Wireless Internet in Florida is essential for most business professionals to have access to, as it provides them with the flexibility of working anywhere. If you previously did not consider trying out wireless Internet because you thought it was expensive, think again. Florida wireless Internet services are competitively priced, and are now considered as fast as DSL and much faster than a dial-up connection. Wireless Internet services in Florida should no longer be considered a luxury purchase, but a necessary expense to help your business stay competitive.

When considering wireless Internet providers in Florida pricing and costs, how you want to get online will determine your price. Ask yourself if you want to connect through your laptop, or if you want to take advantage of your cell phone's ability to access the Internet. Perhaps you want to do both. Fortunately, you have many affordable options, such as the following:

1. Get Internet access on your laptop computer using Florida Internet providers.
2. Get online using your cell phone.
3. Obtain the Internet on your laptop through your cell phone.
   

Action Steps
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Use Florida wireless ISPs to get online using your laptop

Get online using your laptop with the help of Florida Internet companies. Such a connection is helpful for professionals who want the convenience of portability, but need to work on projects using a word processing program or other service not found on a typical cell phone. WISPs in Florida charge $25 to $50 on average.

I recommend: KissimmeeWeb and Qmega Technologies both offer wireless Internet packages from $25 to $50 per month. The price depends on the speed you desire, and whether you need business or residential access.

Obtain a wireless Internet plan in Florida for your phone

If you would like to access the Internet while in line at the store, on your lunch break or any other place where you just need quick access to information found only on the Web, consider obtaining Internet access on your phone. Many cell phone providers that service Florida offer a data plan that allows users to get online for anywhere from $20 to $60 per month.

I recommend: Get Internet in Florida from T-Mobile for $40 to $55 per month. AT&T charges $20 to $60 per month for unlimited Internet, depending on your phone and data usage needed.

Use your phone's wireless Internet plan in Florida to get online with your laptop

If your laptop did not come with an Ethernet card, you can still get Internet in Florida by purchasing a wireless Internet plan on your cell phone. As long as your phone can sustain an Internet connection, you can use it to get access on your laptop. Simply use a cable to transfer the Internet to your laptop, a process known as tethering. Such services cost about $15 to $30 per month from your phone service provider, in addition to a data plan.

I recommend: Verizon Wireless and Alltel Wireless both charge $15 to $30 monthly for tethering in Florida, depending on your phone.

Wireless Internet in Florida is a lifesaver for business professionals who get work done while on the run. Wireless Internet allows you to work without being tied to an office or tethered to a land line telephone.

If you have been hesitant about obtaining wireless Internet for fear that it is abysmally slow, fear no more. Florida Internet companies offer a service that is akin to speedy DSL. To get wireless Internet in Florida, you need to have the following:

1. A laptop, smartphone or PDA;

2. A wireless Internet plan;

3. An ethernet card for your laptop or tethering equipment to connect your cell phone to your laptop.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Add a wireless Internet plan to your cell phone service plan

If you have a smartphone or PDA, you can get wireless Internet from it. Simply having Internet access on your phone does not mean you have wireless, but it can be added to any phone. Only a smartphone or PDA is set up for wireless, which is a stronger connection, just like you get on any computer. If this sounds like something you could use to maintain stability and continuity throughout your work day no matter where you are, contact your phone service provider for wireless Internet service.

I recommend: T-Mobile offers several inexpensive wireless plans, as does Alltel Communications. Cheaper plans allow even students to get wireless Internet.

Use your cell phone's wireless Internet services on your laptop

If your laptop did not come with an ethernet card, and you cannot spend the money to purchase one right now, you can use your smartphone or PDA's wireless connection to get service on your laptop. This is called tethering, and simply requires a cable and a wireless connection on your phone. Some smartphones require a wireless service plan just to use them, so the fees are included in your monthly cell phone bill. If this is the case, you should have to pay only for the cable to tether the laptop and phone together.

I recommend: Verizon Wireless offers BroadbandAccess Connect, which has the tools and services needed for tethering. AT&T also is among the wireless Internet providers in Florida that offer the tools and support needed for tethering.

Obtain wireless Internet services on your laptop through Florida Internet providers

If you take your laptop with you everywhere, you can obtain wireless Internet for it so that no matter where you go, you are able to check your email, work on projects or communicate with co-workers through VoIP programs online. Florida wireless ISPs can provide such convenience.

I recommend: SmartWires prides itself on allowing Florida customers to connect anywhere they want, while AirCom Broadband recommends its services to small businesses because of the many options it offers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you find it difficult to find wireless Internet providers in Florida that offer free Internet at certain locations, why not start your own wireless hot-spot? You can appeal to potential customers by offering either limited or unlimited hours of wireless Internet with a small purchase. You will likely attract more students and businesspeople with this tactic.

Advice and ratings on wireless Internet providers in Florida are typically based on general factors such as customer support, price, speed and quality of service. Ratings on wireless Internet services also rely on specific factors like the ability to roam between different providers. Wireless Internet providers also may be rated on value-added features, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and Virtual Private Networking (VPN).

Florida Internet companies frequently offer service in rural areas where cable and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) do not cover. For this reason, businesses in rural areas are especially dependent upon ratings and advice on wireless Internet services. There are three general sources for evaluating wireless Internet providers:

1. Blogs about Florida Internet providers. A credible blog or other type of social media may include posts from regular users who share their personal experiences with a Florida wireless Internet provider.
2. Ratings services of Florida wireless Internet providers. Recognized experts may provide ratings or give awards to Internet service providers that offer exceptional service.
3. Awards for Florida wireless Internet providers. This form of recognition may be given to companies that demonstrate excellence in a particular area or field.
   

Action Steps
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Read web logs (blogs) for wireless Internet in Florida

Blogs contain posts from Internet users and professionals who have personal experience with Internet service providers. These blogs also discuss issues that are important to Internet service providers in Florida.

I recommend: Wireless and Mobile News blogs on wireless Internet providers in Florida, as well as providers who offer services in other states. Light Reading provides a blog with information and analysis on the telecom industry, including wireless Internet providers with service offerings in Florida.

Review rating services for Florida Internet providers

Rating services provide relative ratings on Internet service providers and also may offer analyses. The ratings are frequently contributed by readers who have actually used the service.

I recommend: myISPforum provides extensive ratings and reviews of wireless ISPs, many of which provide service in Florida. ComputerWorld has rankings of national wireless Internet providers that offer Internet service across the country and in Florida.

Look for articles on award-winning wireless Internet providers in Florida

Awards can be an excellent way of identifying the best wireless Internet service providers in Florida. Awards recipients must compete against other providers and may need to meet specific criteria.

I recommend: Device Arena reports that AT&T, a wireless Internet service provider that offers services in Florida, has received the 2008 Gartner & 1to1Media Customer Award for excellence in customer focus. Roadrunner, a wireless Internet provider in Florida, achieved the highest ranking in the J.D. Powers and Associates Residential Customer Satisfaction Study for 2008.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Highly rated Florida wireless Internet providers should belong to the Wi-Fi Alliance. This organization is a non-profit organization that promotes wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). The Wi-Fi Alliance has certification and testing programs that establish the interoperability of wireless products. The use of Wi-Fi certified products continues to expand in both consumer and enterprise markets.

With business growing more mobile by the day, finding the right wireless Internet provider should be a key part of a business plan. It's almost a necessity for you and your employees to be connected at all times and this is no different in Florida. The size of Florida makes it imperative that you or your company have a reliable wireless Internet connection. However, choosing the right wireless Internet providers in Florida requires thorough research and study. The following key terms are a great place to begin this industry education.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

ExpressCard

The ExpressCard is a way to upgrade current desktops and laptops to receive wireless Internet without a sizeable cash outlay. Most wireless Internet providers in Florida have this option available when you sign up for their services. However, be sure to ask prior to signing any contracts.

I recommend: Review the ExpressCard information available from the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association.

SmartWires

SmartWires is a local wireless Internet service provider in Florida. SmartWires is based in Florida but has offices and wireless coverage throughout the United States and other countries.

I recommend: Examine the company profile at SmartWires for further details.

Aircom Broadband

Aircom Broadband has its headquarters in Niceville, Florida and provides peer-to-peer wireless Internet service. Aircom Broadband has specific packages for small businesses.

I recommend: Evaluate the wireless Internet services available from Aircom Broadband.

Hotspot

A hotspot is any location that has a wireless network available for access. This can range from a closed network that's only accessible through a password to open wireless networks that are free for anyone to use. Most wireless Internet providers in Florida can provide details on the location of hotspots in your business area.

I recommend: Assess the definition of a hotspot offered at the PC Magazine.

Wireless Internet coverage area

A wireless Internet coverage area is the location you can travel to and still have wireless access. There are populated areas in Florida that have wireless coverage available. However, for areas outside of these locations you'll have to rely solely on your wireless Internet service provider for service.

I recommend: Study the wireless Internet coverage area at One Las Vegas for further details.

WebKraft High Speed Wireless

WebKraft High Speed Wireless is a wireless Internet service provider that currently covers the following counties in the state: Morriston, Mericamp Road, Lady Lake, The Villiages, Spruce Creek, Landfill, Ocala, Williston, and throughout Marion County.

I recommend: Click on the WebKraft High Speed Wireless coverage map to view their Wireless Internet coverage area.