It’s a simple question, and one that might have a huge impact on the bottom line of US telecoms giant Verizon. Now it has the Apple iPhone available on the network, and it;s likely to be the geek chic of SXSW week, will there be not only enough signal for voice calls, but enough capacity for the volume of handsets and the necessary bandwidth for the significant amount of data that’s going to be poured into their system from around the Austin Convention Center?

MuniWireless is one of many sites to vocalise this potential problem. If the American “V” gets this wrong, there’s going to be an awful lot of blog=inches lambasting the company, irrespective of how it works in the rest of America.

Me, I’ll be relying a lot on good old fashioned pencil and paper to keep me right, and a dash of serendipity to make new friends. But if you must constantly check-in, are you going to rely on an untested Verizon, the existing fun with AT&T, or another solution?

Looking for an unusual way to get to Austin and stretch your brain into the bargain? Then forget the plane ride ad jump on a bus.

Specifically the Startup Bus, put together by Elias Bizannes. This is going to be the second year that teams depart for the Interactive conference, but rather than sleep through the journey, you’ll be challenged to prototype and launch a new startup. As Bizannes pitches it:

You and a team of strangers on a bus, travelling at 60 miles per hour, have 48 hours to conceive, build and launch a startup.

There’s definitely buses leaving from San Francisco, Cleveland and New York, and depending on interest there could be three more from Chicago, LA and Miami. We’ll watch this and see if the community rises to the challenge.

The countdown to this year’s South by Southwest has been running for some time, but with the clock now under showing under two months to go, it’s time for SXSW Baby! to join in the fun of the ticking clock and help you prepare for your Austin experience of 2011.

This week it’s time to make sure of the basics.

Have you got your SXSW Badge?

A simple question, but you’d be surprised how many people leave it to the last minute. Now there’s nothing wrong with that, but the cost conscious attendee knows that if you get the tickets earlier, then you’re going to get a discount.

You can choose to go for just one of the conferences, the Gold badge (Film and Interactive) or Platinum (the whole smash of Film, Interactive and Music). The big discounts have already gone, but until Feb 11th there’s still a discount compared to the walk-up rate.

Have you sorted out a bed?

One of the best reasons to get your SXSW badge is it gives you access to the SXSW Housing Desk, which pretty much has control of the majority of all the hotel rooms during SXSW Week. If you need a room, the ones still left are going to be here. Centralised booking and payment, it’s all here.

There are a number of Austin hotels, apartments and room lets available outside, but you will need to go a-hunting yourself.

How are getting to Austin?

Tickets and bed sorted, next question is to make sure of your transport, which pretty much means you’re going to be flying in to Austin-Bergstrom International. Pretty much every one of the noted American carriers have flights into the state capital. As with SXSW Badges, the quicker you book, the better price you’re going to get. And with a a lot of people flying in, it’s probably more important to get a seat than a good price.

Have you a nice pair of boots?

Finally, and the biggest question for me. What are you putting on your feet? One of the biggest things people forget about SXSW is just how much walking there is. The Austin Conference Center covers six city blocks alone, throw in the extra venues in the various hotels, and you’ve got a lot of ground to cover. Then the sun sets, the parties start, and you can measure the distance in miles!

Most importantly, are those boots broken in yet? Don’t just buy a new pair the week before unless you want to rip your feet open!

Just in case, I recommend adding the following numbers to your mobile phone’s address book.

The SXSW Headquarters line is (512) 467-7979.

I’d also enter in the phone number to your hotel’s front desk.

Don’t forget to add in entries for airline customer support if you’re flying in:

Alaska Airlines: 1-800-252-7522
American Airlines: 1-800-433-7300
Continental Airlines: 1-800-523-3273
Delta Air Lines: 1-800-221-1212
Frontier Airlines: 1-800-432-1359
JetBlue Airways: 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583)
Southwest Airlines: 1-800-435-9792
United Airlines: 1-800-241-6522
US Airways: 1-800-428-4322

I would also add a few Austin taxi companies into your phone:

Yellow Cab: (512) 452-9999
Austin Cab: (512) 478-2222
Lone Star Cab: (512) 836-4900

In Austin, I’ve had bad luck trying to hail a cab from the street, so calling ahead is always, always recommended.

And in the rare instance that you want to call 411, use Google’s free 411 service, at (800) 466-4411.

Checkout the Ride/Room share board, where two SXSWbaby users, Harris and Vas, are looking for roommates!

A ride to and from the airport for only 75 cents $1? And it’ll drop you right along 6th Street? That’s right. If you’re trying to save money during SXSW, instead of taking a cab, you can take the bus!

The Route 100 Airport Flyer starts at the University of Texas campus, proceeds through Austin’s Central Business District and follows a direct route to Bergstrom. Here are some of the stops it makes downtown:

6th Street and Neches (Downtown Hilton Hotel)
6th Street and Brazos
6th Street and Congress Avenue
6th Street and Lavaca

More information about the Airport Flyer.

UPDATE: We’ve been advised that bus fare is now $1.

Flying into Austin for SXSW Music? Matador Records and the New Pornographers have just announced a free shuttle from the airport for attendees! It’s only Wednesday March 17th and seats are limited.

The “Together Shuttle” will be providing complimentary service to the Austin Convention Center and several downtown hotels, with free cocktails and a sneak listen of the band’s new album.

Wanna ride? Sign up now.