#Nophone day one: Are we suffering from cellular withdrawals yet?

Maybe we picked the wrong day to quit talking.

Just as we began the eight hour drive from Orlando to Pensacola Beach, Fla. today, a gaggle of relatives descended on grandma’s house and decided they wanted to chat that afternoon.

But wait! We’ve given up the cell phones for the next seven days.

We needed a reliable high-speed Internet signal, and we needed it fast.

Starbucks seemed like a good candidate. Its signal is free and usually reliable, but a visit to the coffee shop also means consuming extreme amounts of caffeine, and for the kids, sweet pastries. Just the thing they need for a long ride in the car.

Candidate number two was Panera. Same problem.

McDonalds? No way.

We were hoping to find a rest area with free Wi-Fi, but no such luck. So we did what we had to: We opened the Skype app on our cell phone and made the call, putting us at the mercy of the generously-spaced cellular towers between Tallahassee and Pensacola.

The call took place in one of the more scarcely populated parts of Florida’s panhandle where a 4G signal is as rare as snow, which made the call challenging from a connectivity standpoint. But after several false starts, the connection held and the kids talked with their grandparents, great-aunts and uncles, and best of all, they got to see them too.

(How are the relatives? They’re fine. They did most of the talking.)

Before we sign off today, let’s address our cellular withdrawals. We haven’t experienced them yet.

As some of our commenters have pointed out, we are technically using a cellular signal for data. That’s correct. We are still on the network for the data, but not for voice calls.

If it were possible to go off the cellular network entirely, then believe me, we’d do it. America’s cellular network is in a class by itself. (That would be the the class of 1999.)

The fact that we’re not really using AT&Ts oh-so-reliable voice network hasn’t really hit us yet. Maybe it will tomorrow, maybe not. We’re staying at the Holiday Inn Resort in Pensacola Beach, where the wireless signal is strong and it hasn’t been necessary to make a phone call yet.

But the work week hasn’t started. Tomorrow will be the real test …

  • y_p_w

    Several of those establishments you mentioned have open WiFi networks that technically don’t ask that you prove you made a purchase. All you typically need is to approve their terms, which are pretty standard things such as not maliciously interfering with other users. The service at McDonald’s is specifically provided by AT&T, who probably subsidizes the service for it’s promotional value, and McDonald’s has made claims that they don’t care if you make a purchase. Depending on the type of location, you could probably just park outside within range of the WiFi access and tap into the network.

    **quote**
    http://www.dallasnews.com/business/technology/20091215-McDonald-s-deal-with-ATandT-makes-2026.ece

    About 11,000 of the more than 13,000 U.S. locations will offer free Wi-Fi under an arrangement with Dallas-based AT&T Inc., said David Groom, chief information officer for McDonald’s USA.About 200 of the 300 McDonald’s restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth have Wi-Fi access, a spokeswoman said.”We’re excited about it,” Groom said. “One thing our customers have told us is: ‘We like your Wi-Fi, but would you make it free?’ This is one thing they’ve consistently asked for. It’s just another reason to come to McDonald’s.”Groom said visitors to the restaurants will not have to buy anything to use the service. “Free is free,” he said.”**unquote**
    Starbucks has terms that you don’t need to make a purchase:
    “http://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/wireless-internet
    Starbucks offers free, one-click, unlimited Wi-Fi at all company-owned stores in the United States, including instant access to theStarbucks Digital Network. There’s no purchase or subscription required, no password needed and no time limit on your session.”
    Now recently I did try using Motel 6 WiFi that I paid $2.99 for a 24 hour window. Long story why I stayed there, but let’s say this area was not amenable with Priceline for that day. I had two devices and was told that I could use both with the same code. Well they did both work, but only one at a time. Once I logged on the other device with my single password, the other device was locked out of their Internet access, although it was still connected to their WiFi. I checked the speed using a built-in utility, and it was either maxing out at steady 40 Kbyte/sec, or at other times peaking and dropping. It was definitely speed limited for each device, even though I’m sure they had faster source speeds.

    Now there is something to be said for providers that do limit the access to paying customers for a limited amount of time. I’m a fan of Peet’s Coffee, and all their company owned locations have 2-hour complimentary internet access with a code. Theoretically no purchase is needed, but for the most part I don’t think the employees care. I’ve made a purchase and came back to get a passcode later. The last time I used their access, it was absolutely flying. I think they had a super fast connection and only about three or four people actually using it.

  • y_p_w

    OK, I’ll try again. Not sure why the last two went into a black hole (moderation queue?).

    Starbucks and McDonald’s have publicly stated that they require no purchase in order to use their internet access. All you need is to approve their terms, which are that you don’t do anything malicious on their network.

    You could park within range and do your call from your vehicle.

  • Carchar

    Ditto to y_p_w. I have used their parking lots in a pinch.

    And you can get healthy fare in Starbucks and Panera’s, you know. I have grandchildren the same age as your children and there is no problem with healthy sandwiches and salads in both. No caffeine for them, either. ;)