Just got a shiny new Android Moto phone. Thanks for your input, all. I think I'll be good.... need to work with it a bit and try out that PdaNet+ app.

I'll update the thread once I get it working or not. I was offered a lot of other options at the various cell provider storefronts today, but they all kind of suck (money, if nothing else...) All those Salesmen and wanna-be contract lawyers... Yikes. T-Mobile seemed to have the most competitive offers, but I think I'll stick with my current provider for now. It's multi-network, so it may be the best option for maintaining connectivity in the event of a blackout, anyway. It will have the flexibility to choose the tower with internet access over the one with just basic voice because it isn't tied to a single network.

Cheers,
jetsam