Wireless Internet Options and WiFi Directories
So many services are available to the full-time traveler over the internet today, that the bigger problem can be how do you access the internet. There are many solutions to that problem too. You could go looking for a place that offers internet services, or stay in a RV Park where they offer WiFi Services or one that is "Modem Friendly". There are all sorts of businesses that provide wireless internet connections (Wi-Fi). There are fast food restaurants, such as McDonalds, grocery stores, such as Safeway, Coffee Shops, such as Starbucks, Truck Stops and a host of other businesses that offer Wi-Fi services. Some charge for the service, some offer the service for free.
Another solution might be through a wireless card, your cell-phone or PDA, or through one of the many wireless routers that are now becoming available. Verizon Wireless now offers MiFi, a wireless router, that provides internet access for up to 5 devices. This what we currently have and love it. This allows us both to be connected to the internet at the
same time.
We recently gave up our cable internet at home. We are still monitoring our usage closely until we get used to a cap on our internet usage, because going over the 5 gigabyte limit could get expensive. If we need to upload lots of high resolution pictures or work on large projects, we might have to "borrow" the internet from one of our friends, family or a free hot spot to avoid having overage charges. As long as we don't try to watch streaming video over our MiFi connection, we feel we can stay under our 5 gigabyte limit.Some wireless providers now have Broadband cards with unlimited usage.
We recently gave up our cable internet at home. We are still monitoring our usage closely until we get used to a cap on our internet usage, because going over the 5 gigabyte limit could get expensive. If we need to upload lots of high resolution pictures or work on large projects, we might have to "borrow" the internet from one of our friends, family or a free hot spot to avoid having overage charges. As long as we don't try to watch streaming video over our MiFi connection, we feel we can stay under our 5 gigabyte limit.Some wireless providers now have Broadband cards with unlimited usage.
In the past we had Blackberry Storms through Verizon Wireless. Besides providing us with access to up to 10 email addresses on each phone, we also had an unlimited email and data plan. This allowed us to access the internet on the Blackberry. We really enjoyed having this service. It provided us with quick access to the internet when all we had with us was our cell phone. However, it gets a little tedious when you have heavy duty research or computing. Therefore, we also had a Mobile Broadband Plan that allowed us to use our Blackberry device as a Broadband Card by tethering our laptop to the Blackberry via a wireless bluetooth connection. We liked having this service, as Pam could be using the internet on our laptop as we go down the road, just like with the MiFi Card.
Granted all of these services can get a little pricey, but for some peoplel they are worth the price because they don't have to waste time finding Wi-Fi hot spots. We use our cell phone as our permanent telephone. We gave up having a landline several years ago.
Check out our blog for other articles written about our Blackberry usage and another mobile router..
But just in case you are not interested in any of these options, here are some directories to other Wi-Fi access points:
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Resources for Successfully Living the Mobile Lifestyle
