Integrated Wireless Concerns

[vtninja]

I'm looking for some feedback on the wireless performance of the X3i. First, do you need to sign up with some kind of internet provider w/ their fees and all that? I'm just not sure how this wireless thing works. Am I going to have to pay MSN $29.99/mo to use the wireless? It seems like sticking with my internet access through a cell phone is the more logical route (more reliable as well) Second, how reliable is it? Are there a lot of "dead zones" or are the "hotspots" pretty well established? I live in a small city but often travel to more remote areas. Will the reliability be an issue? Sorry for th 20 questions, just trying to work out some uncertainties before pulling the trigger.
Thanks

[Howard2k]

Fees: If you are around town then there are wireless ISP hotspot providers. Some are free, most are not. So you pay a per minute or a monthly fee for access. While at home, you can use a wireless router/ap and share your own internet connection wirelessly. So in that case (subject to terms and conditions in your ISPs contract) you are not charged. You use the wireless to access your existing broadband connection.

So:
home = generally no
out and about = generally yes
There are always exceptions.

No way for us to tell you how many hotspots there are or how many deadzones there are since you don't say where you live. In Toronto there is good coverage. In Baghdad I imagine it's pretty weak.

Realiability should not be an issue. The biggest issue is user education. Take a wander over to the Wireless forum and look in the FAQ in the first thread. It will answer some of your questions and give you an idea of what you're getting yourself into.