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wireless internet service
Going Wireless The Basics
By John Austwick
Going the basics
Wanna Go Wireless? Five Essentials on what You Need to Make It Happen
The ability to access the Internet via means has become one of the top selling assets for cell phones. Consider
yourself being out and about, while your real estate business information is locked up tight in the memory of a personal
computer. You know you have your latest client’s information in your e-mail, but unfortunately you are far away from the
office, and you cannot retrieve it from anywhere else. Will you lose that multi-million dollar deal? Will you entrust your
client’s information to someone else? Would it not be wonderful if you could access your e-mail account from the front seat
of your parked car in the mini-mart’s parking lot? Actually, what you need is access and there are five essentials
you need to make it happen:
First and foremost, you will need a cell phone. Believe it or not, cell phones are the most useful gadgets to get on the
Internet. While it is true that many cell phones themselves offer little web browsers, it is also true that they offer
Internet access at data transfer rates of about 14.4 Kbps at best or maybe even less -- sometimes even only in the range of
9.6 Kbps. Computer users will remember that even dial-up Internet service usually operates at about 56 Kbps. Nonetheless,
these little gadgets also have other tricks up their sleeves. When investing in a cell phone, be sure to choose a provider
that offers data services!
Second, you will need a laptop or other notebook computer that runs an operating system that will support your cell phone’s
data services software.
We needed lots of concentration while writing on buying computer as the matter we had collected was very specific and
important.
Third, be sure that your hardware is compatible. For example, will you be using a PC Card as a modem? Check the model
number (usually imprinted on the card itself) against the specifications of the cell phone service provider. Similarly, if
you will use your phone as a modem, again check the model number (usually located underneath the phone’s battery). If your
cell phone service provider does not recognize your choice of modem, it will not be supported by its software, and thus will
be useless to you. Additionally, this hardware cross check will enable you to ascertain what other possible hardware needs
you might be facing, i.e. will you be connecting via a USB port or via a serial port?
Fourth, know your data service provider’s fine print.Not all data service plans are created equal, and the fine print will
spell out the terms, conditions, and costs. For
example, some plans will permit unlimited access while others will not.
Many will only work in certain areas, similar to the cell phone coverage, and if you foresee traveling outside these areas
you may need to sign up with an alternate provider. Other providers may contract with alternate providers to allow for
seamless use, but your will be presented with two bills. Additionally, security issues are quite often on the forefront of
warnings in the fine print, and many data service plans readily admit that they lack encryption, authentication or other
security features. At times, these features may be available at additional cost. You will also need to be sure to
understand access limitations, such as non-connectivity for periods of 90 days or more, or connection limits of 150 uses per
month. Again, all of this is spelled out in the service agreement.
Fifth, and last, secure your alternate power supply! No matter how useful your data services plan is, if your cell phone or
your laptop computer shut down because they run out of power, you will be as bad of as you were before. Fortunately, you may
purchase a car charger (CD adapter/charger) for you cell phone, which will allow you to charge it as you drive. You will
also need to buy a car charger (DC adapter/charger) for your laptop, but since the batteries in these devices may run for
long periods of time, you may need it less, especially if you only use the laptop periodically.
Wireless ready laptops and notebooks only need a phone sim card installing once again be sure your service provider will
allow the access you need.
Alternatively you could pick up a plug in card just add a sim and away you go this eliminates the need for a mobile phone and
2nd charger as it is powered from your laptop. .
In closing, if you have an adapter/charger, a well-rounded data services plan, and compatible equipment and software...you
will travel well!
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