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Internet Options For Office Trailers
Working in an office trailer is ideal in many ways, as it affords flexibility and portability for a low total cost. However, if your business requires the Internet, convenience can quickly turn sour unless you know what the Internet options are for your office trailer.
There are many ways to get online in your office trailer, and the best solution for you takes your location, your budget, and your equipment for Internet access in your office trailer into account. Follow me as I connect you with the basics of office trailer Internet access.
Wireless PC Card
Pros: convenience, versatility, speed, none of that complicated Internet equipment
Cons: Expensive, requires cell reception, locked in to a contract
A wireless PC card can be a great way to access the Internet anywhere, including your office trailer. This small card plugs right into your computer’s PCI slot and, using the same wireless technology that your cell phone does, connects your computer to a high-speed internet connection.
Well-suited for transferring large files or documents on the go, the most inconvenient thing about the wireless Internet card is its cost. Ranging anywhere from $40-$70 per month, for each wireless Internet card, it can get pricey if you are on a strict budget. However, if you have a business cell phone, you may be able to use that same network for a discounted price—talk to your wireless provider about a plan that combines wireless internet access and cell phone usage in order to make the most of the wireless Internet card for your office trailer.
The other major caveat is that the wireless PC card requires a cell-phone network connection to work properly in your office trailer. If your office trailer is located in an area with little or no cell phone reception, you may need to consider another Internet option for your office trailer.
Also, a wireless PC card is usually a contracted time commitment, so make sure that you aren’t going to be paying for a year of service you don’t need when you sign the service agreement.
And keep in mind that this Internet solution will not help you if you use Mac computers instead of PCs.
Broadband Internet Access
Pros: relatively inexpensive, high-speed Internet, wireless option, month-to-month service
Cons: availability, consistency
While cable uses the cable television connection and DSL Internet uses the phone line, they function in much the same way—providing high-speed Internet access to a group of computers at a comparable, affordable price (usually somewhere around $40-$60/month). Both require an ethernet network card for each computer you would like to be online, and a single, special modem. You can easily install these units yourself for free or a nominal fee, because a service appointment for installation can cause up to $100.
With cable or DSL Internet access, you can either plug the computer into the Internet connection, or you can use a wireless router to broadcast wireless Internet over your entire office trailer. This option allows for a number of computers to be online in your office trailer without the hassle of cables or wires, but requires that each computer have wireless Internet capability.
While service availability can be an issue, if you are able to get cable TV in your office trailer, you will probably be able to get cable internet for your office trailer internet needs as well. DSL Internet access for your office trailer, however, is a little trickier; the service is better the closer it is to the telephone company’s central hub.
Lastly, because cable and DSL are both usually month-to-month services, you can often cancel at a moment’s notice with no penalties or fees, making this a great, flexible Internet access option.
Dial-Up Internet Service
Pros: cheap, no equipment
Cons: extremely low speed, inconvenient
The other Internet access option for your office trailer is a dial-up connection, which allows access to the Internet through the phone line. This option, by far the slowest, can function as an acceptable alternative to high-speed DSL/cable Internet only if your business requires occasional, limited, access to the Internet. If you plan on downloading or sending large files, or if you plan on surfing the web, a dial-up connection is not for your office trailer.
Check around in your area, as DSL is often almost as cheap, and for much better service.
Now that you have a good idea of what kind of Internet you would like in your office trailer, start receiving quotes on your perfect office trailer here!