Wireless Internet providers in Washington, D.C. advice and ratings 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).

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

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Read web logs (blogs) for wireless Internet for Washington DC

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 Washington, DC

I recommend: Save the Internet Blog posts on a variety of timely Internet provider issues in Washington DC. My Two Dollars provides posts on wireless providers like AT&T, which provides wireless Internet service in Washington, DC.

Review rating services for wireless Internet in Washington DC

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

I recommend: RateItAll provides ratings on wireless Internet service providers, including Boingo Wireless and AT&T Wireless, which both offer service in Washington, DC. ISP Rank provides ratings for Internet providers in Washington DC.

Look for articles on award-winning Washington DC wireless Internet services

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

I recommend: ConsumerSearch rated Verizon FiOS, which offers service in Washington DC, as the Best Reviewed Internet provider. NXTcomm awarded a 2008 Eos Award in the Wireless Services category to Alcatel-Lucent, a wireless Internet provider in the Washington DC area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Highly rated Washington DC wireless Internet service 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.

You'll have lots of choices for wireless Internet in DC for your business needs since it's such an active metropolitan area. Regardless of whether you need to send an email on your laptop, surf the web on your phone or check an appointment on your Blackberry, you should have no trouble connecting with wireless Internet providers Washington, DC.

Before you hop into a free wireless Internet service provider in Washington, DC, remember that there are security risks involved. Before hooking into any service make sure that you have safeguarded yourself in these ways:

1. Unless you are given a WEP or WPA key to enter at the Washington, DC wireless Internet provider, everything your computer is sending or receiving can be seen by hackers.

2. Get a VPN on your laptop so whatever you send or receive is encrypted when using wireless Internet in DC.

3. Avoid web sites where you must entering user name and passwords unless those sites begin with https instead of http. URLs beginning with https are encrypted.

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Try a few different Washington, DC wireless Internet providers

While wireless Internet in Washington, DC is plentiful, they are not all created equal. Some places are noisier than others which may not be conducive to the work you need to do. Some have more comfortable seating than others so you will want to test out a few places before settling on your final selection.

I recommend: Visit Just Click Local, Open WiFi Spots and WiFi 411, and you can instantly pull up lists of places where you can gain Internet access for Washington, DC. These sites allow you to plug in whatever postal code you want to see where you can go for WiFi.

Locate Free Washington, DC wireless Internet

There are plenty of free WiFi locations in Washington, DC, but there are some caveats to using free WiFi spots. If it is lunchtime, chances are you will be limited to 30 minutes before getting kicked off of the network. Even if a café offers free WiFi, they still expect that you will buy something so it may be worth it to spend $3 for an overpriced coffee to keep on good terms with the provider.

I recommend: For free Washington, DC wireless Internet service check out I Love Free WiFi and WiFi Free Spot. These sites will also allow you to put in any postal code to see lists of free WiFi places.

Consider buying service from a wireless ISP in Washington, DC

Although there are is free wireless Internet in DC, you might want to buy your service from a wireless ISP in Washington, DC anyway. Free WiFi providers often put limits on the amount of time you can be on their network or restrict its hours of use which may not be convenient for you.

I recommend: Alltel and Verizon Wireless are two of the biggest wireless Internet service providers in Washington, DC.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You may need to purchase a wireless card for older laptops in order to take advantage of wireless Internet in DC. Consult your laptop manual to see whether your computer is wireless ready or not.

Wireless Internet providers in Washington, D.C. pricing and costs are competitive and depend primarily on the services provided. Upload and download speed have a direct effect on the service costs. Other pricing factors may include the length of the contract and the number of email addresses permitted. Business packages, which are available through most Washington DC wireless ISP companies, provide faster connections and allow multiple users. Business packages typically offer a substantial savings per user over residential packages.

The total price of wireless Internet in DC depends on a variety of specific costs. These expenses generally fall into one of the following three categories:

1. Installation cost for wireless Internet for DC. This usually includes the installation of the antenna and cabling on the outside of the building. Customers also may have the option of buying the equipment or using the provider's equipment.
2. Business plans that include a wireless Internet service provider in Washington DC. Business services typically provide greater speed and allow more users than residential packages.
3. Technical support for Washington DC wireless Internet services. These services typically include an online FAQ or a consultation with a support specialist.
   

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Get the installation costs for wireless Internet for Washington DC

The standard installation of equipment for wireless Internet service in Washington DC is usually a flat rate. Difficult installations may require additional cabling, or a larger antenna may be required to achieve a wireless Internet connection in Washington DC.

I recommend: DC Access is a local provider in Washington DC and charges an installation fee around $100 for all service packages. HughesNet is a national wireless Internet provider with service in Washington DC and offers a one-time equipment purchase of $300 or rental of $10 per month, with free installation for either equipment package.

Find pricing on wireless Internet Washington DC for businesses

Many wireless Internet providers in Washington DC offer business packages that offer substantial savings when the cost for each user is calculated. Business plans also may include special service agreements for businesses requiring wireless Internet access in Washington DC.

I recommend: Great American Networks is a local provider of wireless Internet service in Washington DC and offers business packages from less than $400 per month to $5,000 per month. Rapid Link is a national wireless Internet provider with service in Washington DC that charges about $400 to $2,000 per month for business class service.

Research costs of support services from Washington DC wireless Internet providers

Technical support for Washington DC wireless Internet service frequently is included with the package and usually consists of technical support specialists who are available by phone, email or online chat. Wireless Internet providers in Washington DC may also provide additional support services for a customer's business.

I recommend: BroadAspect provides wireless Internet access to businesses in the DC metro area. It also provides toll free technical support and website monitoring services that range from $2 to $12 per month, depending on frequency. Verizon offers wireless Internet services in Washington DC with premium technical support for around $15 per month.

When selecting a wireless Internet provider in Washington D.C., many factors influence the decision. Service and provider knowledge is near the top of list of these factors. If you don't understand the product or the local provider, it can lead to a poor choice and eventually lose revenue or customers. Wireless Internet providers in Washington, D.C. key terms are an excellent starting point for the accumulation of this knowledge. From these key terms, you can construct a thorough understanding of the industry and in the end improve your business technology.

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DC Access

DC Access is one of the leading local wireless Internet providers in the Washington, D.C. area. DC Access also has strategic partnerships that can serve most businesses' wireless Internet needs.

I recommend: Review the services available at DC Access for more information.

Wi-Fi Alliance

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a non-profit organization that certifies wireless Internet providers and offers resources related to the industry. Before you select a wireless Internet service provider in the Washington D.C. area, it's best to check their credentials out at the Wi-Fi Alliance.

I recommend: Examine the scope and purpose of the Wi-Fi Alliance for further details.

CTIA-The Wireless Association

CTIA-The Wireless Association is a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. that represents all forms of wireless providers throughout the United States. The organization also initiates public safety campaigns using wireless technology. This entity is an excellent resource on reputable wireless Internet providers in the Washington, D.C. area.

I recommend: Study the company profile for the CTIA-The Wireless Association for more information on the term.

Mobile broadband connect

Mobile broadband connect is a technology available at most every Washington, D.C. wireless Internet service provider. This technology allows your business to connect phones and PDAs directly to the office network.

I recommend: Evaluate the mobile broadband connect tutorial at Verizon Wireless.

3G network

The 3G network is the term for third generation wireless Internet technology. Smartphones and PDAs are the primary products that use the 3G network technology. Before you choose a wireless Internet service provider in Washington, D.C., be sure that they offer a 3G network.

I recommend: Assess the 3G definition available at ZDNet.

Great American Networks

The Great American Networks is a wireless Internet service provider in Washington, D.C. that offers the latest in wireless technology. While larger companies take time to integrate new technologies, a smaller local company like Great American Networks can move quickly when new technology is available.

I recommend: Study the profile and services available at Great American Networks.