I need advice explained in a very simple way as I haven't a clue about computers, service providers, hotspots or whatever.

I live in a caravan with no landline.

The caravan site is just about to install a hotspot.

I want to buy a laptop so that I can use this hotspot and have access to the web without having to go to the library to use their facilities.

Q) Do I have to have a computer fixed to a landline already and paying a service provider and then pay them for wireless on top - Or can a laptop work totally independant.

Q) Do I need a personal service provider and pay them for wireless prior to using a hotspot or does one not have their own service provider but pays to use the hotspot only.

Q) If one has to already have a service provider does one also have to pay to use a hotspot on top of that.

At the moment I have no equipment of my own and I have no access to a land line.

So how do I go about getting on the web using a hotspot?

Thanks in advance for your help.

To use another's Hotspot you just need an internal WiFi card in your laptop.

No cost beyond this card. It will hook up to any Hotspot.

If you want connectivity anywhere (with no Hotspot) then you would need an internal Broadband card and then contract with your own ISP (Verizon; Cingular etc.).

When you are purchasing your laptop these options are available for your selection.

What make and model of laptop are you considering?

So are you saying that

1) If I pay AOL for broadband that I don't have to already have a computer fixed up to a landline as I don't have a landline.

2) That I wouldn't have to pay for the use of the hotspot on top of paying AOL.

I don't know what laptop I will buy yet until I know exactly what will be best. I didn't want to go out and buy one incase I have to pay both an SP and for the use of the hotspot on top in case I couldn't afford to run a comp.

Another question is how close does one have to be to the hotspot in the way of feet or yards to get a reception.

Thank you for your help so far.

First off I wouldn't pay AOL for anything.

We might be missing each other on terminology when you say Hotspot to me it implies a third party that has a wired connection plus a wireless router. The third party (the caravan site) pays for this connection. To access this connection requires only a WiFi card within your laptop. The third party is paying for the connection. If you are charged for such a service it is from the third party and not the source of their connection.

For example I work at a guest house that has a wired broadband connection as well as a wireless router setup as a Hotspot for the guests. Any guest can access the internet via the house router. In this case there is no specific charge for the connection as it is figured into the rates of having a room.

So if your Caravan is setting up a Hotspot then it costs you nothing to use. It costs them. If they choose to charge you then that is between them and you.

Again a totally independent alternative is a private connection via a Broadband card and account which requires nothing but your laptop and the service you pay for yourself. This is just like an extension of any cellular phone service but it gives you total internet as well anywhere anytime.

Again a totally independent alternative is a private connection via a Broadband card and account which requires nothing but your laptop and the service you pay for yourself. This is just like an extension of any cellular phone service but it gives you total internet as well anywhere anytime.

Would this be recieving via satelite??

Are you sying that by using the camps hotspot I wouldn't need a seperate service provider.

I do understand that I would need a WiFi card but what I don't understand is who supplys this. Does one buy one at a retail outfit as a one off payment or does an SP provide it on a monthly subscribtion.

Please do excuse my ignorance but I honestly haven't a clue how anything like this works.

Originally Posted by Zandranna

Would this be recieving via satelite??

Yes. You pay for the service via a cellular provider. You just need the broadband card specific to that provider which will be installed by the laptop manufacturer. It is an order option.

Originally Posted by Zandranna

Are you sying that by using the camps hotspot I wouldn't need a seperate service provider.

Yes. The camp contracts the provider. All you need is a WiFi card. Again this is an order option installed by the laptop manufacturer.

Originally Posted by Zandranna

I do understand that I would need a WiFi card but what I don't understand is who supplys this. Does one buy one at a retail outfit as a one off payment or does an SP provide it on a monthly subscribtion.

This is an internal card inside the laptop. When you purchase your laptop you will have many options to choose from. You can choose a variety of WiFi cards and or Broadband cards specific to satellite providers.

Originally Posted by Zandranna

Please do excuse my ignorance but I honestly haven't a clue how anything like this works.

No problem. That's why we are here.

Thank you so much. I think I understand now and thank you for you patience with me.