Those usb wireless internet card things ...?

My father's been pushing me to find a more budget friendly alternative to our current internet situation. We're connected with a DSL modem, it's not wireless.
He's been asking me about the usb wireless internet cards that he's seen on TV, like the ones that AT&T promote in their "find the internet everywhere" commercials.
Now, I'm finding that the service for these cards is more expensive then what we're paying now, so we probably won't be purchasing this sort of service any time soon, but I am confused as to what exactly it is.
I'm assuming that if I had one of these cards that I could get rid of the box that's connected to the wall (the modem that I connect my computer to to get the internet). But as I'm researching this I'm finding that there are "wireless internet cards" cards that allow older computers to connect to wireless modems (something that my computer can do... that most new computers can do). I would think that these wireless internet cards are different from the wireless internet devices that I'm looking for. (but maybe they're not?) I'm really confused.
If anyone could shed some light on these cards I'd be grateful Thank you!

GfulDedFan wrote:
The wireless internet cards are different. They, for all practical purposes, are a cellphone of sorts that you attach to your computer and then it dials into the network (AT&T's, Verizon's, Sprint, etc.) and provides you with internet service just like a cellphone gives you phone service. They work just about anywhere again just like a cellphone.
AT&T's Laptop Connect cards seem to be primarily in the ExpressCard form factor, which Apple only supports in the MacBook Pro right now. They also have the older PC Cards that might work with older Apple notebooks (I think). Then there's the USB version.
http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/solutions/wireless-laptop/modem-cards .jsp?WT.svl=calltoaction
This seems to be designed for business customers. I couldn't find anything suggesting that this is made available to the regular consumer market.

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