How should I stay connected while traveling?

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Summary: Fortunately for the wired traveler, mobile connectivity has improved dramatically. We'll look at some of the many options you have to choose from.

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In a recent podcast about mobile connectivity, I briefly reflected on some of the options available to the wired traveler. That podcast was, itself, an example of how I stay connected while traveling since it was recorded, written, and posted from my RV in a state park many miles from my home.

Let's look at it in a little more detail.

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Mobile connectivity has improved dramatically in recent years. I'll cover the big options for the traveling internet user.

Hotels

Where hotels used to offer only what they labeled as "data ports" that you could plug your modem into, it's now not uncommon for them to offer in-room high speed internet or Wi-Fi for an additional charge.

My experience with these hotel systems has been spotty. When they work, they're wonderful, especially those that provide hardwired ethernet connections. Quite often those are connected with nice fat pipes to the internet, and will reach speeds exceeding most alternatives. Sadly, most of the time things have been less than smooth. Problems have included authentication and payment technology that just doesn't work or forgets that I've paid, and wireless access points that are too far away to actually reach my room. The worst offense, in my opinion, are those systems that intercept all outgoing mail, route it through their own server, and then restrict the number of outgoing messages that I can send in a day. For an email-driven mobile lifestyle or business style, that's simply unacceptable.

Hotspots

Speaking of Wi-Fi, hotspots are everywhere if you have a wireless-capable device. Grab an account with T-Mobile, for example, and you have access at thousands of hotspots across the country masquerading as the Starbucks stores you see on almost every corner. Other networks of hotspots exist as well, but the network at Starbucks seems the most ubiquitous. Once nice thing is that with most you may not have to sign up for a plan, but can often pay for a day or a week's worth of access. Naturally, if you plan to use these networks a lot, the plans are more cost effective but for those "connectivity emergencies", a 24 hour pass can really save the day.

There are also more and more free hotspots out there. Quite often you'll find them at libraries and occasionally shopping malls, government facilities, and more. There are several online resources that can help you find free hotspots - I was able to find several near me using this free hotspot directory. The directories are often out of date, so don't limit yourself - check around as new hotspots are appearing all the time.

Cellular

For the serious internet user, or just the seriously internet addicted, cellular technology has finally gotten to the point of being usable and might prove the most flexible option of all. Most major carriers now have high-speed internet options that are not only far better than the pitifully slow connectivity they used to offer, but are also much faster than dial-up speed. Coverage has improved dramatically as well.

My current configuration uses my Treo 600 cellular phone connected via USB as my wireless modem, connecting through Verizon's high-speed data network. My connections are typically at least as good as dialup and frequently, depending on my location, much faster. (The realization that my RV was essentially a metal box acting as a Faraday cage blocking radio signals, has also allowed me to take steps to improve my connectivity and speed).

The down side to the cellular approach is cost. For unlimited access, you're essentially signing up to use your cellular system as a second ISP with costs that are typically as much, if not more, than your wired ISP. There are less expensive limited plans which restrict the amount of data, or perhaps time, you can be online. I've also heard of techniques where your data connectivity can be taken against your minutes without an additional data plan. In all cases, the best advice is to check the internet for suggestions - the cellular sales people typically don't have (or can't share) the information that might provide less expensive connectivity.

Satellite

For the very remote user out of range of hotspots, Starbucks and cellular phone towers, satellite may be the only answer. Before you shell out the time and expense to set this up though, you should be aware of a couple of issues that might affect you.

I have heard, and the fine print in the provider's agreement may state, that your bandwidth may be throttled if you use too much. By that I mean if you are doing lots of large downloads or other high-bandwidth operations, the satellite company may slow you down - often to speeds that are worse than dial-up. The reason is simple: the bandwidth on a satellite is limited and they don't want any one user hogging it.

Satellites are a long way up. Over 22,000 miles, to be more precise. That's a significant enough distance that the speed of light starts to be noticeable. It can add a significant delay as a signal travels up to the satellite, back down, and the response follows the same path in reverse. By "significant" I don't mean that you'll notice the delay, but that your computer might. The delay you'll notice will result from certain internet protocols failing or slowing to a crawl, because they can't handle the additional transmission delay due to transmission via satellite.

Still, when all else fails it's certainly better than no internet at all.

Others?

Have an alternative that you recommend? Post a comment and share your mobile connectivity solution. This field is growing every day so there are bound to be new approaches that I haven't touched on.

Related:

• Ask Leo! - Do I need a firewall, and if so, what kind?

• Ask Leo! - How do I keep my computer safe on the internet?

• Ask Leo! - Can hackers see data going to and from my computer?

Article C2299 - March 6, 2005

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