While I like to think I stay on top of things, it's not always true. I've desired cellular internet service on my laptop for a few years and have just hesitated because I don't want another $60 a month bill.

I have had to resort to seeking out free hotspots when I'm out and about, which can be a pain, especially in an area you're not familiar with.

Also, I've been paying fees at many hotels for Internet service, which sucks too. It seems the more expensive the hotel, the less likely they are to have free Internet.

This has left me using my phone, Treo 680, for Internet access to check email and such.

Enter PDANet.

I just found this software yesterday. For $34, I can use my cellular phone data service, which I'm already paying for, to have cellular access on my laptop!

This rocks!

I just plug my phone into the usb on the laptop with the sync cable, start the software and I'm online, anywhere I have cell coverage.

If you have a PDA phone running Palm or Windows Mobile OS, they have a version for you. Check it out:

June Fabrics PDA Technology Group

Sounds good - just be sure your provider doesn't nail you for the extra data bandwidth you'll be using now.

With any luck, WiMax will take off this year and faster access will become cheaper still.

Thanks for the tip on PDANet, Bruce. We're going to need to do something soon, too. And you're absolutely right about the hotel situation. It's just ridiculous to spend upwards of $200.00 per night and have to spend another $10 for Internet!

FYI, the Radisson in Culver City,CA was nice and has free wireless.

I live off my phone right now for mobile internet so I bought the unlimited plan.

This sounds good.

I've been kinda stuck for something like this sometimes.

Thanks.

For a long time I was wanting mobile internet. Just didn't want the extra bill for it.

I just got rid of my cable internet and use the Verizon usb internet thingy. It's my only internet connection.

Works great and I'm paying less then I was with the cable internet... and I can use it anywhere.

So in a nutshell... I now have wireless internet for free.

Doesn't the speed suck though? I don't see giving up my DSL at home.

That's what I wondered at first. I kept the cable internet until I realized I couldn't tell a difference between the 2 connections.

After that I decided to ditch the cable internet. Didn't see any point in paying for 2 of them.

With Verizon I had 60 days to return it if I didn't like it. (I think it was 60 days).

Gotta say, I've been impressed with the speed. No complaints. Way faster than wifi was at Starbucks.