Who rules the wireless Internet airways over Manhattan for Palm users? OmniSky? Verizon? GoAmerica? Palm.net?

Recently I decided to find out for myself and now I'm here to share that information with you.

First of all, I made an executive decision to rule out Palm.net, since it's exclusively a Palm VII solution and I really wanted to find something that will handle a Palm V or a Palm III. But here's what I discovered about OmniSky, Verizon and GoAmerica.

OmniSky. OmniSky uses a custom-branded Novatel Wireless modem, which attaches to the back of a Palm V or Vx. This doubles the V's weight and thickness but it's still a small wireless solution. The modem lists for $299 but OmniSky is currently offering a $150 rebate on it if you stay with them for at least six months.

	Palm V with Omnisky modem

The OmniSky software installation is relatively painless although it does take some time. You can even install OmniSky on a Mac (see the OmniSky website for specific instructions for Mac users.) During the installation, you can configure up to six email accounts in addition to the account you receive from OmniSky. Once the software is installed and configured, simply hook up the modem and you're off.

The pricing plan is of the unlimited "all you can eat" variety, which costs $39.99 per month. Unlike other plans, OmniSky has no minimum contract.

Technical support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For the most part, I found them to be knowledgeable and friendly.

OmniSky makes no bones about the fact that they want to become the "AOL of wireless". To that end, their content is quite impressive and varied. It works well in most of the metropolitan New York City area. However, if you stray too far from a major city you may have some problems.

My major peeve with OmniSky is its use of AT&T as its CDPD provider. In my opinion, AT&T generally seems several years behind the technology curve. For instance, my IP address got dumped by their service and it took two days for them to restore it and then another two days to get my email working.

Also, OmniSky doesn't give you an option to turn off the images in the browser, which would shorten page loading time. And if any of you are fans of Actual Software's MultiMailPro, you'll have to learn to live without it.

Still, for a 19.2 kbps service, it's fairly peppy.

GoAmerica. GoAmerica is in some ways as good if not better than OmniSky. For one thing, GoAmerica supports Palm III's, while OmniSky doesn't. And GoAmerica offers a wider menu of wireless hookups, including wireless cards for laptops and RIM/Blackberry units (more on those next week). Like OmniSky, they have extensive content, easy set up, and the ability to support multiple email accounts. Also, its browser can be run in text-only mode, which can help to reduce the time it takes to display web pages.

	RIM Pager

Big peeve? Price. GoAmerica's unlimited service is $54.99/month ($49.99 for a Palm V) with a one-year minimum contract. They have a "lite" plan but, trust me, any serious user will exceed the unlimited monthly price quickly. A Palm V modem is $299 and you get a $100 rebate after one year with OmniSky.

Tech support is 24/7 and courteous but not quite as fast as OmniSky. Also, reception can be a problem outside of the big city. Like OmniSky, GoAmerica outsources its wireless (depending on device) to AT&T or BellSouth Wireless's network. Again, a potential problem when a technical issue pops up.

All things considered, GoAmerica is a solid service but lots of chutzpah on that price tag.

	Verizon Web Phone

Verizon. Like GoAmerica, Verizon (formerly Bell Atlantic Mobile) gives you a wireless smorgasbord of Palm III's, V's and wireless laptop cards. You can get an "all you can eat " plan for $39.99 but you need a two-year contract to get it, otherwise it's $54.99. However, they are the only of the three to offer an email only plan without browsing for $24.99/month.

Verizon's set up is not terribly complicated but the documentation is poor. As for content and email, forget it. You get HandWeb and HandMail, which in my opinion are fairly inferior browsing and email programs, as well as minimal to no content.

However, one big plus for Verizon is its national distribution as well as the ability to fix all technical problems in house. In this case, a dropped IP address took all of 10 minutes to correct.

Reception outside of the city is somewhat superior to GoAmerica or OmniSky but not by much. Technical support is fast, friendly but not 24/7. One plus for Verizon is that you can easily switch your IP from one device (for example, a Palm modem) to another (for example, a PC card) with a phone call. If you want the luxury of two separate devices to function simultaneously, it'll cost you double. Also, with the use of Venturi compression software, browsing on a laptop with an AirCard can actually get you up to around 33.6kbps rather than 19.2.

Bottom line. Overall, based on content, performance and price, I'd have to give OmniSky the nod for now. However, if your preference is for wireless laptop capability, then you may want to consider Verizon.

Bear in mind that at these prices and functionality, none of this is a true necessity.

However in my next column on the Blackberry, this all changes.