A growing number of hotel lobbies, restaurants, airport lounges, coffee shops and other businesses are all beginning to utilise the Wi-Fi (802.11) protocol to create a wireless LAN (hotspot) for customers to access the Web, e-mail, instant messaging, or any other Internet resources. This growth of public hotspots offers significant benefits to mobile business professionals who can access them.
What you will need to use the service:
- A notebook PC, Tablet PC, or a Pocket PC equipped with a wireless LAN access card or with built-in support for wireless
- A public hotspot
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| Make sure your mobile device has support for wireless LAN connectivity |
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| These tips simplify connection to a public hotspot |
Step 1: Equip your computer for wireless LAN access |
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A notebook, handheld, or tablet PC needs to support Wi-Fi to communicate within a public hotspot. Many of today's business computers come fully equipped with integrated Wi-Fi, so you can access a wireless hotspot as soon as you come within range of one.
If your notebook or handheld doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi support, you can install a Wi-Fi adapter card which quickly and easily slips into the PC card slot of a notebook, Tablet PC, or handheld.
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Step 2: Connect to a public hotspot |
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Public hotspots fall into one of two categories:
- Free hotspots for general access.
- Subscription hotspots that require you to sign up for an account before you can use them.
To connect to a free hotspot, all you have to do is walk within range of the network. Your Wi-Fi card will detect the hotspot network and you will immediately have a live connection to the Internet.
For those hotspots that require a subscription, you must first sign up for a hotspot account before you can use the public hotspot to access the Web, your e-mail, or any other network resource.
After subscribing to the service, you will be able to access the hotspot like any other wireless network. Be sure to read the subscription service's instructions on how to configure your notebook or PDA properly for quick and easy connection to the public hotspots.
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Tips and advice |
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- Many subscription hotspots will give you a free trial before you sign up for the service
- Hotspot accounts work much like mobile phone plans, Internet connection services, or any other time-based subscription service. Use more minutes than you are entitled and the cost for additional minutes will be charged
- For the first few months that you use a subscription service, pay close attention to how much time you spend at public hotspots, and if you regularly pay for extra minutes, consider increasing your plan. You will save money in the long run
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