Apple iPhone, Palm Treo and Blackberry users enjoy easy access to the Internet from virtually anywhere using their handheld wireless device. This is extremely appealing to travelers who know the importance of staying connected and require the ability to access their email and the web whenever and wherever they happen to be.The drawback to accessing the web using a cell phone or wireless personal digital assistant (PDA) is the small screen, limited keyboard and dramatically scaled down web surfing capabilities these tiny devices offer. As a result, some travelers also travel with a laptop computer, allowing them to access the Internet from wireless (Wi-Fi) hotspots or from hotel rooms.
This solution also has its drawbacks. While most airports and hotels offer high-speed Internet access, it comes at a cost. Airports, Internet cafes, bookstores and coffee shops (including Starbucks) throughout the country often charge a daily fee of between $6.95 and $9.95 to connect to the Web via a wireless hotspot. Hotels typically charge between $9.95 and $19.95 per night to access the Internet from a guestroom. For a traveler constantly on the go, these charges add up quickly. If you opt to use the Business Center within a hotel or resort, you can expect to pay between $.20 and $.50 per minute for internet access, plus up to $2.00 per page to print something out.
For budget conscious web surfers, it is possible to seek out free, public Wi-Fi hotspots and utilize them during your travels. The www.jiwire.com website, for example, offers a listing of more than 150,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide. The www.wifi411.com website also lists public Wi-Fi hotspots that offer free and paid access in cities across America.
The CyberCafes website (www.cybercafes.com) provides an online directory listing thousands of Internet cafes worldwide that allow users to access the Web using supplied desktop computers for a low hourly fee, usually between $5.00 to $10.00 per hour. Most public libraries and Apple Stores across America also offer free Internet access to the public. Using this solution, there’s no need to travel with your own computer.
There is another alternative. For between $49.95 and $79.95 per month, notebook computer users can subscribe to a wireless Broadband service offered by Sprint PCS, T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon. By connecting an inexpensive wireless modem to a notebook computer, true wireless, high-speed (Broadband) access is available from almost anywhere, especially within major cities. No phone lines or extra cables are required, plus you’re not limited to Wi-Fi coverage areas.
When choosing which wireless Broadband Internet service provider to sign up for, don’t just compare the price of the monthly service. It’s also necessary to evaluate the service coverage map and connection speeds offered by each provider. Also, look at the duration of the required service agreement, the cost of the wireless modem, and whether or not unlimited Internet access is granted through the service plan.
For someone who stays in a hotel three to four nights per month, or who needs Internet access while on the go, wireless Broadband Internet is an extremely convenient tool for enhancing productivity and staying connected. For those not on a corporate expense account, utilizing free Wi-Fi- hotspots, Internet cafes and Web access through public libraries continues to be a low-cost option for surfing the Web while on the go.
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