As technology oriented as I am, I've always felt a bit behind the adoption curve for portable technology. I was purposely late to carry a cell phone, and I didn't consistently carry a personal digital assistant until last year. My personal technology decisions are based on my philosophy to use technology in ways that will enhance daily life -- not just to have the latest technology. It's the same philosophy that I use when coaching my clients on how to use technology in their businesses.
Yet, talking with Doug Luce, founder of Internet service provider Telerama, I realize that I'm not behind the curve. Doug's company has recently embarked on a mission to create wireless Internet access in key areas of Pittsburgh. So far he has 60 active "hot spots" and 100 on contract, some of which have not yet been installed. Of the approximately 600 users of his "Wi-fi" service, only four use PDAs. The vast majority connect via laptop.
Telerama and T-Mobile are by far the leaders in Wi-fi connectivity in the Pittsburgh market. While Telerama has installed hot spots in independent eateries, clubs and restaurants through the city, T-Mobile has installed them in chain locations for Borders and Starbucks. Both companies use technology based on the IEEE 802.11b wireless network standard. So if your laptop or PDA has an 802.11b Wi-fi card, you can walk into one of the hot spots and connect to the Internet to send mail, surf the Web or download your favorite music (legally or illegally) without a network cable.
At Starbucks in Shadyside, you can choose from either service as Telerama has set up a hot spot in the deli next door, competing head-on with the official Starbucks T-Mobile network. Telerama is announcing an agreement with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to turn the entire Pittsburgh Cultural District into a Wi-fi hot spot.
If you're not signed up for a Wi-fi service, all you need to do is walk into one of the hot spots with your Wi-fi enabled device and open your Web browser. In most cases, it will bring up a page that tells you about the local service available and give you instant sign-up options. They can get pretty pricey at $30 to $40 per month. But both companies give short-term access for a few dollars instead of requiring the monthly service.
Although Luce says he is now at break-even on the service, he's not making money hand over fist. So he's glad that Intel is having a special promotion today called "One Unwired Day." The company has arranged with hot-spot operators across the globe to open up their networks today -- for 24 hours only -- so anyone with a Wi-fi enabled device can try out the local Wi-fi network for free. It works well for Intel, trying to promote its Centrino technology. Laptop computers powered with Centrino have an integrated 802.11b device, so they are automatically Wi-fi enabled when you purchase one. The more hot spots near you, the more important Intel's Centrino becomes.
In lower Manhattan, where Verizon has already wired dozens of phone booths as hot spots, Intel is having a large party, just as it is in a handful of other large cities. Although Telerama has not yet achieved Intel verified status, the company is offering free access and placing student ambassadors from Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne and Pittsburgh universities at its hot spots to talk up its service.
So grab your laptop or PDA for the day, and sit in your favorite coffee establishment to work or play on the Internet for free. Tomorrow, you'll pay regular price again.
First Published: September 25, 2003, 4:00 a.m.