Don,

   I just switched off my 1x service with Alltel and went with the AC plan
on a VZW Moto T720. VZW has a much larger network and works more
consistently in my area (Tampa). I was on the beta testing of the Alltel
plan in March, but they were never able to confirm how, or if, roaming would
work.

   EN won't work with your StarTac (or mine, alas).

   I am not familiar with the VX 4400. I got my cable and modem from
http://www.canyonriver.com. I bought the original Motorola software and then
followed links on the Motorola website for a necessary update to get it to
work with Express Network. The links sometimes don't work, but by searching
for True Sync on the Motorola site, a usable link will eventually emerge.

   My two T720's (one Alltel I use for voice and the VZW for data) have
worked ok (though volume is a bit low). Many others have been very
disastified with this phone.

   If you can find one, the Audiovox 9500 is highly regarded, but I am not
sure of the software and cable options. I know they are available from the
vendors below, but have not used them. It is sold by Alltel as a Toshiba.
You might be able to get one from them and have it activated on VZW.

   Another source of cables is http://www.thesupplynet.com and a source for
software is http://www.smithmicro.com. There are a number of other software
packages and cables out there, but I have used all this stuff successfully
and the vendors seem fine. One annoynace to both the Moto and Smith Micro
software is that they haven't bothered to get their drivers signed for use
with Windows XP. It works, but I really am irked that they are too cheap to
get their stuff verified as being compatible. I always fear (and rightfully
so in some cases) that such software witll cause problems.

   Express Network is very nice. I works better than dialup in most of the
places I work.