AT&T USBConnect Mercury Broadband USB Modem (AT&T)

by Mercury

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 1.3 x 0.5 inches ; 2.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001F51LNE
• Item model number: USBConnect
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,850 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)
  • #5 in Cell Phones & Accessories > Mobile Broadband > USB Modems

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exceeded my expectations, November 12, 2009

By 

David Carswell (DC Metro Area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AT&T USBConnect Mercury Broadband USB Modem (AT&T) (Wireless Phone)

First off, in the interest of full disclosure: this is the only device of this type I have owned. In the past, I've tethered to my Blackberry/Motorola, but that's a different beast entirely. So, my point is, this review reflects my experience with this device vs. my expectations, not a comparison with other, similar devices.

The Mercury is substantially faster than I anticipated; much faster than tethering through a phone. It will be nowhere near as fast as your cable modem of FIOS, nor as fast as your DSL ... but it will be substantially faster than dial up, always-on, and plenty quick enough for web, email, chat/IM, and such. It is reliable, extremely well-built/durable, and easy to use. However, I did have some problems initially, so let me share my experiences and fixes, as they seem to be related to those some reviewers are noting.

1) Go to Sierra Wireless's website, and download their "3G Watcher" application. It works much better than the "AT&T Communications Manager" that ships with the device (if you buy it from AT&T). This is the first solution that AT&T Tech Support suggested when I called with problems.

2) Be sure you know how much bandwidth you're using. My experience: when I was suffering random disconnects, it was because the service was kicking me because I was saturating the link. Why? Update managers, malware ... you name it. Be sure you turn automatic updates for everything OFF ... for Java, for Google, expecially for Windows ... for anything that might want to download stuff in the background. (Do your updates at home or some such where you have a true broadband connection.) Similarly, ensure that your machine is clean of adware, malware, virii, etc. These often generate significant net traffic as well.
Taking care of these will also keep you from getting random disconnects, it will help prevent you from hitting your monthly transfer limit.

5GB/mo is a *lot* for checking email, surfing the web, etc. I haven't gone over yet ... but I've come close, when I spent several days downloading software all day, after a new system install. If you want to download or stream movies, lots of music, or lots of software ... 5GB might be tight. If you want to check email, surf the web, etc., it should be plenty.

Once I took care of 1 and 2, I have had not a single problem ... I love it. The onboard micro sdhc reader is a huge bonus ... I installed portable versions of FireFox, Thunderbird, Pidgin, an a couple of other network utilities, so as long as I have the modem, I have the tools I need. The card also has a port for an external antennae, which is nice ... I'm thinking of buying one, because my signal in my office is so-so.

So, in short: ensure that you're managing your bandwidth usage carefully, including background/automatic downloads, ensure that your intended application is appropriate for the device, and be sure your expectations are reasonable ... and I believe that you'll be very happy with the device and the service.

UPDATE
I forgot to mention ... when I bought this item in an AT&T store, I had it working on my HP Mini netbook running Ubuntu Linux before the sales guy had run up the sale. It Just Worked.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Livin in the Sticks... No Internet... Buy this and a KR2, January 4, 2009

By 

Timothy S. Young - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AT&T USBConnect Mercury Broadband USB Modem (AT&T) (Wireless Phone)

I plugged this into a Kyocera KR2 Router to create a WiFi Network at my house using ATT 3G Digital Network. It is working great. I have a secure network via a WEP Key and can now get transfer rates around 250 to 350 kb/sec. This is 10x better than my dial up which is all that is available in my area. However, if you do not have 3G, don't bother doing what I tried. You are just as well off with dial-up as you are without 3G. The best thing is that I can take it with me on vacation and have my own personal wi-fi spot wherever I go!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dont, just dont., November 14, 2009

By 

Sean P. Mckenzie (Wichita, Kansas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AT&T USBConnect Mercury Broadband USB Modem (AT&T) (Wireless Phone)

Its a big, heavy device that will hinder using your other USB when this is plugged in. It is incredibly slow, unless you are coming from dial up, you will pull your hair out waiting. It will drop you, for no reason, over and over. Thats if you're lucky enough to get it to connect in the first place. Those things don't sound real bad until you find out how much AT&T is charging you to use it. Dont do it.