Can I Get Comcast 2Go With a Netbook?

Netbooks are great for travel, and adding 3G/4G improves this function.

Comcast's mobile Internet service, once called Comcast 2Go, is now available under the name Xfinity Internet 2Go. Xfinity Internet 2Go allows access to 3G and 4G mobile network from any computer with a free USB port. The service comes with a monthly fee, and can be used on any computer, including a netbook, that meets the minimum system requirements.

About XFINITY Internet 2Go

The Xfinity Internet 2Go service has three levels: the Nationwide service, which offers 3G service; the Nationwide Preferred service, which provides 3G and 4G service; and the Metro service, which is exclusively for 4G. The 3G service reaches about 1.4 Mbps for download speeds, while the 4G service reaches up to 6 Mbps. When choosing a service, it mostly depends on what meets your needs in regards to your location, your budget and your travel habits.

Coverage Areas

You can check the Xfinity Internet 2Go coverage map to see if the service is available in your area. The 3G service is available primarily on the East Coast and down into the South, through the Eastern half of the Midwest, through the Southwest and up along the West Coast. The states with the least 3G coverage are Nevada, Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas. These states are mostly covered for roaming 3G, but roaming costs significantly more on top of the monthly service fee. 4G service is central to major urban areas, including -- but not limited -- to New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

System Requirements

To use the Xfinity Internet 2Go dongle with your netbook, you will need to meet the minimum system requirements. Xfinity Internet 2Go supports Windows XP with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista with a minimum of Service Pack 2 and Windows 7, as well as Mac OS X 10.5 and higher. If you have a netbook that runs Linux, you will not be able to use the Xfinity Internet 2Go dongle. You will need at least one free USB port. The dongle officially supports Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Apple's Safari.

Use With Netbook

If you go ahead with Xfinity Internet 2Go for your netbook, you can set up your service using the Comcast website. First install the required software on your netbook. The software comes as a CD, so unless you have an external optical drive for your netbook you will need to download the software from the Comcast website. Plug the dongle into your netbook and give it a moment to connect. After a few minutes you will be able to access the Internet without any further setup.

References

• Comcast: Minimum System Requirements for XFINITY Internet 2go Mobile Broadband Device
• Comcast: XFINITY Internet 2Go: Mobile Internet from Comcast
• Comcast Voices: Comcast High-Speed2Go Begins Rollout in Portland
• Comcast: Comcast Launches Personal 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot With Xfinity Internet 2go
• Comcast: How Do I Know Which XFINITY Internet 2go Service is Best for Me?
• Comcast: How Do I Get Started Using XFINITY Internet 2Go?

Resources

• Comcast Xfinity Internet 2Go: Coverage Map