Unlimited calls/text/data&wifi hotspot tether laptop $30/mo
Something I've been looking into: FreedomPop has a phone with unlimited calls/texts/data for $21/mo which includes wifi hotspot tethering for your laptop.
Their phones use the Sprint network, for what that's worth, but I gather that as long as you have at least a 3G signal you'll be rockin'.
You just buy one of their phones, or bring your own from the Sprint network. (Can't use unlocked phones, only ex-Sprint phones, and then only certain models.)
So it's much less expensive per month than other hotspots, but it uses the Sprint network which isn't as great as the others.
Read the fine print and be sure to cancel any extra add-on services, as that's how they make their money.
Tethering to the laptop is permitted, according to admins in their forums. They do have a very helpful forum. I've never called their helpdesk or customer support so can't vouch for that.
They also save money by assuming you're going to connect your phone to your home's wifi periodically. Their phone calls go through VoIP instead of classic cell phone voice channels, so if you're on wifi you're making calls at a much less expensive (to them) rate. So if you are close to free wifi like in a campground, connect your phone to that and use it for calls. Also use that for videos and heavy downloads instead of abusing their network. That helps keep the service cheap for everyone.
I did indeed buy one of their phones and tested it a little. Sometimes the call quality is fine, sometimes it's unusable, but I haven't taken the time to figure out why. It could be because of some program I installed on the phone. They do have a free plan which we are using for testing. If I like it I'll switch to the $21/unlimited plan.
The unlimited plan is actually only $11/month but you don't get tethering on that until you add their $10/month Phone Premier package. Only then are you are permitted to tether. But if you're on a super tight budget and don't mind surfing only through a phone, the $11 plan is pretty good, only really lacking voicemail. Combine that with Google Voice and then you have vmail.
Heckuva deal. Might make a good cheap/free backup for some of you who are happy with your Verizon.
Their phones use the Sprint network, for what that's worth, but I gather that as long as you have at least a 3G signal you'll be rockin'.
You just buy one of their phones, or bring your own from the Sprint network. (Can't use unlocked phones, only ex-Sprint phones, and then only certain models.)
So it's much less expensive per month than other hotspots, but it uses the Sprint network which isn't as great as the others.
Read the fine print and be sure to cancel any extra add-on services, as that's how they make their money.
Tethering to the laptop is permitted, according to admins in their forums. They do have a very helpful forum. I've never called their helpdesk or customer support so can't vouch for that.
They also save money by assuming you're going to connect your phone to your home's wifi periodically. Their phone calls go through VoIP instead of classic cell phone voice channels, so if you're on wifi you're making calls at a much less expensive (to them) rate. So if you are close to free wifi like in a campground, connect your phone to that and use it for calls. Also use that for videos and heavy downloads instead of abusing their network. That helps keep the service cheap for everyone.
I did indeed buy one of their phones and tested it a little. Sometimes the call quality is fine, sometimes it's unusable, but I haven't taken the time to figure out why. It could be because of some program I installed on the phone. They do have a free plan which we are using for testing. If I like it I'll switch to the $21/unlimited plan.
The unlimited plan is actually only $11/month but you don't get tethering on that until you add their $10/month Phone Premier package. Only then are you are permitted to tether. But if you're on a super tight budget and don't mind surfing only through a phone, the $11 plan is pretty good, only really lacking voicemail. Combine that with Google Voice and then you have vmail.
Heckuva deal. Might make a good cheap/free backup for some of you who are happy with your Verizon.
