Truly Wireless Internet access

[enkiboat]

I live on a boat and am planning to go cruising on the English canal system. I am not too technical nor do I really understand wireless technology....

Does anyone know which is the best "really mobile" way to access the internet on the move? Is it a "dongle"? If so, which company has the best / widest coverage because I'll be going all over England.

Many thanks in anticipation!

[VHG]

PC Pro magazine did a review of mobile broadband in the middle of last year.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/212520/mobile- broadband---the-verdict.html?searchString=mobi le+broadband

May be slightly out of date, but may give you some food for thought.

There is also a short discussion of the article here

http://www2.pcpro.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t= 286769

[Ethel]

My dongle didn't work in most of Devon and Cornwall, nor in the Yorkshire Moors, nor from inside my house smack bang in the middle of the urbanised West Midlands.

Look at the websites of all the dongle providers - Vodafone, 3 and TMobile and check the coverage.

Where there is a very strong signal the dongle is excellent - faster than the old dial up, slower than my broadband

[fo3nix]

You can get satellite internet, but I understand it to be very expensive.

Vodafone, O2, etc. are now offering 3G internet dongles that you plug into your PC, and can use the internet via their mobile networks.

I think most offer the dongle with a set usage for a year for about �99 one-off.

I think Vodafone have about the best network available, so I'd suggest you enquire with them. However, the signal may be limited in more remote places.

[ChuckFickens]

LOL.... Fo3, we use satellite internet for trackside internet Where I work....for a 4Mbs link it's �8000 a MONTH!!

I think that might be slightly beyond the price range of the average user :)

A 3g dongle is the only viable way to get internet truly mobile but you will have to except that you are not going to get broadband speed everywhere.

[DeadMan]

there is another alternative. not sure how good it is, or how costly. its not something ive looked into as yet, but i do know there is an option of using a phone SIM card in some of the newer palm size computers.
depending on cost, i guess you could carry a couple of sims and if you lose one service provider, swap to another !

[fo3nix]

DeadMan: you could do the same thing with a few USB dongles --- just get pay as you go ones from Vodafone and O2 and 3.

Chuck: I had no idea it was that expensive! I was thinking it was about �150/month (still very expensive compared to standard broadband).