Wireless On The Road

I've been using some new technology that has made my life a bit easier.

I am no longer at the mercy of trying to get online somewhere to work on projects, check my email, respond to customers etc

Recently I signed up for AT&T's Edge Wireless Internet.

This service allows me to access the internet from a wireless card which plugs into my laptop.

This card isn't limited to finding "hotspots" or businesses transmitting wireless internet. It is tied into AT&T's nationwide wireless network. You can literally be traveling down the highway connected online.

Getting Started

It was pretty easy to get up and running using the Edge card.

After installing the included Communications Manager from CD, the program will tell you to insert the card for the first time.

Once you have done that, the software will start looking to make the connection to the wireless network. You will then see a bar graph showing you how strong your signal is.

The signal strength is segment into 5 levels. In order to have any reliable service, it should be at least 3 bars or above. If you get all 5 bars, then it is pretty fast. Not quite cable modem fast but still faster than dialup.

Things To Consider

There are some important things to realize about the AT&T wireless internet.

The service is not available everywhere.

While it is available across much of the U.S. and Europe it is not everywhere. It is the most thorough coverage for wireless internet for the time being.

You really want to make sure that it is available in the areas that you would consider using it. To see the U.S. coverage map, click here and then enter your zip code.

New technology is coming out constantly. In all likelihood, there will be something bigger and better in the next year or two. For that reason, I would not sign any long term contracts over 2 years or so.

The Bottom Line

I have found the service to be quite helpful. I am no longer at the mercy of wondering if I can plug into the internet somewhere or find a wireless hotspot.

For where I live, the coverage is acceptable and has been worth it for me. A nice bonus is that I am able to write it off as a legitimate business expense.

Its definitely worth looking into if you want to have full mobility for your online business while on the road.