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Mobile Internet Access
As we become more and more reliant on the services provided by the Internet for our everyday business existence, so it is inevitable that we will start to look at wireless access to this very important technology.
Slowly, the major players are beginning to provide this service, albeit often at a significant cost. But the cost is dropping as technology and the economies of scale kick in. So this month, we decided to have a look at the state of play.
How do wireless offerings work?
There is a number of ISPs offering wireless Internet connections around the country, and these offerings vary in the technology they use and therefore provide different outcomes for their subscribers
• Localised hotspots in places like airports, hotels, cafes and other public places using WiFi technology
• Freenets which are usually larger community based or civic wireless networks which cover a specific geographical area and which commonly use WiFi to provide coverage
• EV-DO networks which are based on the GSM and CDMA cellular network and which work in most places your cell phone works
• There are probably other options, but this will do for August 2005, and these options cover what is available in Adelaide.
WiFi Hotspots
WiFi is a short range, wireless technology which is used in businesses to replace cables. Many new laptops come either with WiFi installed or with the capability of simply adding a component to make it happen.
In lieu of cables, the wired LAN is supplemented with or replaced by a wireless access point which propagates the WLAN signals throughout the premises, we hope. Of course, there is no guarantee the wireless signal will get into all the corners of the building, any more than there is a guarantee that the signals will stop at the outside walls. To achieve the former may require some experimentation, and to protect the system from the latter requires that adequate security is put in place.
There is very little end user information provided on optimising the propagation of WiFi signals. It is thus largely a matter of trial and error to locate the wireless access point where the signal is optimised to all points required.
With wireless security, there is plenty of information available. Read up on WAP, WEP and WiFi security before you set up your home or office wireless network. You will not want just anybody gaining access to your information, registering keystrokes or reading bank account details.
Freenets
In Adelaide, this is not widely available, except from the Agile/office wireless network partnership. City LAN is presently available to any person with an Internode account and is free of charge. Once the product is fully developed, we believe it will be relaunched with a competitive price tag. CityLAN offers wireless communication with the Internet in and around the CBD. There are holes in the coverage which Internode is working to rectify as they rejig the technology and point of presence distribution to provide a comprehensive service.
Once CityLAN is up and running, it will become a very large WiFi hotspot. Full details are to be found at http://www.internode.on.net/citylan/.
Interstate, other companies are implementing similar facilities, but these are charged affairs rather than Freenets. The companies involved include iBurst and Unwired.
Evolution Data Optimised Network
This is technology based on the science of the CDMA and GSM mobile telephone service. Within reason, you should be able to get a broadband service wherever your mobile phone works.
A number of suppliers exists. Each of these has a catchy name for the product. What each should allow is for an appropriately equipped computer to attach to the Internet and do exactly what you might do with a wired connection.
With some subscription plans, performance is divided into two bands: that supplied in the CBD of major population centres, and that supplied elsewhere. The difference is speed.
Within the “higher performance” areas, speeds of between 300 and 600kbps download are achievable. Away from these areas, performance will drop below 100kbps, with occasional bursts above this figure. Upload speeds will be slower than the quoted download speeds. The speed finally achieved will depend on a number of variables, like hardware employed, location, network traffic and the orientation of your device.
What are your decisions?
The most important pointers for you to consider should include the following:
• In which geographic areas do you want the connection to work? If you just want to connect in the local restaurant, hotel or airport, then WiFi will meet most of your needs.
• Is your requirement for coverage on a relatively compact area? If you are looking to work in a larger but still relatively compact area, then selection of the appropriate regional freenet may be appropriate. Please note that some of these community networks are not exactly free.
• Do you require an Internet connection virtually anywhere? Under these circumstances, you may need to bite the bullet, raid the piggy bank and embrace the cell phone technology solution.
Now you have decided on the technology, have a look at the available suppliers and their billing plans. Some offer plans based on time, others on the amount of data you handle. The larger your commitment, the lower the price per unit, just like elsewhere on the Internet.
Also, if you are looking at the “lets connect anywhere” option, ensure your telco provides excellent coverage everywhere you are likely to want to connect. Consider the disappointment if you select a lower cost option that does not work at home, for instance. That would be a costly decision.
With one supplier with which we discussed this technology, a single hardware device can be used on a number of machines. So you could purchase a wireless device, either PCMCIA or USB, and share the facility between a number of low need users. Load the software onto each machine in the enterprise and simply hand the device around as need arises.
Any other pre-requisites?
You will normally require an account with the Telco or ISP for you to be able to connect up with their offering.
This also goes for CityLAN. You need an Internode account to log in.
Look out for the costs associated for the provision of additional services, like voice calls, SMS or Instant Messaging. Sometimes, on some plans, these can be unexpected bank busters.
A final word.
For the road warrior, there is an obvious choice. Most travelling users will need more than is offered by the narrowly based WiFi options and Freenets. Ensure you invest in quality hardware and check out that the plan you select will cover your needs.
Until next month.
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Stewart Rankin Pty Ltd – ACN 007 972 901 & DL & LD Greenhough trading as
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