Connecting to the internet while on the move is not exactly a new concept. For some years now it has been possible to connect via a mobile phone or to log-on to local Wi-Fi networks with via a wireless antenna and pc card.
Using such services has, until recently, been somewhat unreliable, slow and unwieldy.
Nowadays, many new laptop and notebook computers have wireless connectivity built-in and it’s now possible to connect to the internet almost anywhere via Wi-Fi or Mobile Broadband quickly and comparatively easily.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi has been around for a while now although places where you can connect are still very much limited to city centres and major venues.
WiFiThe system is relatively short range and depends upon a local provider, either an office building using it’s own private network or one of the many public access points which are becoming more widespread.
Some of these access points are free to use or dependant upon you patronising an establishment such as Starbucks or McDonald’s.
There are also some public networks which you can subscribe to by paying a monthly subscription or by a one-off payment. There are a few websites which help you to find local access points before you travel which you can check before travelling.
There are many standards of Wi-Fi being used around the world, the most common systems used, however, are 802.11b and 802.11g which are, generally, mutually compatible. The latest standard is 802.11n which is faster and more secure though not widely used, as yet.
Although fairly secure you should always play extra safe when browsing on public networks and ensure that you have decent security software installed and frequently updated.
Connecting to a local Wi-Fi network is generally straightforward once your machine has located a signal. For a free to use service your browser will usually open up your default home page and you will be ready to go. A paid for service will probably take you to a welcome page where you will be given the opportunity to sign up or enter your existing log-in details.
Once you have connected and signed up you’ll probably notice no difference in browsing speeds – in some case it can be actually much faster than the internet service you have at home?
Mobile Broadband
The concept of truly mobile broadband is more an aspiration than a reality at present although the advance of 3G services has brought this ambition a little closer.
Offered by all four major networks 3G broadband is fast and reliable with download speeds of up to 14Mps. Although not quite as fast as domestic broadband it is impressive nonetheless.
Vodafone USB ModemAvailable at present in major population areas and traffic corridors the real advantage with 3G broadband is that you are not restricted in the way you are by Wi-Fi with it’s limited range.
In areas not covered by the 3G network the system will automatically resort to the more widespread GPRS system which, although a lot slower, means that you are rarely without any connection at all.
To connect to the network you will need to subscribe to a 3G broadband service such as Vodafone. You will be supplied with a 3G Modem, or ‘Dongle’ as they have become known, which simply plugs into a USB port – much like a memory stick.
Alternatively you can use a 3G enabled mobile phone connected to your laptop with a USB cable to access the network with your current mobile talk account. While practicable in emergencies or occasional use this can prove to be more costly as the data transfer limits within a regular Talk tariff tend to be quite measly and exceeding these tends to incur quite hefty charges.
There are also some notebook computers which have both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity built-in and although rare, it’s expected to become standard over time.
The cost of using the mobile network to surf the internet can be quite expensive although prices are gradually falling to more reasonable levels I the UK. There are also some providers who offer a pay as go service where you buy the 3G modem and pay for a set amount of data up-front.
This is becoming an increasingly popular option and is particularly attractive if you are an occasional user or just want the option as a back-up rather than for everyday use.