Internet Without Landline or Cable, Ideas?

[Cow Poke]

Yeah, the Mi-Fi is basically a small hot spot device - as C mentioned, for Data only. It often allows up to 5 clients (laptops, phones, ipads, etc) to log in. They are usually just a small device that plugs into AC by means of a small transformer, and broadcast an SSID just like any wireless router.

Often these include a certain amount of data, with a "pay per meg" after that, or a "throttling down" in download speed after a certain threshhold.

[Cow Poke]

we have one of them at work. Basically it connects to the cellular network, and provides a local wifi hotspot that you can connect to with up to 8 or so devices. I dont know how expensive the data plan is since work pays for it, but I have used it and it seems pretty fast.

Yup, but, again - it depends on how close a tower is. I have a friend who uses one of these when they travel, and sometimes they get ZERO signal. Who would have thought that, when we go "camping out", we'd look for a spot in close proximity to a cell phone tower?

[Sparko]

how can there be a place without cable TV? My grandparents had cableTV in the middle of Appalachia in the 1970's for cryin' out loud. Is Alabama a third world country or something? did you move into the middle of a swamp?

[Carrikature]

how can there be a place without cable TV? My grandparents had cableTV in the middle of Appalachia in the 1970's for cryin' out loud. Is Alabama a third world country or something? did you move into the middle of a swamp?

There are a number of houses in the area I live without cable, including mine. For whatever reason, the company elected not to run lines up and over the hills. I know of a few people that paid to have it brought to their house, but most of us are out of luck. I get my internet over the landline.

[Cow Poke]

There are a number of houses in the area I live without cable, including mine. For whatever reason, the company elected not to run lines up and over the hills. I know of a few people that paid to have it brought to their house, but most of us are out of luck. I get my internet over the landline.

Yeah, the neighborhood (if you can call it that) where I just moved from had no cable TV. There were two few houses on our "street" to justify the expense, apparently, and we were too far out "in the woods".

[Sparko]

There are a number of houses in the area I live without cable, including mine. For whatever reason, the company elected not to run lines up and over the hills. I know of a few people that paid to have it brought to their house, but most of us are out of luck. I get my internet over the landline.

Yeah but is Oregon even really part of civilization, though? I heard they might get paved roads within the next 20 years if things go well.

[Carrikature]

Yeah but is Oregon even really part of civilization, though? I heard they might get paved roads within the next 20 years if things go well.

I have pavement all the way up to my house.


We have an interstate and everything!

[Cow Poke]

I have pavement all the way up to my house.


We have an interstate and everything!

But, how many sunny days a year do you get?

[Sparko]

i have pavement all the way up to my house.


We have an interstate and everything!

!!! Ecree !!

[Carrikature]

But, how many sunny days a year do you get?

Which side of the house?

[Cow Poke]

Which side of the house?

The outside.

[Teallaura]

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/veriz...ard-56287.html

Thanks!

[Teallaura]

So, which do you guys think is the best option? I want internet this weekend. I can buy a new phone or a mifi thing - neither high end - but not both.


Anyone know how I can find out how good the cell service is in my area for a given company? I have tracfone which works fine for phone in the house. I have Virgin Mobile 3G which doesn't work well for either at home - all though it does fine down the street. I'm thinking I need a new carrier either way.

[Cow Poke]

So, which do you guys think is the best option? I want internet this weekend. I can buy a new phone or a mifi thing - neither high end - but not both.


Anyone know how I can find out how good the cell service is in my area for a given company? I have tracfone which works fine for phone in the house. I have Virgin Mobile 3G which doesn't work well for either at home - all though it does fine down the street. I'm thinking I need a new carrier either way.

Do you have a Radio Shack? Often, they'll handle multiple carriers, and won't want you mad at them if you get a weak signal, so they'll probably recommend the best signal for your area - they're local.

[Cow Poke]

By the way, I think Walmart offers a hot spot, too.... not sure of the coverage or pricing in your area.

And if you can talk to neighbors - they may have gone through the "I tried Verizon, but the signal out here is terrible..." routine.