At home I have WiFi via a broadband connection. It serves me quite reliably, but occasionally I do have some problems. Also when traveling, I’m not guaranteed an internet connection. About 9 months ago, I lost my connection at home for an extended time period (1 week), and realized how lost I was without Internet access. I have no idea when movies are playing. I don’t own any maps. If I didn’t have my cell phone, I would be hard pressed to know how to contact anyone. I’ve become quite Internet dependent in the last 5 years starting when I first got broadband.

Given how I learned how critical internet access is for me, I now always have a backup. I use my mobile phone as modem, and all it took was a $3 cable (plus shipping) from eBay. Some mobile phone carriers allow access to a data network via a connected device without any additional fees besides the use of minutes (which can be free during off peak hours). Other carriers if you subscribe to the data plan allow you access to the network as well via computer.

I use Verizon, and can connect to their Express Network using only my minutes. I believe the following carriers offer free (minutes only) access to the data network

These other providers allow you to use your phone as modem but only if you subscribe to one of their data plans.

You’ll notice I’ve listed Verizon under both provider categories. This is because it’s possible to access the slower Express Network (1XRTT) network using minutes only, but if you want access to higher EVDO network, you have to have a data plan and the right phone. I’ve been using the slower network for the last 9 months without much of hitch on both my PC and Mac without much of problem. It’s all my understanding some customers who have been with Verizon for a long time may not be provisioned the Express Network MOU (minutes only use) and would need to call Verizon to get it provisioned before it works. Personally, I didn’t have any problems with either my PC or my Mac. The only difficulty on the Mac was locating the USB driver for my phone.  I was lucky on my PC that I was able to download the Verizon Mobile Office Package which came with drivers.   If you decide to connect via the standard windows software, you’ll have to locate USB drivers as well.

Smartdevice central also publishes a guide with Mac users in mind.   I pulled most of the “How Tos” that I’ve linked to from SmartDevice Central.