wireless mobile internet? what do i need?

[Soundguy]

As if I don't have enough work to do, a few of us just got laptops at work ( so we can work those last few minutes that we weren't working at lunch /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif.... As well as a few new pc's i need to setup as work stations. ( I'll never figure out this place.. we go from -0- budget whatsoever to even repair the old pc's we have.. then someone brown noses .. and shazam.. they have new hardware.. and then.. right during the time I'm finishing end of year work.. I have to do all this other computer reconfiguring.... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

One of the employee's has convinced the boss he needs internet while on the road.. to look up parts manuals and order from vendors online.. etc. Ok.. What do I need here? We have a laptop I ordered for him ( though may exchage it for a beefier one if needed )..

What hardware / service is required. I'm running blind on the stuff without wires.. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I'm on a couple day time limit to get this stuff ordered as well..(help )

Soundguy

 

[BB_TX]

Are you talking about on the road as in overnight hotel stays or on the road as in the car using a cell phone connected to the computer?

 

[Soundguy]

As in the laptop setting out on top of a broken down piece of heavy equipment, and the mechanic there looking up parts manuals and ordering parts online.


The mechanic, who sold the boss on this, told him his sone had a mobile wireless internet connection, thru t-mobile? but didn't mention using a cell phone.... is there a pcmcia card that has the cellular connection built in?

Soundguy

 

[mikim]

Yeah - they have wireless modems for laptops -- we just used one here (temp) in one of our laptops for the boat show. We got it from our regional office. I would think all you need do is go to your local wireless store, buy the modem and the service, and you'll be good to go. 1 thing though ... be sure to get a newer model that has the higher security capabilities. They have a designation for it ... but I don't recall it right now. like WMAO or something .... AND I'd be real careful about plugging that laptop back into your network after it's been out there.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Chris, I have connected up from a dozen or so states, and even a couple islands in the Caribbean with my laptop and have used several different methods.

My personal favorite it so use either wi-fi or ethernet at the hotels, but if your guys are connecting up from a customer's location, that is not always possible. Many customers don't want you to tie into their ethernet with a hard wire, but some will allow it with wi-fi (I don't know why they would allow it one way but not the other, but I've seen it!). So I would start with a Wi-Fi capable computer, also has a built in ethernet and built in telephone connectors. I would make it a built-in real Wi-Fi computer, the type where you slide a card in the side when you want to use Wi-Fi.

Now if you want to have a connection virtually anywhere, and you want it using only your equipment, then I would NOT buy a modem card for the computer. A modem card (pcmcia card with a cell modem) is simply a cell phone that you plug into the computer. By using that technology, you simply have given your sales employee 2 cell phones with 2 monthly cell phone bills. Rather, I would buy your employee a BLUETOOTH capable computer (in addition to built in Wi-Fi and ethernet) and I would buy your sales employee a Bluetooth phone WITH modem capabilities (not all Bluetooth capable phones have modem capabilities, check with the carriers in Florida to see which one offers what models that will do this). Going with a Bluetooth phone with modem capabilities allows your sales guys phone to operate as a fairly high speed wireless modem. There is no physical connection from the phone to the computer. You simply connect up by keying a couple commands into your phone and your computer and you are now using your cellphone as your modem. The cellphone must remain within 30' of the computer. The connections do occasionally drop out, but that is not a Bluetooth issue it is a cell phone issue and those drop outs would occur if you installed a wireless modem into the laptop too.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to email or PM me and I can tell you what brands, services we use. I would also say we use both Windows and Apple laptops and we use multiple wireless connection options.

I just returned from a trip to Florida last night, and used my laptop (it has Wi-Fi, ethernet, phone & Bluetooth) and found connecting to the internet to be easy from anyplace I chose (including the cabin of the airplane while we were stuck on the ground).

 

[RonR]

Disclaimer: I ain't very smart on this stuff--my son knows it way better!

I have a wireless card that goes in my laptop. It works well in my house or motel where wireless is available.

If I were putting a laptop & gear on top of a hunk of heavy iron, I wouldn't want a wireless card sticking out the side of the laptop. I worry about my wireless card getting damaged and it is in a benign area compared to what you are asking about.

Having the stuff fairly bulletproof for the environment seems prudent for you.

I've dabbled trying to find a setup I could use on a sailboat, using a laptop and cell phone, but for no more than I need it, anything I found was very expensive. Now for a biz need, that might not be an issue.

ron

 

[PBinWA]

You probably want a CDMA card. Coverage areas may be limited though so check with you cell phone providers.

Check these out:

Sprint PCS Wireless Internet

VerizonWireless

I think Verizon may have better coverage for Florida.

You can also get slow (and I mean slow) modem connect speeds over most newer phones. However if you want to browse graphics and stuff I wouldn't recommend that.

Hope this helps.

 

[riptides]

As a previous noter mentioned the EVDO technology from Sprint and Verizon, this web site listed below should give you a better idea of coverage AND device compatibility.

EVDO information forum

This companion web site offers booster antennas for particular wireless cards. And they work *very* well.

Booster Antennas

My own personal experience is very favorable, and is noted in this thread Joined the 18th Century

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PBinWA]

EVDO! That's right. Good catch. I have a bad case of acronym dyslexia this morning.

 

[riptides]

Oh,

I forgot to add, that my laptop is a pretty sweet piece of work, the wireless card sticks out of the side about 3/4 of an inch. The booster antenna, IF, needed is about the size of a coffee mug, BUT, flat. It plugs into the wireless card, and has stickies for attaching to glass, if your in a car or by a window.

The card will sense signal strength and adapt dynamically, thus allowing you to "roam" via a higher speed signal, without dropping connectivity.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif