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The Kitchen Table

Internet options?

16 years ago

I've been having a terrible time with my phone company and dsl provider. Every time it storms or rains hard my phone gets so much static that I cannot make any phone calls, the dsl goes off and on. These issues last for days... I'm guessing it has to do with water or moisture.

I've checked the phones in the house and did all the powering on and off of things. A tech came out about 4 months ago and couldn't find the problem. He thought it was my computer (how would that affect the telephones in the house though?). Another tech came out a couple weeks ago. Said the problem was not in the house and he switched some cables outside and things worked fine until the last storm on Sunday. Someone else is coming out today but I am tired dealing with the same issues over and over and would like to switch to a internet option that does not use the phone line.

I currently have Centurylink. The following companies do NOT have service in my neighborhood: Verizon, AT&T, Earthlink (dial-up only), Comcast and TDS. Charter does have cable TV here, but they do not offer internet service. I remember some people here saying they had some sort of internet that went through their cell phones somehow. Flamingo maybe? Can anyone give me more info on that?

We do have DirecTV which might offer a satellite service, but we are wanting to switch to cable television in the near future and don't want a satellite with an expensive bill just for internet.

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Comments (7)

User
16 years ago
Sometimes its the line that is getting wet if its underground. That happen to us many times, DH would have to dig it up and let it dry or tape it. Not really sure how he solved the problem.
dilly_dally
16 years ago
I would not get Internet on a cell phone as my only resource. Not only would it be too hard to type using the onscreen keyboard but reading the teeny screen is difficult too.

Your only option is to call around your area and find out which service will suit your needs best. If you desire satellite Internet access you may be stuck going with a dedicated dish if your cable company does not offer it as you say. Best thing to do is ask your neighbors what they have and how happy they are with the company in your area.
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lydia1959
Original Author
16 years ago
I would not get Internet on a cell phone as my only resource. Not only would it be too hard to type using the onscreen keyboard but reading the teeny screen is difficult too. Oh.. I did not mean it like that. I use a Tracfone that doesn't even have a camera on it! I'm still in the ice age I guess. Some people here were taking about a way to get internet on your home computer with your cell phone somehow. (I do realize I'd have to go with a different cell phone than the Tracfone to do this).

The phone guy just left a little bit ago. He said there was some corroded wiring and moisture in the box outside. He rewired some things and switched to a different connecter and all is good for now. I'll have to wait until the next big rain before I can be sure though.

I'd still like the info on the internet through the cell phone that Flamingo or someone was talking about a few months ago. I want to be prepared if I start having issues again. Thanks!
sheesh
16 years ago
You might be looking for "tethering." You can google it.
lydia1959
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Sherrmann - that sounds like what I was looking for.
nycefarm_gw
16 years ago
I had problems with the phone lines and receiving the internet. At best I had a 28.8 connection, but nothing (for days) when it rained. I already had a Sprint phone and decent service so I tried their MiFi wireless card. It gets good service, though I don't do lots of downloading/uploading because there is a service limit. I pay $60/month extra for it.
For now...
FlamingO in AR
16 years ago
Lyd, I switched from landlines to cell phone service in order to get better, faster internet. At first, I tethered my computer to the cell phone with a special data cable but when that phone died, I got a separate gizmo that hooks up to a USB port, it's with Verizon but I know other services offer this, too. It's broadband speed, ours is called VZAccess, has limited amount of data (5G per month, I've never gone over) and costs $60 a month. I hate that it's that high, but it was only $25 when I started with Alltel, then Verizon bought them out and when I had to get a new phone, I had to get a new contract because of the buyout, which stunk, IMO.

If I were you, I'd be canvasing the neighbors to see what they're using.

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