last fall during our RV trip through the upper midwest out to south
dakota and back here to illinois we used our verizon cellphone (v710)
for internet access most of the time.  most of the campgrounds and RV
parks we used during that trip (aug-oct) did not have wi-fi, free or
otherwise.  we just returned from our spring trip (mar-may) thru
missouri, arkansas, texas and ohio and ended up using our cellphone
for internet access only on 1 or 2 times and that was only when we
were parked overnight at truck stops (too cheap to buy the wi-fi
offered at those places).  EVERY campground and rv park we used
offered wi-fi at no extra charge or free for X days before charges
kicked in.  its clear from reading posts from others on this topic as
well as our own experiences that wi-fi, free or no-added-charge wi-fi,
is becoming more commonplace.  the cellphone is still a good
alternative or plan b but last year at this time it was plan a for us.

if you already have a cellphone capable of acting as a modem as well
as the cable and software then setting it up to access the net won't
cost much, if anything.  if you don't own a cellphone and are looking
to buy one for the first time then choosing a model which can also act
as a modem is a good idea (i'd be looking for one with bluetooth
capabilities so you can link to your laptop wirelessly but that's just
a preference of mine).  however, if you currently own a cellphone that
is NOT capable of acting as a modem and you're looking to switch to a
phone which CAN act as a modem AND that will cost you significant
dollars, I would recommend holding off and look at adding wi-fi to
your pc/laptop first. you may be surprised at how often you'll run
into free wi-fi.

i'd also recommend joining the following yahoo group for further
information:  <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByCellPhone/>.
its free to join.  if you do then be sure to go to the files section
and read the tutorials before posting any questions.  the tutorials
should answer many of your questions.

as for cellphone speeds...all i can speak to is verizon wireless.
without subscribing to a data plan i can access the net two ways.  the
first is called 'quick-2-net' which has a maximum speed of 14.4kbs
(dial-up is a max 56kbs by comparison).  Q2N is available in all
native verizon wireless areas and SOME partnered areas (called
'extended network' by verizon wireless).  the other network is called
'National Access' (NA) which has a top speed of between 100-200kbs.
NA is available only in native verizon wireless areas.  there is a 3rd
network (EVDO) which has speeds approaching that of DSL.  EVDO is
available, generally, only in the larger population areas and by
subscribing to a data plan.  my phone is not EVDO compatible and i do
not know all of the ins and outs but the info should be in the
tutorials i mentioned.  Q2N is adequate only for receiving/sending
text e-mail while NA is OK for that and web browsing.

i would AVOID public computers such as those found in kiosks and
libraries for everything except the most basic browsing.  if your
internet activity will involve the use of a password then avoid those
computers.  many have reported having passwords and user ID's stolen
as a result of keystroke logger software installed on those machines
by previous users.  i would absolutely not do any e-banking on a
public machine.  

hope this helps and good luck.

73,
rich, n9dko

I'm camped in Utah now and using Verizon. As long as you have a digital
connection you can usually connect to the Internet, but not always. I also
carry a wifi antenna.

Dennis

Check out the later string on this group regarding "Accessing the internet
using dileup...).  I think you might find that wireless access is becoming
more available.  We have not visited many places in the past year where we
couldn't pick up an open wireless connection from a hotel, mote, school or a
public-use wifi connect provided by small-town internet providers. If you
don't have wifi now it is a pretty reasonable addition.  Might be cheaper
than the cell phone alternative.

Don't forget local librairies too.  They often allow travelers to use their
equipment free of charge or with a free membership.  If you have a flash
drive you can move info from your machine easily for emailing, etc.

RonB