Hi,maybe this is a silly question,but i wondered how you get an internet connection fitted in your truck.How does it work,how much does it cost etc.What does it run off? I want to know because if i do tramping in the future,I would want to carry a laptop with me and access to the Uk’s no1 trucking site,whilst on the road,as there is a wealth of information here.Even better than a library! I suppose you would have to get permission from the gaffer first though,if it involves a lot.Thanks a lot,
Very simply, you make sure your mobile phone has the capability to connect to the internet (think it’s called GPRS capability) then you plug your phone into your laptop and away you go.
Generally, you pay for the amount of data uploaded and downloaded and if you don’t turn things like pictures and html off, it can get very expensive (pictures and html use a lot of band width in comparison to plain old text).
I believe there’s a guy on here called ‘Coffee’ that does exactly what you’re asking about. I would suggest you send him a PM and ask him about it to get all the facts.
Gee, don’t you guys have truckstop “hotspots” or even cellphone system WiFi yet? Over here, almost every major truckstop offers (for a price) wireless hotspots for those with an account and a wireless modem to use.
WiFi is more expensive (maybe $100/month for combined cellphone and internet), and is only available along major roads and in major cities, but it does cover more area and is faster as well. The WiFi card can cost a bit, though.
AlexxInNY:
Gee, don’t you guys have truckstop “hotspots” or even cellphone system WiFi yet? Over here, almost every major truckstop offers (for a price) wireless hotspots for those with an account and a wireless modem to use.
WiFi is more expensive (maybe $100/month for combined cellphone and internet), and is only available along major roads and in major cities, but it does cover more area and is faster as well. The WiFi card can cost a bit, though.
Of course we have WiFi, dont forget who invented wireless technology
But our WiFi is only avaliable in Motorway service areas and other "hot spot " locations. To get an internet connection whilst sat in the cab you can either connect through a GPRS enabled phone or you can buy a card for your laptop which you put GPRS sim card in and connect directly that way.
the alternative is to buy a phone with full internet capability via gprs. most mobiles connect only to wap (mobile internet) sites but there are a handful that can access regular internet sites. the nokia 6670 has that capability along with supporting software for msword, powerpoint and excel. it is the nearest thing that i have seen to a laptop in your pocket
A cheaper way is to use an old phone with a data suite to connect the phone to the laptop. Although not as fast as GPRS, it will work out cheaper. You are only paying for the price of a phone call, regardless of how much you download. If you are using standard dial up internet at home, you should be able to use the same settings on your laptop. It is a bit slow, but it is adequate for most internet browsing.
Fancy an American or a brit ex pat asking if we have that technology…of course we do.and we dont have to leave the cab for it…but its costly…we can also use the internet cafe…where theres one in every town…but it costs a small fortune…unless your an owner driver like coffee and earning a mint…
AlexxInNY:
Gee, don’t you guys have truckstop “hotspots” or even cellphone system WiFi yet? Over here, almost every major truckstop offers (for a price) wireless hotspots for those with an account and a wireless modem to use.
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You must remember Alex, that Britain is a very primative country. Most towns in Britain are not even connected to mains electricity, so I can’t see that this type of technology would be very popular here.
