There is always a but.
You have to have Windows 7 on the host machine.

If you are like me, seemingly stuck in hotels that only have an old fashioned cable, this is for you.
I am sitting here (Beirut) typing on my laptop while my iPad is downloading an update. The only outside connection is via aforementioned cable, my iPad is talking through my laptop sans wire.
I ran across this last night, it took a bit more configuring than they advertise but now it seems to be working just fine. I had to go into the firewall settings and allow the program access but once I figured that out it fits the bill for what I need.

www.connectify.me

I have no connection with them other than a couple of "help" emails.

I travel for work just like you. It's finally getting really good with free Wi Fi at most all hotels with pretty good connections here in the U.S. I still carry a cable, just in case. But haven't had to use it the last year.

I get very irritated at the hotels that do charge for internet! I stayed at two different Embassy Suites in Indianapolis recently and was irritated that one charged you $12.00 a day (24hr period) and the other charged $9.00 a day. I complained saying that was a rip off because you can get free WiFi at about all other hotels, Starbucks, Panera Bread, McDonald's, and many other public area's. Well, the hotel staff didn't seem to care

It seems just the big downtown full service hotels charge you for the internet.

But, I finally got my own cell phone with internet and modem. I haven't used the modem yet, but the internet on the phone works great!! Now I can keep up with BCP.org, keep in touch with family and friends on Facebook and do some farming on too while I'm traveling and truckin down the big road.

We used to stay at one of the Marriott's in London, 15 POUNDS (about $22) a day for the internet there. The staff was aware that it was free in the US but all the UK hotels are operated by the same franchisee and they didn't care.
We don't stay there any more.

Not sure if this is an international solution or not.

I use a broadband usb card ( mine is Verizon) and it connects pretty much anywhere in North America with decent bandwidth.

I did a cost analysis and figured that five days in a hotel per month where I had to pay for internet connection paid for the card.

I tend to stay at Marriott's lower level hotels, Courtyard, etc. where internet is free so the savings are not that great when at Marriott, but other chains are not as generous. As time goes along more and more properties provide free connections.

It is really nice to pull to the side of the road and hook up the lap top to download files etc. I often run the local traffic monitor site while connected via broadband on the laptop while I am driving. Broadband card also works on Amtrak from Seattle to Portland.

Gotta love ViaRail in Canada with on board WiFi.

Happy surfing
TD

We got the card free by paying for a month of service. Verizon has better geographic coverage than anyone. I can surf the web from Alvord Hot Spring. We just pay for a month when we travel, then let it expire between trips. One limitation is the total data download is limited to 1 Gb per month. That won't let you watch many videos, but for general surfing and email, it seems to be plenty.

tom

This obviously has no benefit for quite a few people. I didn't get the ATT plan when I bought my iPad because I would be roaming 11 months out of the year.
My big savings is now I will be able to update my Jeppesen program on my ipad when I'm at home where I only have a wired connection.
You can also use it to set up a local network for business meetings etc., as it will let you connect any number of wifi capable devices together whether or not you are using the internet.
As somebody pointed out on another forum Windows 7 will let you do this too, but I didn't have a 4th grader available to read and understand Microsoft's' directions.

I am not sure this fits in this subject but has anyone tried the "Straight Talk" that is marketed at Wal-Mart? They have 2 different plans....1,000 minutes of talk, 1,000 texts, and 30mg of web for $30/month (may be wrong on the numbers). Or....unlimited everything for $45/month. I was looking at it but am NOT gadgetry savy so not sure if it is worht the try or not. I was looking at it so I could check weather etc. when flying. Also be nice to search the web while I'm sitting on the deer stand.
Anyone have any feedback on this plan?
WW