Sierra Wireless USBConnect U305 3G USB Modem - AT&T

This modem is much better than the one I used to use. I switched from a T Mobile usb modem to this brand new Sierra Wireless one. It comes unlocked, even though it says it is not in the product description. (At lease mine was unlocked). I use it when I travel abroad, and it works perfectly. The only downside I have noticed is that it eats battery life. I have a netbook that is supposed to get around 8-10 hours of battery life, which it does. However, when this is plugged into it, I only get around 4-5 hours of battery life. Otherwise, I think it is great. It comes with the ATT Communication manager on the device itself, and auto-installs when you plug it in. It also has a Micro SD Card reader, I do not use it, but some people find it helpful. It saves a USB port so you can use it as a USB Memory stick and a USB Modem at the same time. As of now, I have not had any problems with at all. I do not expect to have any.

First off the Modem works well (or as well as the signal will allow). Installation was fairly easy - had to download the software from AT&T instead of reconizing the device and self installation.My only problem is with AT&T. I had a regular data plan for my smart phone and hoped that I could use this with my sim while I was on vacation. Nope. It worked but AT&T sends you a bunch of messages saying that you need a different plan (extra $45 / month), and then changed my plan to accomidate the modem and not my phone. Once I call AT&T they restored my orginal plan.That said, if you want celular modem coverage, you need the modem and another Data plan.

I bought this thing thinking it would be good to have 3G on my tablet computer. It never worked correctly and when I uninstalled the software, my internet stopped working completely. I took it to a local AT&T store & the technician worked on it for more than an hour and could not get my internet reconnected again without reinstalling the AT&T Commincations Manager software that came with this aircard. He said it was a common problem and there was no fix. Needless to say, unless you want to permanently damage your internet connection, don't install this device on your computer. I bought the AT&T Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G instead and it works perfectly...comes with a 2 year contract but it is quick and will support up to 5 PCs at the same time...a much better buy than this aircard.

I started to give this 5 stars, then realized I'd been unhappy with and confused by the documentation. The modem does what it says it will, once it's set up with an AT&T SIM card & service (and that's the part that needs to be clearer).Obviously, I knew I'd need a SIM card and service, but was unclear about the steps I'd need to take to get going.Once I tracked down someone at AT&T who knew what they were talking about, it was clear sailing.The other issue I'd point out is that the software (drivers and AT&T Communication Manager) needs to be "installed" before every use (including the PC waking up from hibernation).This may be a quirk of the Windows 7 (64 bit) I was running on. I have not looked into this further, so this problem may have a simple resolution. For now, I've chosen to live with it.Bottom line, I have no regrets about this purchase; it was a worthwhile investment.

Doesn't work without a SIM card and of course they didn't tell you that.

I bought this device for a backup in case my older Sierra 305 dies, tried to see if this newer device works, come to find out you can not just put in an AT&T active SIM card and be connected as stated, all AT&T devices need to be activated with the device IME number, and since my older Sierra 305 data connect modem is still working I am not sure if this one works or not, will just have to wait and hope for the best, do not want to go round and round with AT&T switching out IME numbers in case this one does not work, the seller(s) really need to make it clear that AT&T need to call with the new IME number to make there device work....UPDATE..... after writing this review and contacting the selling of the issue, they were awesome and responded with wanting to give me a full refund on this device, I am refusing the refund, that was not my intent, I am still going to keep it trusting it to work in the future when my old modem dies, I do deeply appreciate the offer, and would seriously buy again from this selling in the future..... HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Still trying to find a way to use it without needing a contract with a monthly fee. Seller gave me some good tips so I'll wait and see if they work. Update later.

Device is heavy and is very well constructed. The jointed USB hinge is very useful in many situations. I use the Sierra Wireless branded wireless software and is better than the at&t branded software suite. If you are using this with a mobile phone SIM (not a data-only SIM) the APN's are widely available on the web and do work. I am using this with my iPhone SIM, personally. I get pretty good signal strengths and tested with DSL reports getting very good speeds (greater than tethering to an iPhone,) rating in the megabytes per second. I am very satisfied with this product and have already recommended it to several colleagues.One thing to note; The vendor I purchased this from advertised it as new but it arrived in non-manufacturer packaging (some generic cell phone package) and was without the USB extension and display mounting clip that would have otherwise been provided with a new and manufacturer packaged item.