| Thanks to the current economic crisis, people are | | | | from wireless technology is college students. Since |
| taking public transportation now more than ever. | | | | the Chicagoland area is covered with universities, |
| Anything you can do to save a few bucks, right? | | | | the wireless companies have made sure that the |
| Chicagoans are no different. Whether you come in | | | | area is completely covered signal-wise. Students |
| on rail, the “L” or schlep across town by | | | | no longer have to worry about being near a |
| bus, everyone is commuting on public | | | | campus building to pick up a wireless signal. You |
| transportation these days. Drivers are now | | | | can be in a park, sitting by the lake or at any |
| carpooling, too. On the up side, all this mass | | | | restaurant and be able to connect to the internet. |
| commuting is great for the environment and you | | | | Class lectures can be downloaded and |
| can get some work done on the commute, | | | | assignments can be uploaded with ease from any |
| thanks to mobile broadband. | | | | location in Cook County thanks to the mobile |
| If you used to drive to work, you are probably | | | | broadband card. |
| dumbfounded by all the free time you now have | | | | Another group that benefits from wireless access |
| on the way to and from work. But why read | | | | is businesspeople. The average commute is |
| some old James Patterson novel or listen to the | | | | around 30 minutes each way. Imagine how much |
| same 30 songs on your iPod, when you could be | | | | work you can take care of in that amount of |
| getting work done? Bring your laptop along for | | | | time. On the way in to work, prep work can be |
| the commute and do something productive. | | | | done. Then, you can finish stuff up on the ride |
| Novels are to put you to sleep at night and iPods | | | | home. Or perhaps you head to a business |
| are for the gym. Start taking advantage of | | | | meeting over lunch and must make a |
| mobile technology, which allows you to connect to | | | | presentation, but forgot something at the office. |
| the internet from anywhere. All you need is a | | | | No problem. Just have someone email it to you. A |
| mobile card that you plug into your laptop and | | | | businessperson’s greatest convenience is |
| you are ready to go. | | | | wireless access wherever he or she goes. |
| Here’s how it works. These mobile cards use | | | | There are financial benefits, too. As the wireless |
| the same signal that many cell phones use for | | | | internet network becomes stronger each and |
| voice and internet services. Most of the cell phone | | | | every day, you can save money by consolidating |
| companies use a network called 3G. However, the | | | | your bills and using the mobile card at home as |
| latest technology is an upgrade from 3G, | | | | well. If the coverage is strong in your area, there |
| appropriately named 4G. It provides download | | | | is no point of having a traditional home connection |
| speeds of about three to four times that of 3G. | | | | and a mobile connection, especially since laptops |
| For comparison, 3G offers speeds that are 20 to | | | | have become more common than personal |
| 30 times faster than those of dial-up. | | | | computers anyway. |
| One group of people that can particularly benefit | | | | |