July 23, 2008
I travel a couple of times a year in a small RV. I take my cell phone and my laptop. But my Internet access is limited to RV parks that provide that service. I have other friends who RV-travel a lot and pay a substantial monthly fee for an internet card, in addition to their monthly fee for their cell phone. My laptop is a MacBook, my DSL is through pacbell.net (but I access my e-mail with iMail and Firefox), and I currently am on my son and daughter-in-law's cell phone plan with AT&T.
I'm wondering what the least expensive way is for me to be able to access the Internet, on my laptop, while traveling. I don't want to pay a monthly fee for something I'll only use two or three times a year.
I know I could buy an iPhone or a BlackBerry and use that to get e-mail, but is it possible to link one of those phones to my laptop and then have the ease of the larger screen and keyboard? And would my monthly fee increase from what it is now? — Talma
Accessing the Internet while on the road has always been a challenge, but nowadays, there are more ways than ever to get online. For example, many hotel lobbies now offer free WiFi that anyone can access, even some public buildings. I was in Roswell, N.M., recently, and their visitors center had free WiFi.
But to your question about getting online infrequently while RV-ing, the challenge is how to hop on the Internet without incurring a monthly fee, which I still have not found a satisfactory solution. The best solution at the moment is to locate those RV parks that offer Internet access and frequent them.
A second, more costly option is to connect to the Internet via your cell phone. AT&T offers an Internet access data plan called DataConnect for a monthly cost of $60. Depending on your son's cell phone plan, and timing of various promotions, you may be able to sign on to this plan at nominal cost, with a discount on the small amount of equipment. Keep in mind that this service may not be available at all times in all places.
Another possible option is to turn off the laptop and enjoy the relaxation and scenery of the great outdoors.
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