Fixes for a Big Wi-Fi Gripe

When traveling through multiple airports, you've likely encountered this problem.

James A. Martin

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Feature: Fix for a Big Wi-Fi Gripe

I have a problem, and I bet you have it, too.

When traveling for business, I often pass through multiple airports. The good news is that more and more airports are offering wireless Internet access. The bad news? It seems like most of the time, each airport's wireless service is offered by a different provider. That means having to sign on to one network here and another one there, paying for each one separately. It's a hassle, and the expenses add up.

But there are ways to make your Wi-Fi wanderings a bit easier. Read on.

Check Out Wi-Fi Roaming Agreements

Some commercial Wi-Fi service providers have reciprocal roaming agreements with other providers. Wi-Fi roaming is kind of like cell phone roaming, but not nearly as transparent. Unlike cell phone roaming, you still have to sign on to a new wireless network to use it.

But in the past year, an increase in agreements between providers is making Wi-Fi roaming a bit easier to maneuver. For instance, in a roaming agreement, subscribers of Wi-Fi Service A can use their existing user ID and password to access Wi-Fi Service B's network, without having to sign up with Service B. The charges incurred will appear on the customer's bill from Service A.

Some current Wi-Fi roaming agreements:

Sprint rapidly developed a large North American Wi-Fi network through roaming agreements with Airpath Wireless, AT&T Wireless, SBC, STSN, Wayport, and others. Sprint has claimed that by the end of 2004 it had some 10,000 hotspots in service.

Boingo Wireless currently has roaming agreements with 14 providers, including NetNearU, STSN, Surf and Sip, and Wayport.

In addition to its arrangements with Boingo and Sprint, Wayport has roaming agreements with IPass, SBC, Verizon Wireless, and others.

IPass provides a "global virtual network" for corporate users, providing wireless, dial-up, and broadband network access on the road. The service has roaming agreements with Airpath Wireless, T-Mobile, and others.

Find Free Hotspots

Signing up with a commercial Wi-Fi provider that has lots of roaming agreements can simplify your wireless travels. Even better, though, is to take advantage of the many free public Wi-Fi networks available. Because no fee is required, you can connect without the hassle of registering for, or signing on to, a service.

Some resources for finding free hotspots include:

PC World's Hotspot Finder. Enter in a zip code or address and click the "free" button to narrow your search to free hotspots.

The Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory lets you browse for free hotspots by state.

The Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory also offers a list of airports with free Wi-Fi.

Get a Wi-Fi Finder

How do you know when you're near a hotspot, without booting up your notebook or turning on your Wi-Fi-enabled PDA?

PCTel's WiFi Seeker ($30) is one of several small devices that detect the presence of 802.11b and-g networks. Signal strength is indicated by four LED lights. The device doesn't differentiate between free and fee-based or private and public networks, however.

For more options, read "New Wi-Fi Finders Work Well."

Make Your Own Hotspot

Wireless networking in hotel rooms is growing. But many hotels still offer wired broadband Internet access in guest rooms and provide Wi-Fi networking only in public areas. With a portable wireless network router, you can transform your hotel room's network from wired to wireless. I've tested Apple's AirPort Express ($129) specifically for that purpose, and I found it easy to configure and use.

For the latest prices on the AirPort Express, check the PC World Product Finder.

Get on a 3G Network

Of course, Wi-Fi networks aren't the only way to make a wireless Internet connection on the go. Most mobile phone service providers offer high-speed Internet connectivity for notebooks, or smart phones and PDAs, via third-generation (3G) cellular networks. The advantage: You can make an Internet connection anywhere there's a cell phone signal. The downside: Monthly rates for high-speed cellular network access can be expensive, around $80 or so.

Among the providers are Verizon and Sprint PCS.

Be Patient

Over time, the Wi-Fi roaming situation is bound to improve. If nothing else, WiMax, a new wireless network standard with a far greater range than Wi-Fi, should make wireless roaming significantly easier.

Read my story about WiMax and other up-and-coming wireless technologies, "What's Next for Wireless?" Also, go to this week's "Mobile Computing News, Reviews, & Tips" section for an update on mobile WiMax.

Your Two Cents?

Do you have a tip for minimizing the hassle of Wi-Fi roaming? If so, send it to me.

Mobile Computing News, Reviews, & Tips

Wireless News: Mobile WiMax Coming Next Year

WiMax is the next-generation wireless networking technology with a possible broadcast range of 25 to 30 miles (though Intel says the optimal range will be 4 to 6 miles). It will come in two variations: fixed and mobile. The standard for fixed WiMax is complete and a product certification program is in the works, equipment and component makers recently announced. Products based on fixed WiMax should be shipping later this year. Meanwhile, some companies are now focusing their attention on mobile WiMax, which is still being standardized. Mobile WiMax products are expected to debut later this year.

Wireless News: Majority Want to Keep Cell Phone Ban

Most airplane travelers aren't keen on sitting next to a cell-phone talker during a flight, according to a recent USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll. Nearly seven in ten frequent or occasional fliers don't want the government to lift the ban on using mobile phones while in flight, the results show. Those most strongly opposed to allowing cell-phone chatter: women and fliers aged 50 years or older.

Wireless News: Room Service in the Lobby

More than 6000 hotels worldwide now offer Wi-Fi connectivity, up from just 2500 in 2003, according to a study cited in The Wall Street Journal. And some hotels are even encouraging non-guests to use their Wi-Fi networks, the paper reports. For example: San Francisco's Hotel Monaco offers free Wi-Fi Internet access throughout the property. Non-guests can sit in the lobby and even have room service delivered (which they have to pay for, naturally).

Wireless News: Trojan Horses Make Symbian Phones Useless

Two new Trojan horse programs that masquerade as patch files can turn some Symbian-based mobile phones into, in essence, paperweights. Gavno.a and Gavno.b are the first programs designed to disrupt a mobile phone's core function--telephony--as well as other applications such as text messaging, e-mail, and address books.

Remote Computing News: WebEx Launches New Service

WebEx Communications has introduced MyWebExPC, a service that lets you control a remote PC through a standard Web browser. The service, which competes with others such as Citrix Online's GoToMyPC, lets you control a remote PC through a standard Web browser. Unlike the free MyWebExPC version, the Pro version ($10 per month) includes remote printing, enhanced security, and other features.

Gadget Review: A First Look at the Apple IPod Shuffle

If you primarily listen to music when exercising, the new IPod Shuffle is worth considering. But because the Shuffle lacks an LCD, music fans who like to visually navigate multiple playlists and songs should avoid Apple's new tiny MP3 player.

Go to our Product Finder for the latest prices on the 512MB player ($99) and the 1GB version ($149).

Suggestion Box

Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it.