"Always on" Wireless Internet Web Access

"Always on" Wireless Internet

So, it's finally time to dive into getting an "always on" wireless Internet connection. Of course there are loads of free wi-fi hotspots in the Washington, DC area and certainly a Starbucks on every corner for a paid hotspot but it always seems you need a connection when there isn't one available.

So what are the alternatives?

1. Verizon offers the BroadbandAccess wireless connection. This runs at $59 per month with a 2 year activation. Plus the cost of the wireless PC card. Generally it works like this... you setup your account, install the software on your laptop, get the wireless laptop card activated and you are off and running. I would recommend that you go to a business Verizon store to setup the service if it's only for one or 2 users. More than that number, work with your Verizon business sales rep.

The service works well, like cellular service for your phone. If you are in a good location for full strength signal, things work well at decent bandwidth speeds. If not, you speeds drop considerably.

The cool thing is you can buy wireless access points that work with the wireless card so you can actually share the BroadbandAccess connection with multiple users. Can be good in a pinch or for a variety of other reasons.

2. Cingular 3G services: Cingular currently offers, in select west coast markets, their version of highspeed wireless access but at higher speeds than Verizon's. It is currently available in San Fran, Seattle, Phoenix, Dallas, and other west coast cities (you should check the Cingular site for the exact market offerings). If you can wait until it is rolled out in Washington, DC, that's what I would do. The target date in early-mid 2006. Here's more information from Cingular on their service. Essentially, it's the same technology running on a faster network.

3. WiMAX: If you can wait even longer, you may want to hold off for WiMAX. WiMAX is WiFi on steriods. Instead of talking feet for how far you can be from the wireless access point, with WiMAX you are talking miles. A VP from Intel, James A Johnson, has an excellent Q & A on the topic. The momentum is really rolling on this for an international standard.