Accessing the Internet While Traveling

Most people do not have a laptop computer that they can use while traveling.  For most of those who do, it is their business computer and not the one they normally use to access their personal email.

Often, a business computer is configured specifically for that business’ network and it uses sophisticated programs to ensure secure access via regular phone lines or other Internet connections.  Virtual Private Network (VPN) software can create a private network between two computers, even if they are on opposite sides of the Earth.

However, the VPN software can block you from normal, fun web surfing or email while you are traveling.  If access is not prevented by the system, you should still consider whether it is "career-wise" to surf the web and do personal emails with your office’s computer.  If you are connecting via the office’s VPN, even when travelling, you should expect that every site you visit is logged and possibly monitored.

If you have a personal laptop, you need some type of dialup connection through which you can access the Internet.  If you use AOL dialup or any standard dialup ISP from your laptop, before you leave home, check with your ISP to find out the local access numbers for their system.  They may also have an "800 number" that you can use, although it is not usually free — you pay via your ISP account.

I use a neat dialup ISP that has local numbers in many U.S. cities and an 800 number for the others.  Budget Dialup (www.budgetdialup.com) sells hours of connect time.  The hours are good for one year, without a monthly service charge.  If you want more hours, you log in to the website (via dialup or whatever ISP you may be using) and buy some more hours.  They also offer a monthly rate for high-volume users.  They have 800 number access (and also access in foreign countries) that operates as "equivalent minutes."  As an example, one minute of 800-number access is charged as 6 "equivalent minutes."  One minute of local dialup, regardless of where you are in the 48 contiguous States and Canada is charged as 1 equivalent minute.

By getting Budget Dialup, I dropped by Bellsouth dialup account, which I only used for traveling and for backup access, and which had risen from $5.95/month to $12.95 per month by the time I dropped it.  I bought 20 hours for $9.95 from Budget Dialup, and probably used 4 hours within the first year.  I’m just about at the end of my second year and will probably opt for the $5.95 / 10 hours deal (update: I bought the $9.95 / 20 hour package).  Originally marketed as a great tool for business and personal travel, the folks at Budget Dialup have woken up and now advertise their service as backup for cable, dsl, satellite, and other ISP’s, in addition to travelers.

*/ ?>

I have a free NetZero dialup account to give me enough dialup access for occasional travel and for backup if my cable Internet access is down for any reason.

With my free Netzero account, I have local phone numbers available in most of the U.S. towns that I visit. I’ve also used another option that has local numbers in many U.S. cities and an 800 number for the others.  Budget Dialup (www.budgetdialup.com) sells hours of connect time.  The hours are good for one year from the date of purchse, without a monthly service charge.

If you don’t have a laptop, there are some alternatives you can consider while you are traveling.  First of these, if you are visiting family, is to use their computer.  You will probably want to restrict this use to some quick checking of your email, though.  The next newsletter article specifically addresses remote email access.

Many hotels have a "business center," where you can access the Internet via one of their computers.  This may be free or may have an additional charge, depending upon the hotel.  Some coffee shops are set up as Internet cafés, although many times this means that they provide wireless access to customers.  A few actually have computers you can use.  If there is a Kinko’s in the area, they usually have computers by the hour.  The local library may allow access, although this could be restricted to local residents.