Tech help...IPhone/IPad internet connection - The DIS Discussion Forums

pat fan · 03-02-2013, 08:26 AM

I am not tech savvy, so I need a little help here. My FIL is in a nursing home. The floor he is on does not have Wi-Fi but we got him an IPad so he can go downstairs and use the WiFi there. A nurse on his floor lets him plug into her IPhone and he can access the internet through her [phone from his room.

How the heck does that work???? And if the IPhone can get internet, why can't the IPad? And is there any way to get internet for his IPad without her phone? (we're not buying him a $600 phone to get internet!).
Thanks!

dawnhaze · 03-02-2013, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pat fan

I am not tech savvy, so I need a little help here. My FIL is in a nursing home. The floor he is on does not have Wi-Fi but we got him an IPad so he can go downstairs and use the WiFi there. A nurse on his floor lets him plug into her IPhone and he can access the internet through her [phone from his room.

How the heck does that work???? And if the IPhone can get internet, why can't the IPad? And is there any way to get internet for his IPad without her phone? (we're not buying him a $600 phone to get internet!).
Thanks!

The iPhone, like any smartphone, uses a cellular data connection. It doesn't need wifi in the area to connect to the internet because it uses that instead. Most smartphones have a tethering feature, where you can connect it to other devices to use that connection more broadly.

You can get an iPad with cellular data capability as well, but it costs more for the hardware (about $130 more than the wifi-only models) and involves a monthly charge.

Another option, also involving a monthly charge, is a cellular hotspot - a little box that connects to the same cellular data network as a smartphone, but it broadcasts that connection as wifi so that other devices can take advantage of it.

pat fan · 03-02-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Another option, also involving a monthly charge, is a cellular hotspot - a little box that connects to the same cellular data network as a smartphone, but it broadcasts that connection as wifi so that other devices can take advantage of it.

How do you get this? Through Verizon or something? Where do you find out about it?

Wish we had known about the IPad capability hardware when we were buying the IPad, would have just gotten that!

dawnhaze · 03-02-2013, 09:56 AM

Most major cellular carriers have hotspot hardware available. If you're currently a Verizon customer, I'd start with them. I know T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile have inexpensive ones as well.

DebbieB · 03-02-2013, 10:29 AM

I believe you have to pay monthly for the cellular connection on the I-Pad.

pat fan · 03-02-2013, 10:52 AM

Quote:

If you're currently a Verizon customer, I'd start with them.

Not sure what the phone service is in the nursing home, but I can ask. It would have to be through them, correct? Not what I have at my own home.

Any ideas of what the monthly charges are?

chamonix · 03-02-2013, 11:19 AM

It's cellular so it doesn't have anything to do with the nursing home's landline service. You can get whatever cellular service is cheapest or works best in that location.

Best Aunt · 03-02-2013, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebbieB

I believe you have to pay monthly for the cellular connection on the I-Pad.

If you bought an iPad that allows cellular service: when your iPad is connected to WiFi, you can sign up for cellular service. You give them your credit card number. A certain amount will be charged to your credit card each month. The dollar amount depends on the amount of data you choose. With Verizon Wireless, $50 gets you 5 GB per month. You can choose more or less. If you don't want your credit card to continue to be charged every month, you have to go back on and cancel.

You can add cellular service and subtract it when you want. For example, I might be fine at home using just WiFi. The day before I go on vacation, I might add the cellular service. When I get home, I might cancel the cellular service. Then I might add it before I go on vacation again. Obviously that's not what OP has in mind for Grandpa, but I thought I would mention it.

If cellular reception isn't great where you are, you want to ask around before you buy. You have to make the Verizon versus AT&T decision before you buy.

When you buy the iPad, you have to choose the model for the cellular carrier you want to use. If you look at a website which sells them, you will see:
- iPad Wifi 16 GB black
- iPad Wifi + Cellular (Verizon) 16 GB black
- iPad Wifi + Cellular (AT&T) 16 GB black
Then more options for other colors and more GB.
And more options depending on whether you want regular size or mini.

Fire14 · 03-02-2013, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pat fan

How do you get this? Through Verizon or something? Where do you find out about it?

Wish we had known about the IPad capability hardware when we were buying the IPad, would have just gotten that!

You can get them thru any cell phone company. Mine is thru verzion wireless and called a jetport, I had a mifi in past. There is also a version that you can pay as you go that I've seen at walmart.

clarkshel · 03-02-2013, 03:20 PM

If you go with the hotspot option. I would make sure he knows not to stream too much video on it. He'll use up his allotted bandwidth fairly quickly if he does this.

RitaE · 03-02-2013, 04:22 PM

Read this article to get an idea of some of the options

http://lifehacker.com/5974761/how-to...rywhere-you-go

pat fan · 03-03-2013, 11:44 AM

Quote:

He'll use up his allotted bandwidth fairly quickly if he does this. - See more at: http://www.disboards.com/showthread....9#post47675079

Do they shut you off if you reach your limit or just let the charges pile up and not tell you (I am guessing it's the latter!)?

usd2bmd · 03-03-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pat fan

Do they shut you off if you reach your limit or just let the charges pile up and not tell you (I am guessing it's the latter!)?

Most data plans will send a text to the primary line on the account when you are reaching the limit for data. My plan is a text at 65%, then again at 90%, then again when we reach the limit. Then you pay a charge when you go over.

I have never gone over and I also pay for the ability to use my cell as a wifi hot spot, which is what your FIL is doing.

Albort · 03-04-2013, 01:17 AM

There is a possibility to bridge the downstairs internet to upstairs... you need to find a place that gets good wifi reception and install another router there to bounce the signal...

but a mifi may be a good idea too...

03-02-2013, 08:26 AM	#1
pat fan I'm leaving now so I don't have to witness what comes next Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: ma. Posts: 3,785	Tech help...IPhone/IPad internet connection I am not tech savvy, so I need a little help here. My FIL is in a nursing home. The floor he is on does not have Wi-Fi but we got him an IPad so he can go downstairs and use the WiFi there. A nurse on his floor lets him plug into her IPhone and he can access the internet through her [phone from his room. How the heck does that work???? And if the IPhone can get internet, why can't the IPad? And is there any way to get internet for his IPad without her phone? (we're not buying him a $600 phone to get internet!). Thanks! __________________ "Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be." -- John Wayne

03-02-2013, 10:29 AM	#5
DebbieB DVC Member BWV 99 You have to compare apples to apples Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: PA Posts: 42,163	I believe you have to pay monthly for the cellular connection on the I-Pad. __________________

03-02-2013, 11:19 AM	#7
chamonix Are we there yet? Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Happy Valley Posts: 2,655	It's cellular so it doesn't have anything to do with the nursing home's landline service. You can get whatever cellular service is cheapest or works best in that location. __________________ ~~Aloha from the Polynesian~~ March 2013 Star Wars Weekends 2011 Beach Club December 2010 (how did that happen, lol?!) Star Wars Weekends 2010 ~Tiki fest summer 2009~ Ho’omahana summer 2008 ~Tiki fest summer 2007~ March 2007, March 2006 October 2005, October 2004, March 2004 December 2003, December 2002 Disneyland Hotel 2001

03-04-2013, 01:17 AM	#14
Albort ODV Crew The challenge is - who can find me? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 6,489	There is a possibility to bridge the downstairs internet to upstairs... you need to find a place that gets good wifi reception and install another router there to bounce the signal... but a mifi may be a good idea too... __________________ ~ Your Ex Cute, Little, Fuzzy, Silly, and Chubby Cast Member ~

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03-02-2013, 09:56 AM	#4
dawnhaze Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Delaware Posts: 469	Most major cellular carriers have hotspot hardware available. If you're currently a Verizon customer, I'd start with them. I know T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile have inexpensive ones as well.

03-02-2013, 03:20 PM	#10
clarkshel Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 434	If you go with the hotspot option. I would make sure he knows not to stream too much video on it. He'll use up his allotted bandwidth fairly quickly if he does this.

03-02-2013, 04:22 PM	#11
RitaE DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4,355	Read this article to get an idea of some of the options http://lifehacker.com/5974761/how-to...rywhere-you-go