CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS
CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS This is designed to explain the basic approach to using your cell phone with your computer to connect to the internet. It is not intended to be an in depth coverage of t...
Forum Discussion
I've purchased a MiFi device called Samsung SCH-LC11 4G mobile hotspot from Costco for Verizon Wireless. I like this because at home I use it and use it also on the road and at campsites.
At home in Atlanta I have 4G service which is faster than the AT&T DSL wireless home broadband service I previously had. This MiFi device will allow up to 5 wifi devices connected simultaneously -- which is my smartphone, my iPad, and my desktop in my home office. Still have room for 2 guests as well or other devices.
On the road and in the boonies 4G is not available. It drops to 3G and thus, slower. But still adequate. But if it's a rural community it could get really really slow or cut off temporarily depending on the number of other persons also using Verizon Wireless in the area particularly your campsite. They are not on my account of course, but their own account. I have security WPA or whatever. It was more than frustrating especially if you were transacting business and in middle of it your signal stops. I just hope 4G gets out beyond the biggest cities soon.
It's not perfect, but will do for having the same service at home and away. You can literally carry in your pocket your own little hotspot. The size of the device is about 1/3 the size of pack of cigarettes if not smaller. It runs for a while on an internal battery too. It's very very lightweight. I paid $80 for it through Costco --- at the Verizon store it probably sells for double that. Costco gives me 90 days to swap it out or adjust the price should it go on sale. Plus Costco refunds the $35 activation fee.
The bad news is that I can no longer afford to stream Netflix movies as I was formerly doing with my AT&T fast DSL service (unlimited). The Verizon wireless broadband is limited. I picked the 5GB monthly download for $50 a mo. plus taxes. I could get 10GB for $80, but I think 5GB will do as long as I don't watch a lot of videos, etc. I have to change my usage habits somewhat. I will miss Netflix streaming, but one movie could eat up 1/5th of my monthly allowance through Verizon.
It's expensive I think. Verizon does not offer unlimited broadband. Sprint does, however. But I tend to believe that Sprint service would be frustrating and quite inferior -- all depending on where you are as locations vary in quality. But generally speaking Verizon is king. They are the most expensive too. I've never regretted switching my cellphone service from AT&T to Verizon as I no longer had dropped calls and poor reception in Atlanta. I could now have an iPhone if I wanted through Verizon, but much prefer my Droidx. I love Android.
At home in Atlanta I have 4G service which is faster than the AT&T DSL wireless home broadband service I previously had. This MiFi device will allow up to 5 wifi devices connected simultaneously -- which is my smartphone, my iPad, and my desktop in my home office. Still have room for 2 guests as well or other devices.
On the road and in the boonies 4G is not available. It drops to 3G and thus, slower. But still adequate. But if it's a rural community it could get really really slow or cut off temporarily depending on the number of other persons also using Verizon Wireless in the area particularly your campsite. They are not on my account of course, but their own account. I have security WPA or whatever. It was more than frustrating especially if you were transacting business and in middle of it your signal stops. I just hope 4G gets out beyond the biggest cities soon.
It's not perfect, but will do for having the same service at home and away. You can literally carry in your pocket your own little hotspot. The size of the device is about 1/3 the size of pack of cigarettes if not smaller. It runs for a while on an internal battery too. It's very very lightweight. I paid $80 for it through Costco --- at the Verizon store it probably sells for double that. Costco gives me 90 days to swap it out or adjust the price should it go on sale. Plus Costco refunds the $35 activation fee.
The bad news is that I can no longer afford to stream Netflix movies as I was formerly doing with my AT&T fast DSL service (unlimited). The Verizon wireless broadband is limited. I picked the 5GB monthly download for $50 a mo. plus taxes. I could get 10GB for $80, but I think 5GB will do as long as I don't watch a lot of videos, etc. I have to change my usage habits somewhat. I will miss Netflix streaming, but one movie could eat up 1/5th of my monthly allowance through Verizon.
It's expensive I think. Verizon does not offer unlimited broadband. Sprint does, however. But I tend to believe that Sprint service would be frustrating and quite inferior -- all depending on where you are as locations vary in quality. But generally speaking Verizon is king. They are the most expensive too. I've never regretted switching my cellphone service from AT&T to Verizon as I no longer had dropped calls and poor reception in Atlanta. I could now have an iPhone if I wanted through Verizon, but much prefer my Droidx. I love Android.
