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Making your Own Mobile HotSpot with iBox2Go
By Dave Peterson | October 20, 2008
I have a couple friends traveling through some western states and having a hard time finding available broadband along the way. We are a mobile society and an increasingly information-based society, but our ability to connect to information while mobile is still limited. Until ubiquitous WiMax arrives, everyone’s got different ideas for how best to accomplish their uploads and downloads while away from the known quantity of home or office Internet connections.Pete Bickford, author of the outstanding ComicBase software, recently blogged about his own success solving the demands of staying connected on the road. Pete’s been using iBox2Go, which advertises itself as a take it with you HotSpot and offers two different versions. Both pack their hardware in small metal briefcases, making carry-with-you portability easy. Both use either Sprint or Verizon wireless cards as the initial connection to the Internet, then send that signal through a wireless router for shareable WiFi.
The iB100 (The Tiny Traveller) is simply the wireless card, a router, and a wall charger. The package goes for $199.99 (after rebate) and $59.99 a month. It has a 500-foot range and supports B and G wireless standards.
The iB500 (Professional Package) Brings a bit more hardware to the table, with an indoor antenna, a power inverter to enable in-car use, and a 4 port USB hub. It also broadcasts its signal up to 200 feet on the wireless N standard. The price is $299.99 (after rebate) and also requires $59.99 per month service from Sprint or Verizon.
For users who already have a wireless broadband card, either package is available without the card for about a $25 discount.
Of course, you’ll still be at the mercy of whichever wireless carrier you choose, but if you can find a good signal, the iBox2Go makes an easy job of sharing the broadband goodness around to several clients.
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