wireless internet connection

what does one need?

[HelenDev]

I have a friend who is getting a computer for the first time. He also wants an internet connection but is unable to have dial up or broadband where he lives (the landlord's not keen). He thinks that a wireless connection might be the answer.

Myself being a creator of websites, he thought I might be able to advise him on this. But I've only ever had wired connections at home, so I don't know what to suggest. I'm not really all that hot on hardware (did you guess?), but to save my techie reputation can anyone advise what I should tell him?

I'm guessing he needs to:
Find out if wireless is available in his area
Get some sort of 'wireless' modem (what would these be called then?)

Is this correct? Does he need anything else? How does it work when it comes to billing?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[hannamyluv]

I am not a hardware person, but I do have wireless set up at home (quite nice if you have a laptop)

generally, in order to have a wireless connection, you need a "wired" connection of some kind, dial-up, cable, dsl, etc. Generally (at least as far as I know) a wireless router connects to your modem to broadcast the internet signal.

Now that being said, if they had a computer with a wireless card, either external or internal, they maybe able to hop on a local unsecured wireless connection, if there is one around. For example, at my house, there are 3 unsecured connections that belong to neighbors that I could siphon off if I choose to (I don't). But, unsecured connections can be dangerous as someone else using that same connection could mess with your computer.

[graywolf]

There is such a thing as a wireless modem (example t-mobile hot spot). Basically you are getting a dedicated cell phone for your computer. They tend to be very pricey and very slow, and like your cell phone have massive overage charges. Unless you travel a lot of places where some other type of connection is unavailable I'd avoid it if at all possible.

[Lyndsay]

I've set up a few wireless networks, and it's actually quite simple.

If he can't go with dial-up or broadband, I guess cable is the best option left.

Sign up for cable internet, as if you were going to plug the modem into your computer and be on your way.

But buy a wireless router (and a wireless network card if the computer doesn't already have one). The router goes between the modem and the computer.

You will need to configure the router as well as set up security on it so others can't use your internet. The instructions on how to do that will be included with the router.

That's pretty much it. It shouldn't affect billing, since the ISP will be providing the modem and the service just like normal.

To answer your question, find out if wireless is available in his area... wireless can be available anywhere if you've got a router and a wireless card :)

Some ISPs will have a wireless modem... thereby eliminating the need for a router. To me, it was just easier to by the router seperately. But that was a couple years ago now and I'm sure times, and prices, have changed.

[supermanjnk]

Verizon has a plan for about 70 a month for dialup broadband, it's about twice the speed of dial up, but requires signal from verizon aswell as a card that costs roughly 300 dollars, this is a pcmcia card (laptop)

[bunltd]

I just got a Cingular Edge card, Data Rate: Up to 135 KBPS - I got it because of Hurricane Rita and it worked great during the storm when we didn't have power. It's about $80/month for unlimited access.

Check with the UK carriers, Orange, maybe?

LisaB

[HelenDev]

Cheers for the info.

I guess it's not quite as simple as some TV ads would have us believe!

I have found out that there are quite a few places around here which appear to offer some sort of wireless services (pubs mostly) so I guess you have to go there to do your work! Oh well, it has some benefits I suppose ;)