Internet Access: Alternates to Cable and High-Speed Dialup
August 15, 2007
Without Internet access, online workers are, to put it bluntly, screwed. You could use a typewriter to write with and snail mail, but obviously that’s not going to cut it for long. Let’s face it, Internet access is an absolute necessity for some people. And without broadband speeds, your work productivity goes down.
If you live in area that does not offer broadband Internet over cable or high-speed dialup, take note that you might still have a few options:
- Wi-fi to go.
This type of access uses a router that plugs in to an electrical outlet and connects to your computer with either an Ethernet cable or an USB cable. Signals come from a cellular tower and are handled by the router. I’ve recently purchased a router for Wi-Fi to go as a back up connection, but haven’t activated it yet so I can’t comment on it’s quality. - Cellular wi-fi.
Cellular data plans can be incredibly expensive, depending on where you live. In the UK and parts of the U.S., you can get unlimited bandwidth for reasonable monthly rates. For me, unfortunately, it’s stupidly expensive and bandwidth is capped at 250 Mb/month. My alternative is a pay-as-you-go rate billed at $30/Mb. That’s not a typo. And access isn’t exactly at a blazing speed. It’s fine for checking email, doing a bit of browsing or banking, but not ideal for extended use.You can get this access from your laptop or desktop by configuring a Bluetooth connection or using a phone-specific modem.
- Satellite.
When I worked in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2000, I had satellite-based Internet access through DirectTV (if memory serves). But access went wonky if there was a storm - a common daily occurrence in the afternoon during late summer in Atlanta. If you live in an area prone to storms, you might think twice about getting this type of access. - Powerline.
Powerline-based Internet access is served over the power grid. It’s not a new idea, but what is new is that DirectTV, a satellite TV provider, is planning to offer to broadband over powerline later this year. Gizmodo has a diagram of how powerline Internet access works.
There are a few other variations that I’ve left out in the list above. For me, since no Internet access means no work, I now have three types of access, and will probably have four once I move to Toronto. You dont have to be so extreme, but if you do plan to earn a living online, having backup access - besides stealing Wi-Fi from your neighbor - is something to consider.
Posted in tools, productivity
August 18th, 2007 at 11:14 am
This is interesting, Raj. I have some sweet off-grid land in Taos, and while I’ve figured that I can live with water by the tank and no electricity except for the occasional generator, a lack of high-speed internet would be absolutely unacceptable, and would defeat my purpose of living as a writer in Georgia O’Keefe country. I would have to go with the cellular wi-fi, the prices of which made my eyes unattractively bulge out of my head.
August 18th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Bloggrrl, thanks for stopping by. That sounds like a very cool opportunity for you. With the Wi-Fi to go, you have to be near a big city, else the provider’s cellular grid may not cover you. I assume you mean Taos, New Mexico? I don’t know how big Taos is.
If that doesn’t work, you could try satellite. But if you get a gas generator, you’d be okay, too, I think, provided either cell grid or satellite service covers you in Taos.
Consider this: if you can be covered with cellular Wi-Fi, you can be covered with Wi-Fi to go. And with the latter, you get a faster upload and download speed. And mobility. For example, with my router now, I can use it where I’m living, about an hour SouthWest of Toronto, Canada. When I move to Toronto later this year, all I have to do is take the router with me and plug it in. I can use the same router in any large Canadian city, without any extra cost. That’s true of your cellular Wi-Fi, but the rates can be ridiculous. Since some providers are pushing Wi-Fi to go, they have specials on right now. I’m not sure, but I think Verizon has something. I’m pretty sure Comcast does not. At any rate, ask around before you commit. They all have stupidly long commitment durations.
Good luck. It sounds like you could have some very nice novel writing time on that land