 |
Internet Access on the Move The Internet has revolutionised the way we communicate so it's no surprise that many people want connectivity wherever they are. Of course others just want to get away from all that when they go away but it's really no different than taking a mobile phone, and who would leave home without one of those? |
he surge in growth in affordable laptops and 3G phones has fuelled a demand for instant access to the internet wherever we are. Indeed, if you’re working or running a business then having mobile internet access may make the difference between having to stay at home and getting away in the van.
It’s been possible to have mobile internet access for quite a few years now but prices have been expensive and some have viewed it as a bit of a black art. I’m happy to say that all that has changed and, as a result, interest in the subject is running higher than ever.
There are two main ways of connecting a PC to the internet when mobile. The first is via public Wi-Fi hot spots. There are thousands of these across the UK and even more abroad. Modern laptops are designed to detect them so all you have to do is to fire up your browser (with Wi-Fi enabled) and, if a network is available, it will be displayed. Laptops without a Wi-Fi facility can be converted using a simple plug in Wi-Fi dongle. (see pic)
If you don’t want the trouble of booting your laptop on the off chance of finding a network you can get a cheap Wi-Fi sniffer device that will let you know if any networks are available. Alternatively, if your phone has a Wi-Fi capability, that can tell you too. Most public hotspots levy a charge for use. However, if you subscribe to a service such as BT’s Openzone (£5 per month) this will make thousands available for no extra charge. Alternatively, if you sign up for BT’s Total Broadband package they bundle in 250 minutes of BT Openzone use a month completely free. |
 |
A slowly increasing number of public hotspots are becoming completely free to use. For example most of MacDonald’s 1200 UK restaurants now offer this service, so it need cost you no more than a cup of coffee. Other restaurants and pubs are also getting in on the act as they see the potential for drawing in customers. Some cities too are creating Wi-Fi hotspots. One of the first was Norwich which has 200 antennas positioned around the city, mainly on lampposts. Another is Bristol. Their network stretches from the top of Park Street down to St. Augustine's Parade, the Watershed and some surrounding key roads. It has been live since November 2004.
Before leaving the subject of Wi-Fi hotspots, a word about private hotspots. Not all companies or individuals encrypt their signals so it is sometimes possible to log on to a private hotspot without permission from the owner. However in 2007 two people were arrested in Redditch for doing just that. They were subsequently cautioned for dishonestly obtaining electronic communications services with intent to avoid payment. It’s true that the law is something of a minefield in this area but the best advice has to be to steer well clear!
The problem with Wi-Fi hotspots is that you have to get yourself to one to use it. That’s where access via the mobile phone network comes in. This is the second main way to access the internet when on the move. For many years mobile phones have had the option of what is known as a GPRS connection. With this enabled and the phone connected to a computer it has been possible to send and receive emails and surf the internet. The problem with this set up is that it is slow. There can also be issues connecting the phone to the computer and getting it all to work. (More later.)
 |
On the left is a laptop without Wi-Fi that has been converted using this simple Wi-Fi dongle. On the right the same laptop has been connected to the Internet via a Vodaphone 3G dongle. also referred to as a pebble. |
 |
Enter 3G. You may remember the government auctioning 3G licences a while back. The costs were huge and those who invested are keen to get a return on their money. Basically 3G or 3rd Generation technology facilitates high speed data transfer for things like internet surfing, emails and video phones. Initially costs were high and take up slow so now operators have introduced lower, fixed price, packages to tempt people.
The simplest way to get online with 3G is to purchase a plug in modem or ‘dongle’ such as those offered by 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodaphone. They simply plug into a USB port on the PC, automatically install their own software and go on line. It really could not be simpler. Costs are around £15 per month with the dongle thrown in free for a 12-18 month contract. For this you’ll get the ability to transfer up to 3 gigabytes of data each month – more than enough for most.
There is also a new technology called HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access). This is known by various names including Super 3G, 3G+ and 3.5G. Vodaphone and 3 are amongst those offering it. In theory it offers download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps but in practice speeds are nearer half of this.
 |
On the left a USB extender cable is being used to allow the 3G dongle to hang in the window of the caravan where the 3G signal is better On the right is the Blackberry 8707v 3G smartphone. Email, phone, web browser and text messaging in one neat package. It can also be used as a ‘tethered modem’ in conjunction with a PC. |
 |
If you don’t fancy lugging a laptop around there are now quite a few mobile phones with good internet and email facilities. The most popular are the Blackberry series and Apple’s iPhone. For sheer ease of surfing nothing beats the latest iPhone. However, for business use the Blackberry has the edge with much better email, text entry and contact facilities. Both these phones are now available in 3G versions.
Of course a mobile phone can still be used as a modem and connected to a PC. Firstly though you'll need to make sure that your network operator lets you do this. Beware that some networks charge extra for the privilege. The connection can be via a cable (easy), infra red (easy) or Bluetooth (fiddly). There is also normally a requirement to install proprietary software such as Nokia’s PC Suite. If the phone has 3G capabilities it should be possible to connect at 3G speeds where a suitable signal is available.
If travelling abroad the charges for using a UK dongle can be a bit steep so consider using Wi-Fi hotspots or an internet café. If you really want to push the boat out you could even consider a two way satellite link. They don’t come cheap but I know at least one Club member who has one built in to his motorhome.
Conclusion
If you really must have internet access on the move it’s never been easier or cheaper. Go for it!