Getting Internet Access While On The Go

If you are anything at all like me, the one thing you simply cannot live without is access to the internet. For the mobile professional, particularly folks like service technicians or sales reps, having a convenient means to stay connected is simply a must. Here are a few ways you can stay on the grid while you’re out on the grind.

Use Your Cellphone

Tethering is essentially using your cellphone as a modem through which your laptop can connect and receive Internet access. Most major mobile phone service providers offer data plans specifically for tethering at rates that are typically lower than a full blown wireless data plan. The advantage of using tethering as your on-the-go Internet access method is that you can get online wherever you have reasonable wireless coverage and you won’t need to pickup a wireless broadband card to make it all happen. Not every smartphone supports tethering and you will need to have the proper drivers installed on your laptop before connecting. In most cases you’ll need to connect your laptop & phone together by using a data cable or via Bluetooth. New phones can act as a wireless hot spot (usually for up to five devices) which means you can connect any Wi-Fi enabled device to the internet through your cellular data plan. Please be certain that your wireless provider offers tethering and that your phone supports it before striking out on the road.

Get a Wireless Data Plan

Option number two is to a get wireless data plan and a USB powered wireless broadband card for your laptop. The upside here is. Also growing in popularity are mobile hotspots. Providers like Virgin Mobile and Sprint now offer hotspot devices that support multiple simultaneously connected devices. Great if you’re in a team or need access from another device like a phone or tablet.

Find a Local Wifi Hotspot

The only other thing that irks me more than not having Internet is Miami traffic. So for the days when I know I won’t beat rush hour, I pull into one of many cozy spots around town that I can work out of until the vehicular madness is over. Wifi hotspots continue to grow in popularity at venues such as restaurants, coffee shops and malls. Chain stores like Starbucks, Panera, McDonalds, Barnes & Noble and countless others offer Wifi access so if you bounce around the city each day, you should never be to far from a free Wifi hotspot.

Shameless plug: We also install and configure Wireless hotspots, so your restaurant/shop can have a branded portal page and access time restrictions while providing your customers convenient and secure access to the net. Contact us to learn more.

Bust Out Your Mobile Phone

Sounds like a no brainer, but when all else fails simply use your smartphone to access the net. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve used my phone to find information while sitting on a train or in a waiting room. When you’re on the go you’ll learn quickly what type of information you frequently seek out, and there are tons of applications available so you can conveniently interface with your most used online services. Mobile browsers have also improved drastically and so has the surfing experience.

Bonus: Sharing Internet Through Your Laptop

Ok, so unfortunately this extra tidbit only works on Windows 7. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have access to a wired connection for your laptop, but no wireless network for your phone or tablet to connect to, look no further than Connectify. Building upon some unfinished functionality that Microsoft included in Windows 7, Connectify allows you to use your laptop as a wireless hotspot and share any network connection with other devices so they won’t be left out.