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General discussion

Wireless Internet Access

Jan 12, 2005 11:22AM PST

I have a Toshiba Qosmio G15-AV501 with Intel Centrino. I want to obtain wireless internet access to use when away from home. I understand this service is available through cell phone providers. What I do not know is what, if any, impact Centrino has on wireless internet access. It looks like Intel may offer access. I am unable to understand most of the tech info I have read on this subject this evening. What type of wireless access provider is best? My present cell phone company, Cingular, does not have service in one of the towns I visit. If they did, I would not have to post this message. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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My odd reply.
Jan 12, 2005 11:35AM PST

I found this to be a non-issue on my last road trip.

Free wifi services were at airports, libraries, coffee shops and more.

Bob

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wi-fi
Jan 12, 2005 11:41AM PST

You should have a built in Intel 2200b/g wi-fi card in your Toshiba Qosmio (giving you 54G wi-fi access backwards compatible to older and slower b standard.

If you were going to hook up to DSL or Cable internet at home via a wi-fi router all you would need was a wi-fi router that supported 54G and you would be able to log on immediately with your notebook build in minipci wi-fi card.

You, however, are talking about digital cellular access. That would require that your cell phone had bluetooth and that your notebook had built in bluetooth to enable the signal to carry with no wires or you would need an external USB 2.0 bluetooth adaptor, etc.

Again, you have a standard 54G wi-fi card built in and any newer notebook over $1,000 should have that (whether a Pentium 4M, a Pentium Centrino or an Athlon 64 notebook).

As Bob said, you can pick up wi-fi at free outlets like Airports, etc automatically but to use your cell phone that requires either a direct connection of the cell phone to the notebook somehow or Bluetooth ........

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Verizon
Jan 12, 2005 12:16PM PST

Or you can get verizon's air card which give's you access on the road ANYWHERE where there is a verizon cell phone signal.
the plans start at $40 but have a limit
$80 plan is unlimited.
I work for Circuit City.
And since they have a little kiosk at our store, they let us try it out for 2 month free of charge. And it was great. A lot of places here in NYC you can get Broadband speed with them.

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Verizon good solution but it is external wi-fi card
Jan 12, 2005 1:08PM PST

This sounds like a great solution (Verizon) but keep in mind that is an external plug in card to the notebook so you are bypassing your internal wi-fi card. You can just plug in the Verizon card when you need it but of course you are bypassing some of the efficiency of the minipci wi-fi card .......

However, unless you have a bluetooth enabled cell phone you are better off with this solution .........

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Wireless Internet Access
Jan 12, 2005 10:10PM PST

Ken, I can easily upgrade my Cingular phone to include Bluetooth. The Cingular rep said I could use my present phone as the modem by connecting it to the laptop using a cord that would plug into a USB port.
The problem with that method is that Cingular has no service to Mexico Beach, FL where I frequently visit. They are great here in Destin, FL, where I live and great in New Orleans which I also frequent, but not Mexico Beach. Alltel has great service to Mexico Beach and New Orleans, but has a very weak signal here in Destin. I am looking for a solution that would give me wireless internet access in all three cities. Are there other options besides connecting through cell phone providers?

I am not a business traveler, so all the hot spots, cafes, airports, libraries, etc. are not relevant.

Thanks, Bonnie

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Wireless Internet Access
Jan 12, 2005 9:52PM PST

Is it necessary to have your cell phone account with Verizon to use their air card? Will the air card work in areas where Verizon cell phone service is unavailable?

I travel for fun and leisure not business. The public hot spots are not the solution. I have Bluetooth on the laptop, but not the phone.

Thanks for your response.

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Wi-Max over the air coming eventually but now Digital Cell
Jan 13, 2005 3:01AM PST

In the future, a technology called Wi-max that intel has been pushing but computer manufacturers have been resisting (as it adds an extra cost not everyone will use until it is mainstream) will allow entire cities or regions to receive wi-fi thorugh the air (with wi-max built into your computer).

Obviously, the telephone companies and cable companies offering DSL and cable internet don't like this.

McCaw celluar supposedly will roll this out in more rural areas at first that don't have established high speed internet like above.

Until that time your only real hope for internet access that goes accross the country (where you don't have to go to Starbucks with Tmobile or McDonalds for its service) probably relies in the Digital Cellular wi-fi at this point.

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Wireless Internet Access
Jan 13, 2005 4:33AM PST

Does Digital Cellular wi-fi refer to the cell phone providers?

Should I use a PC Card, Phone Kit Connection or install Cingular Connection Manager software onto my laptop. With current rebate offer the connection software is free.