Cell Phone
Surfing at the Beach - Beach Cell Phone
Etiquette
The photo of a pretty
girl above in her swimsuit, talking on a
cell phone at the beach is a common scene at
the California beaches. When things get a
little boring, you call someone up. Or maybe
you're trying to them how to find you at the
beach. Or maybe you are "out in the
field" during the work day. The
possibilities for beach diversions need not
take you away from your busy world and tasks
with cell or computer in hand. Many of
the California State Parks, in fact, have
gone wireless for internet communications.
And some hot spots at the beach may offer
extra advantage for getting work done or
researching your next hotel.
Would you like to access
Web-based applications working from the
beach, with a laptop and a beer? Most phones
have built-in data modems. So, to dial up
the Internet, all you need is a cable that
connects your cell phone to your laptop,
your ISP information (this varies from
mobile to mobile so contact your provider
for details), and a data plan from your
carrier. Currently, data speeds with a CDMA
carrier such as Verizon or Sprint on 1xRTT
networks offer around 56Kbps and more.
Within the next year, those speeds should
double on Verizon's next-generation 1xEvDO
(Evolution Data Optimized) network, which
promises rates of up to 300Kbps, closer to
DSL times. It's coming, but for now, use
your phone to talk at the beach.
There are 180 million cellphone users in the
United States, according to Cellular
Telecommunications and Internet Association,
and many of them take their phones to the
beach.
July is
phone etiquette month and at the beach the
rules are slightly more relaxed. But for
those who give a whistle and actually
believe that cell use is "not about me,"
someone cooked up a phone etiquette
guidebook. Here are a few of the
recommendations for being nice to others: 1)
Let your voicemail take your calls when
you’re in busy areas (excluding beaches). 2)
Speak in your regular conversational tone
and don’t display anger during a public
call. You may scare children at the beach.
3) Use discretion when discussing private
matters or certain business topics in front
of others. You never know who is within
hearing range, especially a boss or
neighbor. It's a small world. 4) When
walking and talking on your wireless phone,
be aware of your surroundings and remember
to respect the rights of others.
