Going Mobile with Wi-Fi

Loading Software Before You Go

As an experienced road warrior, it is likely that you already know what software to load into your laptop (or PDA) before you leave. It's still worth observing that there is no guarantee that you will be able to access the Internet just because you have Wi-Fi–enabled equipment. You need to plan to be self-sufficient. This means loading the software you'll need before you go. At a minimum, you should probably bring on your computer or PDA:

• Drivers and related software for your Wi-Fi card
  

• Wi-Fi hotspot directory information (

• Software to access a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if your company operates one. if it requires special software.

• An Internet browser.

• An email program such as Outlook.

• All of the general software you will need, including contact management, word processing, presentation, and any specialized software related to your job or interests.

There's nothing more inconvenient than arriving in a strange city for an important meeting, and finding you don't have the one piece of software you need. So think carefully before you leave, and be sure to load anything you think you might even possibly need.

Also, particularly if you are going to be doing a lot of flying, be sure to load some recreational programs (such as music, video, or games) before you leave home.

Taking Hotspot Info with You The perfect road warrior carries information he might need with him. For example, as you probably know if you've been on the road a great deal, it can be a lifesaver to have toll-free numbers for hotels and airlines handy. In a similar spirit, when you travel with a Wi-Fi–enabled computer or PDA, you should certainly obtain information about Wi-Fi hotspots before you leave.

Where Is Wi-Fi Likely to Be? The answer, at least in a few years, is that Wi-Fi will be everywhere. Being able to connect to the Net wherever one wants will seem as natural as being able to breathe. Perhaps the right to surf without wires will rank right up there with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (not to mention the right to chug down the freeway in a giant-size gas-guzzling vehicle).

You can find Wi-Fi in all kinds of unlikely places (see the sidebar "The Web Is a Global Village" for an example).

THE WEB IS A GLOBAL VILLAGE

A number of villages in northeastern Cambodia use Wi-Fi in an unusual way to connect with the Internet. Five men on mountain motorbikes connect these villages, which are otherwise too remote for Internet access, with the world. Each motorbike is equipped with a rugged portable computer equipped as a Wi-Fi access point.

Internet search queries and email are stored on the portable devices when each bike drives past solar-powered stations near the villages, which are linked to the villages using standard Ethernet cabling. Then the content is "dropped-off," again using Wi-Fi technology, when the bike goes past a central satellite station that connects to the Internet.

The same process in reverse brings email (and answers to queries) back to the villages.

I Want to Be a Hotspot Well, I don't think you really want to be a hotspot—but perhaps you might want to put one up so others could use it. If you run any kind of small business, this might make a great deal of sense. By way of comparison, Schlotzsky's, Inc., which runs deli restaurants, has stated that adding free Wi-Fi to its shops adds more than $100,000 revenue for each store per year (through added purchasing by customers who come to the store for the Wi-Fi hotspot, or who stay longer than they otherwise would). You might also want to put up a Wi-Fi hotspot simply as a service to your fellow humans (believe it or not, this kind of altruism has largely sparked the growth of Wi-Fi!). The technical aspects of putting up a Wi-Fi hotspot, meaning the hardware infrastructure required, don't differ that much from putting up a Wi-Fi network for personal or business use. To start with, you need a broadband connection. If you are planning to resell access via a Wi-Fi hotspot, most cable and DSL providers will require you to buy a commercial-grade account (rather than a personal use account).

Wi-Fi Networks

The national U.S. networks and provides telephone numbers and Web addresses. This contact information may be useful if you want to do further research, or if you decide you want to sign up with a specific network. It could also help if you are traveling to an area that is particularly well served by a specific provider.

Special Pricing, Good and Bad

You should be aware that there are likely to be all kinds of special pricing deals when you sign up for Wi-Fi access. Mostly, this is all to the good.

For example, most establishments that provide fee-based Wi-Fi access also have some special, introductory offers. In this spirit, it is typical to find a coupon at Starbucks good for a one-day pass on T-Mobile Hotspot.

However, you should also know that some Wi-Fi networks allow individual hotspot operators who are part of their network to charge more than the standard network price for access. For example, the business model of the SurfHere network is one in which it is more important to support hotspot providers than it is to create a national network for individuals. So SurfHere is quite clear that many of its hotspot providers can (and do) charge more than the standard network fees. If the location charges more than the standard network fee, your credit card will be billed for the overage.

Comparison Shopping Don't be thrown by the complexities of all the different Wi-Fi pricing models. It's not really as complicated as it may seem. As a practical matter, the first time you use a Wi-Fi hotspot, you'll probably take advantage of a promotional offer, or buy one-time (or pay as you go) access. It's a good idea to stay uncommitted for a while, and to try a variety of different networks. So start with one-off usage, and get a feel for a number of the Wi-Fi hotspot networks. You should make note of locations, access speeds, and how good the customer service is. After you've used a number of Wi-Fi hotspots, you should begin to get the sense of your usage patterns, and you may be ready to sign up for an extended payment plan by the month (or even an annual contract). If you keep a log showing your actual usage and compare it to pricing explained in this section, you may be able to come up with the best pricing comparison.