You may think that traveling means you have to sacrifice internet service, but that is not the case. There are many options available nowadays that will provide you with internet service on-the-go. If internet service is important to you and a trip is in your near future, you should definitely take a moment to look into these options.
Wireless Hotspots
In today’s day and age, there are many public places that provide wireless internet access. These public places are known as wireless hotspots and allow you, the user, to connect instantly to the internet. To connect to the internet via wireless hotspot, you must have a wireless-enabled device such as a laptop or mobile phone. If you are traveling, chances are you will come across a wireless hotspot somewhere in your travels. Although convenient when available, wireless hotspots can be few and far between if you are traveling in rural areas or foreign countries. They can also be a bit risky to use, because many people are connecting to one network. This means you must be very cautious as to what type of information you are displaying or sending while online.
Wireless Air Cards
Wireless air cards are another way to connect to the internet while you are traveling. Most air cards will plug into a USB port on any computer, although you will most likely be carrying a laptop while traveling. Wireless air cards work by connecting your computer to a cellular network, which then provides a high-speed internet connection. Most major cellular phone providers also offer wireless air cards. You will most likely pay a monthly fee for an air card, just like you would for phone service. Do not automatically assume the provider from which you have your phone service will also be the best provider for an air card, though. Just because you have good service in your area doesn’t mean you will have good service while traveling. Before purchasing a wireless air card plan, you should research the area in which you will be traveling to determine which cellular network has the best coverage. That way you will know which provider will be able to give you the best internet service while you are on the road.
Public Computers
Many hotels and motels provide a public computer for their customers to use, free of charge. These public computers are usually found in the lobby area of the establishment and are nice for travelers that do not wish to carry along their computers while traveling. If you are going on a fairly short trip and the internet is not an absolute necessity, these public computers may be perfect for you. They are great for checking emails or social networking sites, as these things do not take a lot of time. Check with your hotel while making reservations to see if there is a public computer on the premises.
If you think that traveling limits your ability to access the internet, think again. These days there are many options for accessing the internet while you are on the road. You should take the time to research these options before traveling. You will be glad you did.
Guest post from Karen Schweitzer. Karen writes about internet service providers for Internetserviceproviders.org.
