This makes no sense to me. Why wound’t I just bring my own 3G connection via PC card or tehered phone? This would make sense as a free service that was a value add to get me to go with Avis over the competition, but at $11/day . . ?

Jesse

could not agree with you more on this - this is a dumb idea - 3G broadband just might be the new dot com. Anyway it is cheaper to sign-up for the service from VZ and turn your little Mac into a wifi hot spot. I have done it often. Another reason to buy a Mac ;-)

No need to buy a Mac, easily done on XP. See for example (link) .

When traveling, my EVDO-enabled ThinkPad T60p easily becomes a hotspot for my daughter’s ThinkPad T41.

I really don’t understand what’s so special about the service from Autonet Mobile and why the NY Times find it article-worthy.

Here’s what’s special: you don’t need a 3G card, you don’t need a phone, and you don’t need a broadband account with your phone company. I think this service would be great, I would use it one or two weeks a year when I go storm chasing. I don’t even have a wireless phone, to do what you’re suggesting would cost several hundred dollars in equipment plus committing to a wireless data contract for at least a year at some exorbitant rate. Plus, the coverage appears better than any single wireless provider can give.