3G Mobiles Internet access

Previously, we discussed how to select a wireless Internet access method for corporate laptops. Most workers who choose 3G wireless will either buy a new laptop with embedded 3G or add a new 3G card to an existing laptop. But don't overlook a third option that just might prove less expensive, so why not use a 3G phone for Internet access.

Benefits and limitations

Embedded and after-market 3G adapters provide Internet access by connecting a host (i.e., laptop, desktop, PDA) to a carrier's EV-DO or HSDPA data network. Embedded 3G is the most convenient option for those who require very frequent on-the-go Internet access. An after-market PC or Express card is slightly less convenient, and these small devices may be mislaid, stolen or broken. Both have a costly down-side: 3G adapters require their own service subscription, usually with a long-term contract. Going 3G this way commits you to spending Rs.4000-8000/month for the next one to two years, depending on your carrier and data limit.

Alternatively, a mobile worker who has already purchased a 3G phone, or who expects to do so in the near future, should consider tethering that phone to his or her laptop. Depending on your phone and laptop, those two devices may be linked using Bluetooth, Infrared (IrDA), USB cable or serial cable. The tethered host treats the linked 3G phone as a modem, using dial-up networking or a carrier-supplied wireless connection manager to initiate calls to the carrier's network.

The main advantage of cell phone tethering is the ability to get more mileage out of a single 3G subscription. Travelers who already pay for unlimited wireless data on a RAZR, BlackBerry, Blackjack or similar handset may find it less expensive to tether that phone instead of buying a separate wireless adapter and service plan. For example, a Verizon Broadband Access Data subscriber will pay an extra Rs.1500 per month to add the Broadband Access Connect feature (tethering) to an existing Smartphone account, without incurring a card activation fee or requiring another service contract.

Tethering is a good way to trial 3G laptop connectivity without making a long-term commitment. It can also help 3G subscribers satisfy both Smartphone and laptop wireless Internet access needs at a lower total monthly cost. But there are drawbacks:

Those who don't already have a compatible phone, or don't already have a data plan for that handset, could end up spending more for both than the price of a dedicated 3G wireless adapter. Those with limited MB-per-month plans may need to upgrade to an unlimited data plan to accommodate the combined bandwidth consumption.

Tethering has a significant impact on ease of use. Connecting a Bluetooth-enabled laptop to a Bluetooth-enabled Smartphone is reasonably convenient but will eat into the phone's battery life. USB tethering may not consume as much handset power but requires carrying a cable and connecting it whenever Internet access is desired.

Mobile workers who need to talk on the phone while connected to the Internet cannot use one tethered handset to meet both needs simultaneously. When a laptop places a data call using a tethered modem, that phone cannot make or receive voice calls until the data session is terminated. Running a VoIP soft phone on the laptop is a possible work-around but is less convenient than just using the handset directly for voice calls.