WiFi options

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by graymatter, Sep 3, 2011.

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  1. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    As regulars might know, I facilitate online courses for about 1/2 my living. This semester I am preparing to do quite a bit of traveling - including a trip to a rural area of Canada.

    Generally I travel with just a laptop and a flashdrive. With the number of trips increasing and the number of hotspots that now charge, I'm looking for options to be assured of having internet coverage.

    It seems that the best option I've found at this point is to purchase an air card (ebay!) and then use prepaid $50 and $80 cards.

    Are there better options?
     
  2. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I would recommend Tethering from your cell phone broadband (3G, or 4G) networks.
     
  3. I use my Blackberry Storm to access the Internet when I am visiting friends who reside in a rural area without easily available WiFi access. (This amounts to using the phone as an "air card.") I pay extra to Verizon for use of the phone for tethering. This comes in quite handy and is very fast. Also rather expensive. You can get details on the web site for Verizon (or AT&T or other provider.) When traveling outside of the USA, roaming charges for tethering (and for data usage on the phone itself) become extremely expensive. On my recent trip to Canada I did not use tethering, preferring to use WiFi service at the bed and breakfast where I was staying. When I called Verizon prior to departure for Canada to ask about roaming charges, the representative (to her credit) said I would be better off using WiFi.
    I can send you additional information if you need any. I have the actual numbers buried in my notes-- am just writing this message out from memory. Hope it helps.
     
  4. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    I should have been more clear. I'm cheap. Uber-cheap. I use prepaid cell phones so I don't believe tethering is an option.
    :)
     
  5. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Well, the cheapest option is getting yourself a smart phone w/ FREE WiFi locator app. Therefore, you can search in the area for Free WiFi Hotspots.
     
  6. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    +1. I have a Sprint HTC EVO with the capability to serve as a hotspot for up to 8 devices. It costs $30 month. The benefit of this approach is that you are not tethering your phone to the PC, so you can still use your phone. I hear you on the whole being cheap thing, but if you are needing reliable connectivity you need the ability to have your own means of connection rather than relying on WiFi. The expense is tax deductable.

    I have tried the prepaid card route when I was first starting out and it gets really expensive, especially when you start downloading papers and other attachments.
     

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