02-27-2007, 07:33 PM

Hi everyone. I bought my first ever Mac yesterday & I'm stumped.

It's got wireless internet built-in, a feature I wanted as I plan to travel overseas & want to hook up wherever I am - coverage permitting - to the net.

Problem is, I've never had a net account anywhere in the world & just don't know how these things work. Do you pay-as-you-go, so to speak, on individual providers wherever you are or do you buy one thing at home that will have a kind of roaming agreement with wherever you happen to be?

If anyone replies please bear in mind I'm new to this & instructions suitable for a ten-year-old would be good.

Thanks in advance.

02-27-2007, 07:38 PM

I don't think I'm quite understanding you clearly.

Your Macbook has a wireless card built in, giving you the capabilities of connecting to any wireless hotspot you encounter.

02-27-2007, 07:41 PM

It asks me for a password whichever network I find?

02-27-2007, 07:42 PM

Wireless in computers isn't like cellular networks, at least not entirely.

To connect to the Internet at home, you would need something like a wireless router that is hooked up to your Internet connection, say a cable or DSL modem. The router works very much like other routers in that it splits the connection among several computers, but has antennas so wireless computers can use the connection as well.

Now, wireless routers have the option to add passwords so that only computers with the password can connect and use that particular connection. If you don't have a password, you can't connect to that router, and thus can't get Internet access. While traveling, you will find both wireless networks with and without such passwords.

Many commercial outlets, such as cafes and book stores, will offer wireless Internet for their customers. Some of these may be free in that you just connect and off you go. Others may require you to pay for them. You can either buy single use passes that last for a certain number of hours/days, or you can get a subscription plan for services such as Tmobile Hot Spots. These subscriptions let you connect to every wireless hotspot offered by that particular company. For example, Starbucks has a contract with Tmobile where you will always be able to find a Tmobile wireless network at their stores. So you can buy yourself a year pass and use it at every Starbucks shop. There are several other companies that offer such services. You should be able to check on their websites for coverage areas.

Hope this answers the basics. If you have any more questions or if anything was unclear, let us know and we'll help you out. :black:

02-27-2007, 07:46 PM

What you're referring to is Global Roaming. You join up in the country in which you live and then you can access the internet in the overseas locations that they cover. You would have to research to see which company suits your needs.

Global Roaming

If you travel with a laptop computer, accessing your BigPond email and internet service is as easy as making a dial-up call. BigPond Global Roaming is available to all BigPond Members.

As a member of the iPass Global NetworkTM you have a dial-up phone number to use in countries all over the world.

Rate per hour $8.00 per hour (excludes GST) if used overseas.
GST applies if used within Australia.
Call costs Local call charges apply separately.
BigPond Roaming locations

For the latest list of countries and locations available for BigPond Global Roaming, click here

Setting up BigPond Global Roaming

Make sure you enable your BigPond Global Roaming before you go overseas.
Once Global Roaming has been enabled, you will need to download the iPass software from here.

For detailed set-up and testing instructions, please read the BigPond Global Roaming User Guide before you leave.

02-27-2007, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Kash

a wireless router / a cable or DSL modem

I'm not 100% sure what they are. Told you I was new - ie, thick!

Originally Posted by Kash

Starbucks has a contract with Tmobile where you will always be able to find a Tmobile wireless network at their stores. So you can buy yourself a year pass and use it at every Starbucks shop

But this sounds like the answer to my problems. Thanks. Does it apply worldwide though?

02-27-2007, 07:53 PM

Here's a list of all the countries Tmobile offers WiFi hotspots:

T-Mobile HotSpot Locations

Remember, there are other services also available. What countries in particular will you be visiting?

02-27-2007, 07:54 PM

I'll check Starbucks tomorrow. If that's all it needs I'm a happy man.

Not exactly the scenario the guy in the shop described - "just turn it on anywhere in the world & it'll automatically connect to the internet".

Cheers.

02-27-2007, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by Kash

Here's a list of all the countries Tmobile offers WiFi hotspots:

T-Mobile HotSpot Locations

Remember, there are other services also available. What countries in particular will you be visiting?

Thailand.

02-27-2007, 07:56 PM

Welcome to Mac-forums, Hitman.

I think the salesman probably thought you had an ISP (Internet Service Provider) to get on the Internet.

DOH! Never mind, misread the post.

Well hotels must have Internet service?

02-27-2007, 08:01 PM

Thanks for the speedy responses guys. Most helpful. I'll have a bash at them tomorrow. If I have no luck I'll get back to you. I'll be getting back to you with my next problem anyway, I'm sure.

02-27-2007, 08:02 PM

Always glad to help :black:

Also, be sure to use the User Reputation System (it's the button on the left that has a checkmark and X on it)