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| Internet on the move |
Mobile Internet
Wouldn't it be great if you could log on to www.intensive-driving.com to pick up lesson requests from the car? It's easier than you might think. Using a MobileA computer is not the only way to get connected to the internet these days. Mobiles have been able to connect to the internet for a while now, with varying degrees of success. There are two ways that mobiles can connect to the internet. The first is 2.5G or GPRS. Even a pay as you go mobile might be able to access this. Speed is roughly comparable to a dial up connection. Okay for the odd email but not ideal if you want to browse any web sites with a few graphics. The second, and more recent, is 3G. You will need a 3G capable phone. Shop around and you should be able to get one free with your mobile contract. Connection speeds are more like broadband. Coverage is more limited but improving all the time. You can reckon on good coverage in town and city centres but in rural areas reception is likely to fall back to 2.5G. All 3G phones fall back to 2.5G if 3G is not available. There are five main 3G networks in Britain, Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile, 3 and O2. Other operators offering 3G services borrow transmitters from the big five. Which you choose will depend on price and network coverage in your area. Check the small print carefully, particularly with regard to download limits. Even so called 'unlimited' deals do in fact have a limit. Although in the case of T-Mobile's Web n Walk Plus tariff it is a huge 3 gigabytes per month for just £12.50* in addition to your voice contract. If use is likely to be limited a pay as you go scheme might be sufficient. Orange allow unlimited access for a day for just £1*. The disadvantage with using your mobile is that their browsers tend to be less capable and the screen is far smaller. Many of the larger web sites offer different versions of their sites depending on the type of browser that you are using. This may or may not be helpful. Many do not. With a mobile phone size screen you can easily find yourself getting lost scrolling around even a familiar web site. Using a LaptopIf you don't already have a laptop give serious thought to buying one when the time comes to replace your desktop computer. Most laptops can be run off a car 12v power supply with a suitable adapter (for about £20). Many new laptops have Bluetooth and WiFi built in but if not USB adapters are available for £15 - £20. A WiFi enabled laptop can connect by radio to any WiFi hotspots in range. WiFi hotspots can be found around pubs, hotels, stations, petrol stations or even your local branch of Starbucks. Most hotspots require some sort of payment either by debit or credit card but not all. You can find local hotspots via www.totalhotspots.com Your computer may even pick up the occasional unsecured wireless network. Sometimes this is intentional, more often someone has installed their home network without setting up the appropriate security. Using a private open connection like this without permission is illegal. With a laptop you have the advantages of a normal sized screen and keyboard, the same software as you use at home and broadband internet connection speeds when connected to a hotspot. Connecting your Laptop to the Mobile NetworkThere are two possiblilties; a datacard or your handset. A datacard or USB modem is like a mobile phone that plugs into the side of your computer - but it can only connect to the internet. At about £30 per month this can seem expensive compared to some home broadband packages - but it can be used anywhere. This can be a cost effective solution particularly if you are locked into an unsuitiable mobile phone contract. If you are in a position to treat yourself to a new phone using your handset to connect to can be more cost effective. Your handset becomes the modem. It will need to be a 3G capable phone suitable for the purpose There are three possible ways to connect laptop and handset; USB cable, Bluetooth and Infrared. USB cable is most likely to be supported by both telephone and laptop, the cable and any necessary software will probably be supplied as standard with the phone. Bluetooth is probably supported by your telephone and by your laptop too if it is fairly new. This is a wireless option with a range of up to 10m. Unlike infrared it does not need to be line of sight. If both computer and phone have infrared ports then this is a 'wireless' option, but both devices must be fairly close with direct line of sight and the connection is not very fast. More information on suitable mobiles, network coverage and tariffs are available from the main network websites. * details correct at time of writing but may have changed subsequently. |
