Posted on 06/12/2024 7:17:09 AM PDT by knarf
Does anyone use a cell connection for internet service ?
I have Comcast (the only one available here), and it's expensive, but relatively reliable.
I use a pay as you go TRACPHONE for approx. $20 a month and I wonder how it would work to use my cell connection.
My Tracphone is essentially an emergency tool, very little data but unlimited voice and text.
What is required of a crell phone to use as an internet connector ?
Visible runs on the Verizon network which h coverage virtually everywhere.
It may not be a factor for you, but because I’m hard of hearing, it made a big difference for me. The sound quality of my iPhone is miles ahead of the Tracphones I used to have. Also, getting and maintaining a signal with the Tracphone was much harder.
Verizon also offers Fiber Optics to the home in eight states, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C..
One of the biggest differences is that Verizon Fios is a fixed, wired internet service (a 100% fiber-optic internet network), while Verizon 5G Home is a fixed wireless internet service. Verizon Fios is only offered in eight states (and Washington, DC), while Verizon 5G Home is available to select addresses nationwide.
If you have a landline, you should be able to get DSL.
We used DSL as our Internet connection for years. It’s fast enough to stream movies.
Plus, since it is a landline, your phone and Internet still work when the cell towers go down.
Yes, they just ran a fiber optic line in my neighborhood and I am hoping to get a hook up.
In the years before we got Starlink, we used a cellular router for internet and phone service. A cell router is a router that also has a slot for a cell phone SIM. I built a high gain external antenna for the cell router (Mofinetworks 4500 and later 5500). This served internet to the computers and phones in the house via ethernet and wifi.
Since we could not use the weak cell signal in the house we used wifi calling for phone service.
Now we use Starlink for this.
In my area you have a choice of cable or nothing. The cell phone coverage in the area is spotty to say the least.
I have a Straight Talk plan with unlimited call, text and data that includes a mobile hot spot for around $60 per month.
I also have Comcast and my laptop is connected to the Comcast wifi.
But on a few occasions, when the cable has been down, or I was not at home, I’ve used the mobile hotspot on my phone to connect both my personal and my work laptop and for what I needed, was as fast as the cable wifi. And that included streaming video.
I have had Starlink now for 6 months and it has proven as reliable as land lines (so far).
We went Starlink and it is superb.
How much is the equipment?
We have TMobile 5G Home Internet at the house. We’re getting around 200/20 MBPS Down/Up for $55 a month. We’re rural, so choice is limited. It’s outstanding at half the cost of Starlink.
I think about $500. It has been a while. In our area (Southern NH) monthly service is $90.
I have T Mobile internet which operates on cell tower. I have found it reliable, and inexpensive compared to cable. It provides adequate capacity for my basic tv streaming and computing needs. That said, I doubt there service would be adequate for HD streaming and gaming.
I have Comcast(Xfinity) 1st year $9.95/mo. 50 mps works great.(Greenfield,Indiana)
I have T Mobile for cell service. Using a cell phone for TV programming would be a pain.
“I’m no expert but I’ve seen ads on my TV from T-Mobile telling you to use their system as your home internet connection.I’ve read that such a setup can be unreliable.”
I have T Mobile Home Internet. The download speeds vary pretty significantly but it always works fine for streaming and surfing. I’ve been happy with it for about 3 years. It costs $65 month.
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