Staying Connected Away From Home

Staying Connected on the Go: Reader Insights

Previously, we requested our audience to contribute their methods for maintaining connectivity while away from a traditional home internet setup. We are now presenting a compilation of the responses received.

Leveraging Public Wi-Fi Networks

Utilizing freely available Wi-Fi access points remains a common practice for many. The success of this approach is often correlated with population density, increasing the likelihood of discovering an accessible network. Twalorn shared the following:

My Wi-Fi enabled phone relies exclusively on complimentary Wi-Fi (cafés, restaurants, unsecured home networks, etc.). However, I am currently saving for a Galaxy SII with a dedicated data plan.

Conversely, Steve-O-Rama explained his preference for using his smartphone over public Wi-Fi:

I primarily depend on my smartphone (HTC Incredible) for internet access. When not using the phone directly, I employ PdaNet to connect my netbook. I avoid using Wi-Fi in public locations like coffee shops, restricting its use to my apartment or my parents’ home, where I have exclusive control over the wireless routers.

I harbor concerns regarding the security of networks offered by establishments such as Starbucks, and their clientele. Am I overly cautious? Perhaps. However, if I require bandwidth exceeding my smartphone’s capabilities while away from home, it’s typically for work or accessing sensitive information, not simply checking the weather or sports scores.

We concur with Steve’s security concerns, and recommend establishing a secure tunnel to your home broadband connection. A tutorial on encrypting Wi-Fi hotspot traffic can be found here.

The Rise of Smartphone Tethering and Mobile Hotspots

Smartphones offering high-speed data connections and tethering capabilities were frequently mentioned as integral components of readers’ away-from-home connectivity plans. Blisk noted that his smartphone fulfills all his computing needs:

I utilize my Droid X for all tasks I would typically perform on a computer. This includes reading blogs, using Twitter (primarily on my phone), and managing email. While some activities, like streaming podcasts, are less convenient, I generally remain well-connected. The 3G connection can be slow for video streaming.

J. Howe cautions users who employ their phones as Wi-Fi hotspots:

During experimentation with my phone settings, and those of a friend with a different Android device, I discovered that both phones defaulted to open security settings. This poses a risk, as individuals engaged in wardriving could exploit this vulnerability, resulting in substantial data charges from your provider. This is a warning for those less familiar with technical configurations.

Our initial experience with Wi-Fi Tether on a rooted Android phone mirrored this concern. Ensuring a secure connection is paramount when wirelessly tethering to your phone.

Some readers opted for comprehensive mobile hotspot packages, such as Jeff:

I subscribe to an unlimited 3G data plan from Virgin Mobile, costing $25 per month in the US. This allows me to create a Wi-Fi hotspot for my laptop when necessary, though I usually rely solely on my smartphone. I stay connected via email, Skype, Sipdroid VOIP, Skyfire web browser, and Teamviewer for remote PC access.

Extreme Connectivity: Reaching the North Pole

Rein Couperus uniquely reported utilizing a mobile connection capable of reaching even the North Pole:

It may seem unbelievable, but there are locations on Earth lacking 3G, Wi-Fi, or even GPRS and cellular service. Some areas even lack electricity…

When stationed at the North Pole, I employ PSKmail to access the internet. It’s a slow connection, but it functions, even in the event of satellite failures.

For those unfamiliar with PSKmail, this overview provides insight into how individuals in remote locations—such as research stations and sailboats—can send and receive email.

The conversation continues! Share your connectivity solutions in the comments below or in the original discussion. How do you remain connected while away from home?