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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NAPSI)-Laptop owners looking to connect to the Internet while outside the home until recently had to drive around searching for a coffee shop or library with a wireless "Hot Spot." Thanks to new wireless services being rolled out in cities and towns across America, anyone with a laptop and special accessory card can get on the Internet in their car, in a neighbor's house, at a backyard barbecue, at a job site, a client's office or a restaurant-just about anywhere.
Small-business owners, real estate agents, contractors, outside salespeople and other professionals who must travel around town on business have been among the first to embrace this new technology, which is available from several types of wireless service providers with monthly plans similar to that of cellular phone service plans.
"As a lawyer, this is a powerful tool that enables me to do last-minute case research that previously would have been inaccessible once I was at the courthouse," explains Angela Hermosillo of Boise, Idaho. Hermosillo uses the pc card service from Seattle-based Clearwire, the newest entrant into the mobile Internet market. "I love that I can take Clearwire's pc card anywhere and use it wherever I am to access the Internet."
But sports fans, moms on the go, high school and college students, video gamers and Internet junkies of all stripes are also joining the mobile Internet revolution.
Roller derby enthusiast Sorrell Joshua of Bellingham, Wash., says when her roller derby league sponsored a Walk for Life fundraising event, "we needed Internet information while we were registering participants."
Joshua, also a Clearwire user, explains that she used Clearwire's pc card service to access the Internet and look up the information while at a location that did not otherwise have online access. "It's made a big difference to be able to take my computer everywhere and be able to conveniently use the Internet."
Shopping for the right mobile Internet service plan can be confusing. Use these tips to find a plan and a service that meet your needs.
What to look for when shopping for a mobile Internet service plan:
• Speed: Probably the most important factor in considering a mobile Internet service plan. Average connection speeds available from various service providers range from a low of around 400 kbps (kilobits per second) to a high of around 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second). To get service similar to home broadband, you'll want to be at the upper end of that range.
• Ease of Use: Look for a provider with software that is easy to install on your laptop. Some service providers require complicated installation procedures that can be difficult for most people to follow. Before you buy, make sure your laptop meets the minimum requirements for the software.
• Cost: Service plans range from $59.99 to $80 per month. Keep in mind that the higher-priced plans don't necessarily offer faster service.
• Security: Most Wi-Fi or "Hot Spot" networks do not provide a secure connection; thus, your vital information can be captured by computer hackers. Look for a mobile Internet service provider that offers a secure network.
• Dedicated Network: Most traditional mobile service providers use cellular networks that were designed for voice calls rather than Internet access, so mobile Internet connection speeds can vary widely, resulting in slow page views. Look for a dedicated data network, which offers more consistent connections at higher average speeds.
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