The people who access internet in the world are divided into two groups. One who log in from a static location using their PC or Laptop and the other who access the internet while on the move since they cannot either afford either the time in or the money for “an office”. For them mobile internet is very necessary.

Today there are so many options for mobile internet. Let me list down a few that I am aware off (please comment in case I missed something here):

1. PDA’s / BlackBerry (the RIM version or even the emulators): These things are handheld computers. All you need is an active connection and you can forget your laptop. They have full featured HTML browsers, Active and Push email clients with POP and SMTP and LiveExchange as well. What else does a travel genius need?? Word Excel PPT?? All that is also available now, and in various forms too, if I may add!!! And they surf the net at a pretty high speed what with mobile bandwidths soaring higher and higher!!

2. Handsets with inbuilt browsers: These are slightly lower end but still can provide xHTML functionality and can allow a person to stop gap check web based email. some of them have basic email functionality in their messaging systems. they connect easily with your laptop and provide the functionality of a modem and voila! you are online.

3. Handsets with modem functionality: These handsets are only modems and telephones. No inbuilt browsers (though you can get third party software and try if your phone allows for it). Plug and PLAY .

4. USB Modems / PC Cards with telephone software: if you are constantly on your laptop, just plug these babies in and convert your laptop into a mobile phone. With internet as the primary functionality, they carry out their task undaunted and efficiently. 

There are many providers for mobile internet connections out there. The medium only two. Lets see what you can expect. Having tried all of them, I will give unbiased feedback.

1. GSM: GSM service providers offer you internet via GPRS / EDGE. EDGE is basically the upped version of GPRS which most handsets provide now. you can attain internet speeds real time of about 40 – 50 Kbps which is not bad if you are on the go. If you use a mobile handset, you need to have an active connection (consult your provider) and a phone capable of transmitting the service to your laptop (only for option 2) using Data Cable or Bluetooth. Please note that Bluetooth severly hampers speeds, and data cables are more reliable.

2. CDMA: These babies were designed for data. If you have a CDMA phone and a data cable, you can attain speeds with even the most basic of handsets. With speeds from basic handsets ranging from 35 Kbps to plug n play babies dishing out speeds of 130 Kbps, these machines are built for internet.

So if you are looking for reliable internet then go out and buy a CDMA modem, but if you have GSM and are looking for a stop gap arrangement or only email functionality then EDGE serves the purpose.

 Whats your poison??

by: pepster