3G/4G laptop connected Mobile Data Thingie?

[nikoneko]

I'm gonna be on the train a bunch and traveling around the next two weeks with my family visiting and also need to put in hours at work and I can't work without internet access. Have thought I may be able to get in some hours on the laptop and save my self the stress of working so much late at night to keep up. Anybody have any experience with this here? Basically I need to have the laptop connected into the mobile network so I can work from absolutely anywhere, not just finding wifi hotspots. We are Softbank and I am looking at these right now: http://www.softbank.jp/mobile/product/data_com/

Any thoughts or ideas or anything appreciated, gonna make a decision before Monday hopefully.

[nikoneko]

Oh and speed is not a huge concern, coverage is more important than that.

[wagyl]

No personal experience, just pointing out that the Japan Mobile Tech blogs http://www.japanmobiletech.com/ are pretty good at accumulating information, including the virtual network operators which may be more suitable to your needs.

[Coligny]

Softbank is always worrysome for the coverage... We play cross-safe for keitai, me and dad on AU, Me Julie and Mom with softbank... the softbank team is always left behind...

Also, the AU pocket wifi device (at least for 3G) were Huawei model directly supported by the maker, near BYOB... Which allow usually to have easy firmware upgrade and community support, since you are not stuck with a custom shit from the service provider who's support end when you open the wrapping...

[nikoneko]

Thanks guys for the info. I looked at it now and it looks like Softbank is not perfect but better now with their Platinum stuff (which is really 900mhz rebranded but has actually worked for me quite a bit.) So basically as far as I can tell with them it goes 4g, fall back on 3g, then into PURATICHIMUM BANDO (insert dog and/or SMAP song) which is just fine. If it works out on timing tomorrow when I am in Osaka, I know the area and will hit them up and ask how much is it a month basically. Big if though depends on when I wake up and when I hit the train and if I make the consulate appointment and how long my fam has to wait at Kansai Airport for me to get there lol.

(I will no matter what it takes though grab one of those Godiva chocolate drink thingies which are insanely overpriced but like shooting drugs into your veins. It's my Kansai airport ritual and makes it all worthwhile. Ahhhh.)