how do i connect to the internet with a laptop computer wirelelssly and when travelling?

Question

a friend of mines about to purchase a laptop computer how do you connect to the internet when travelling what do ya have to do to get internet

the person is an over the road truck driver who wiill be on the go everyday

i am part of a team the person not driving wants to play on the computer

Answer 1

Long-distance wireless internet is a new technology. Wireless internet connections, at best, work up to 30 miles from the ISP's office, so he could only access the internet if he stayed within a few miles of the ISP.

The technology to expand it over many many miles will become available over the next few years.

Answer 2

Two ways...

1) You can connect to wireless hotspots. These places are like bars, coffee shops, some truckstops, etc. This isn't very practical since your coverage is severely limited. But in most cases connecting to these hotspots are free.

2) If your friend uses a cell phone and has a wireless provider like Verizon or SprintPCS, you can then buy a wireless card that pops into your laptop and allows you to connect to the Internet as long as you have a signal. This should be virtually anywhere you get cell phone signal. This would be the ideal decision but will be an added package onto the cell phone plan. You will have to both purchase the wireless card for the laptop AND buy the service.

Answer 3

To my knowallage the most reliable method to connect to the internet when on the move is to use a mobile phone as the Modem. Please Note: I Live in the UK and my examples are what I've seen.

As several operators, Like Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone, offer a "Data" Option, and . Some operators sell a card that will fit in to Laptops that just connects to internet over the Mobile phone network. I would ask the companies for the best deal.

Most New phones and Laptops have Bluetooth, and Bluetooth can be used to connect laptop to phone. You can then probably go on line. As each operators use a different log on method, you may need to contact the operator.

There are some PDA Phones that can be access internet like a laptop, such as T-Mobile UK's MDA (Windows Mobile 5) using a version of Internet Explorer. (There is a Alpha version of Minimo, aka "Firefox PDA", but it is lacking functions). But the screen size is noticeably smaller than a Laptops. I recommend it for text only emailing.

If the Motorway Service station's Food hall, has a Wi-fi hotspot, you can connect to it, and it is faster that Most Mobile Phones are. There will be a sign up about it, but please note that the sign may be small. Also note that charges may apply and you will be informed when you connect.

(My understanding of UK law, requires you to Look at the road, not type on the laptop.) (I don't drive)

Answer 4

I suggest your friend delay his/her purchase 'till some issues are resolved. Firstly: establishing an internet connection using WiFi technology is simple and easy if the computer is so equipped AND if it will be used near a free WiFi provider, i.e. some McDonalds locations/some Starbucks locations/some municipal libraries, ect. Secondly, but considerably more expensive, would be to use cellular technology. This requires a computer with a built in air card slot, the purchase of an air card from Verizon, Sprint, Cingular or what have you, and payment of the monthly service fees. For existing computers without the air card slot, I believe free standing hardware is available and would require a USB port. My computer is a Dell laptop which was built with a mini card slot. It works well enough, but I had to purchase my air card device from Dell. I use it with Verizon. The usage fee is $59.00 per month for unlimited time. Works great.

Answer 5

Well, if he wants internet access when he's actually driving down the road, he's gotta go with Verizon, or some other cellular access system - it'll work wherever your cell phone would. It's pretty expensive. Beyond that, if he just has a WiFi card built into the laptop (Virtually impossible to buy one without it these days) then, when he gets to the truckstop, or McDonalds' or whatever, they usually have wireless internet on site, and he'll be on line with that.

Answer 6

Since you are on the road so much I would suggest getting what is called an air card, which works on cell phone technology and boast high speed internet access up to 1 mb. You can find these most everywhere cell phones are sold, there will be an additional charge though.

If you are just looking for wi fi hot spots I would do a google search on where you can find free wi fi in the country or even city you will be in.

Answer 7

i think of you will truthfully choose a instant router with the intention to create a close by community or get a small hub/splitter with too greater Ethernet cables (Unplug the cord it quite is presently utilized on your pc laptop >> Plug it in between the ports on the hub>> Plug the different 2 cables one for the laptop and yet another one for the pc laptop;... and there you would be related on the two desktops. i'm going to truthfully suggestion you to get a instant router reason you ought to have much less wires and you may locate one for a useful value. pass on Amazon or something....

Answer 8

If you have a wireless card you can connect to any wireless internet access point as long as it's not secured. Depending on your friend's location, there could be multiple access points or none. I hope this helps!

Answer 9

if he has a wireless internet card-that plugs into the side of your laptop- you can pull up to next to hotels in their parking lots and use their internet for free and its pretty good speed too.