With smartphones poised to bypass PCs in sheer numbers, you might wonder if it’s time to start doing a lot more of your business with one. SmallBusinessComputing.com takes a look at some of the things you’ll want to consider before doing so.

One of the first is the connection your carrier provides:

 …you may or may not have access to the fastest kind of data connection, known as 3G (for third generation). A 3G network is an important prerequisite to smartphone use because it provides an Internet connection fast enough to handle tasks like Web browsing, e-mail and file downloads, multimedia streaming, etc.

3G network performance varies — Verizon and Sprint use EV-DO technology, while AT&T and T-Mobile use HSPA — but it’s generally in the range of 400 kbps to 1 Mbps (or more) for downloads, compared to around 100 kbps for non-3G connections. While you can make do without a 3G connection in some cases, without one, your thumbs will likely spend more time twiddling than typing.

Of the four national carriers, Verizon provides the widest 3G coverage (in terms of geography, not necessarily population), followed by Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile. Regardless of which  carrier you have or are considering, you’ll want to be sure that 3G is available in your area and anywhere your employees frequently travel.

Other areas the article cover include email anywhere, tethering (using your smartphone as a wireless modem), operating systems that are available and ergonomics.You can read the whole thing here.