Internet Access while living on the Road...?

Question

How do I get Mobile Internet Access?

I live in Maine and will be traveling from Maine to New York (over n over) thru out the winter. Basically will be living in my van if I am able to find an internet solution :)

What can I use for internet access while on the road? I have a 2003 Dell desktop that will be in my van, is that going to work or do I need something newer?

And how the heck does a 'blackberry' get online?

Thank you :)

oh yeah - should add that at times I will be in remote areas, with no coffee shops and all. But understand that if I am in a city type of space I may find access thru businesses, schools and the like?

Answer 1

I have been fulltime RVing for over four years and have a fairly cheap solution for internet access while traveling. For two years, I carried my laptop to a campground clubhouse, looking for a landline hook-up. Two years ago I heard about T-Mobiles aircard that plugs into a slot on the side of my laptop and gives me a hook-up, dial-up speed, anywhere T-Mobile has a signal.

This card also allows WiFi hook-up where available. We use Flying "J" Truck stops and many state rest stops that provide free WiFi. We paid $100 for our card, two years ago, and pay $29.95 per month, plus 6% sales tax. I have found few places we could not get online and don't worry about looking up a WiFi Hotspot.

My computer, purchased in March 2003, is a Gateway Pentium 4, with 512MB ram and only a 30Gig hard drive. As you can see it's antiquated, but it does the job. It does not have ISB 2 ports so it can't use the latest gear. Christmas will bring a new machine.

I know of many RVers who have state of the art satillite systems and pay in the excess of $100 per month for a connection. As I said, I pay a little over $30 a month for everything, no phone required. Some cell phone providers offer a card that plugs into a ISB port and gives a high speed connection. The cost is more than I wish to pay, $60 to 80 per month.

My ISP is T-Mobile, no e-mail address through them, just Yahoo. You can go to a library and use their computer for a connection. Many areas are stopping that by not allowing e-mail and some won't allow you to use it unless you have a library card.

I drove to Alaska, last year, and had a connection around every large town. We had a hook-up in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Whittier, Seward, Valdez, Skagway, as I said every large town.

This works for me and should for you.

Answer 2

Well, the current standard way to do it is to find a "hotspot," stop there for a while, and use it. This is usually at some kind of business that advertises web access.

More recently, some cell phone companies have been advertising cards that you can put in a laptop for Internet access via the company's data network. Therefore, if you can get phone access, you also can get Internet access. I personally have not used these services yet, but they're out there. Check a mobile provider's website (AT&T, Verizon, etc.)

You may also be able to connect a cell phone to your computer via a USB cable manufactured by your phone company, and use your phone as a sort of modem.

Answer 3

A pocket pc with a data package would work. You could either do what you need to do on the programs on the pocket pc (mine has excel, word and power point), or you could sync the pocket pc with your laptop and send/receive things that way.

Answer 4

wireless internet or ur phone