Must I buy a PC Card?

I'm a real technie klutz! I've read as much info as I could find, but I
still need help understanding something about Wi-Fi PC Cards.

I have a new laptop with the Intel PRO Wireless 3945 802.11 a/g Mini Card
(54Mbps) installed. I also purchased a router for our home and was
successful in following the instructions to connect the router to my
high-speed modem and activating the wireless connection to my laptop.

I will be travelling the country in my camper and will bring my laptop with
me. Obviously, I cannot bring the modem or the router. My questions --

1. As I understand it, I need to subscribe to a service (such as Verizon)
in order to receive wireless signals from their towers (access points?). Is
that right?
2. Do I have to purchase their PC card? Or will the Mini Card that is
already in my laptop suffice?

Thank you very much!

MAP wrote:

> I'm a real technie klutz! I've read as much info as I could find, but I
> still need help understanding something about Wi-Fi PC Cards.
>
> I have a new laptop with the Intel PRO Wireless 3945 802.11 a/g Mini Card
> (54Mbps) installed. I also purchased a router for our home and was
> successful in following the instructions to connect the router to my
> high-speed modem and activating the wireless connection to my laptop.
>
> I will be travelling the country in my camper and will bring my laptop
> with
> me. Obviously, I cannot bring the modem or the router. My questions --
>
> 1. As I understand it, I need to subscribe to a service (such as Verizon)
> in order to receive wireless signals from their towers (access points?).
> Is that right?
> 2. Do I have to purchase their PC card? Or will the Mini Card that is
> already in my laptop suffice?
>
> Thank you very much!

You've done just great - don't put yourself down! You will need to buy the
additional pc card that works with whatever service (like Verizon) you
choose. When you are in places with Internet cafes - T-Mobile connections
at Starbucks for ex. or at a hotel/motel with broadband - then you would
connect to their broadband connection with either your built-in wireless or
ethernet and not use the Verizon which is much slower but better than
nothing.

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

Thank you, Malke, for your encouraging words, and for your response to my
inquiry. I visited the store of a service provider today and learned quite a
bit more about how this technology works. I'm going to proceed with the
additional PC card and go from there...smile! Thanks again!

"Malke" wrote:

> MAP wrote:
>
> > I'm a real technie klutz! I've read as much info as I could find, but I
> > still need help understanding something about Wi-Fi PC Cards.
> >
> > I have a new laptop with the Intel PRO Wireless 3945 802.11 a/g Mini Card
> > (54Mbps) installed. I also purchased a router for our home and was
> > successful in following the instructions to connect the router to my
> > high-speed modem and activating the wireless connection to my laptop.
> >
> > I will be travelling the country in my camper and will bring my laptop
> > with
> > me. Obviously, I cannot bring the modem or the router. My questions --
> >
> > 1. As I understand it, I need to subscribe to a service (such as Verizon)
> > in order to receive wireless signals from their towers (access points?).
> > Is that right?
> > 2. Do I have to purchase their PC card? Or will the Mini Card that is
> > already in my laptop suffice?
> >
> > Thank you very much!
>
> You've done just great - don't put yourself down! You will need to buy the
> additional pc card that works with whatever service (like Verizon) you
> choose. When you are in places with Internet cafes - T-Mobile connections
> at Starbucks for ex. or at a hotel/motel with broadband - then you would
> connect to their broadband connection with either your built-in wireless or
> ethernet and not use the Verizon which is much slower but better than
> nothing.
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic"
>

MAP wrote:

> Thank you, Malke, for your encouraging words, and for your response to my
> inquiry. I visited the store of a service provider today and learned
> quite a
> bit more about how this technology works. I'm going to proceed with the
> additional PC card and go from there...smile! Thanks again!

You're most welcome. Have fun traveling in your camper!

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"