Is the need for an "International" SIM Card ending?

[Grampa]

Originally Posted by snidely

3. There is now a service from Sprint in the U.S. where you can get unlimited data via wifi over their 3G network. You get a small "wifi card" (a little bigger than a pack of cigarettes) and can connect up to 5 devices to its wifi signal as long as they are within 10 meters.

There was an article in Wednesday's NYTimes about a similar card/service from Virgin Mobile (using the Sprint Network): http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/02/te...0mobile&st=cse

The cost of the service is $40 per month, with no contract required. I believe there are options for shorter periods. For someone traveling with an iPhone, for example, there are plenty of soft phone options that would allow calling and internet access for the entire family using such a "MiFi" device. Of course, it's another device to carry, battery life is not ideal, receiving calls is tricky when the iPhone is shut off, etc. But it is definitely promising.