how remote device can connect to internet

[marsrc]

We are developing a wireless device that will need to transmit small amounts of data to an internet server. Although the packet sizes will be small they will be moderately frequent (sent every 10 seconds).

I'm wondering what network connectivity options I have available? Currently I've identified:

1. Wifi - Problem with this is not all locations the device will be in have wifi, so it will add to the cost of our customers.
2. GPRS - GSM data network - Not sure how much this would cost, because it would have to be associated with someones cell account right?

The device itself will not have a cellular component to it, unless it's cost effective and it gives us a cheap way to interact with the web. I'm assuming I can get a standalone GPRS module to make GPRS work.

So, do I have other options available for internet connectivity?

Thanks

[RedSon]

We are developing a wireless device that will need to transmit small amounts of data to an internet server. Although the packet sizes will be small they will be moderately frequent (sent every 10 seconds).

I'm wondering what network connectivity options I have available? Currently I've identified:

1. Wifi - Problem with this is not all locations the device will be in have wifi, so it will add to the cost of our customers.
2. GPRS - GSM data network - Not sure how much this would cost, because it would have to be associated with someones cell account right?

The device itself will not have a cellular component to it, unless it's cost effective and it gives us a cheap way to interact with the web. I'm assuming I can get a standalone GPRS module to make GPRS work.

So, do I have other options available for internet connectivity?

Thanks

Sending a packet every 10 seconds in network time is like a million years in human time. What are the size of your packets? For GPRS communications you can expect at least $0.40 per KiB, you will have to work with the cell carrier of your choice if you want to develop applications that will use their network. If you use a certified GPRS radio all you will need to do is pay for the services that you use. If you don't use a certified GPRS radio then almost all cell carriers will not allow you to use their networks.

If you choose wi-fi you can use freely available networking libraries, your choices of wi-fi radios and hardware will be more varied. You will not have to pay per KiB. But you will not have universal connectivity wherever you go, you will have to have a "hot-spot".

There are other wireless communications that are similar to GPRS, like GSM and the like, but you will have the same issues with them as with a GPRS network. I can't think of any other wireless communications that are wide spread. You can try bluetooth but you will need a computer or node set up as the gateway to the internet. You could use amateur radio bands and communicate using packets but you would not be able to build a commercial solution around that. You can try to license some bandwidth from the FCC and start building your own network and then you can do whatever you want to with it.