Cellphone WiFi hotspot - alternative to Disney $10/day Internet access

[chilipyro]

I just picked up a Palm Pre Plus phone from Verizon. This phone has a built-in WiFi hotspot function (3G) that supports sharing the data connection with four other WiFi devices (up to 30' away). Right now, in addition to the usual sorts of new/renewal contract discounts (buy one for $30, get one free), Verizon has deal going where you the mobile hotspot is free (previously $40/month). The phone itself has no data cap, but the hotspot function is capped at 5GB/month - which would be hard to use up, unless you are streaming movies to your laptop all the time.

So, if you are up for contract renewal (as I was), and aren't committed to some other flavor of smart phone operating system already (I was replacing a flip-open dumb phone), then this is a pretty good time to grab a Palm Pre (or two). I'm new to smart phones, so I suppose I am easily impressed - but I really like this phone. It has some nice sync abilities for social networking, does multi-touch, and multi-tasks. The 3G WiFi feature does work really nicely - I am very much looking forward to using it at the Fort this summer!

 

[Shan-man]

We just got an Overdrive from Sprint, which is an aircard and wi-fi router (and battery pack) all in a package small enough to fit in a shirt pocket (easily). The big benefit of this particular device is that it is a 4G device. That means it is WAY FAST (I've gotten up to 7.25MB down!) if you are in a 4G service area. These are admittedly scarce at the moment, but more are coming on line all the time. Naturally, it will use 3G when 4G is not available (or even 1X when 3G isn't). The range is quite good, and it can run on battery for 3 hours or more, too. Just another option. Oh, one more cool option coming out soon is the new EVO phone (also Sprint) is a 4G phone with hotspot capabilities... and it's a wicked cool phone, too!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Ive been watching for the EVO to hit the market...of coarse I wont be able to afford it untill something better replaces it...but once its obsolete, Im grabbin one!!!

 

[LONE-STAR]

The EVO will be our new work phones when they come out. I got the palm pre last summer. You have to buy a bigger battery for them. Mine was dead every day buy noon now I can run 2 days.

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

Patiently waiting for the EVO to drop. I wish that they has used an AMOLED screen, though.

 

[wdwbound]

This thread is interesting to me as I am looking for a way to have wifi for my laptop while on the road and currently have no cellphone contract. I have a landline and if you live in the Northeast and have to deal with Fairpoint you would understand why I would want to check out another means of connecting to the internet home and away. Worried about dead spots and would like to know which is the best...comments???

 

[RoguePony]

I just picked up a Palm Pre Plus phone from Verizon. This phone has a built-in WiFi hotspot function (3G) that supports sharing the data connection with four other WiFi devices (up to 30' away). Right now, in addition to the usual sorts of new/renewal contract discounts (buy one for $30, get one free), Verizon has deal going where you the mobile hotspot is free (previously $40/month). The phone itself has no data cap, but the hotspot function is capped at 5GB/month - which would be hard to use up, unless you are streaming movies to your laptop all the time.

I was really excited when I saw this new phone hit the market with this feature! Unfortunately, I just upgraded my phone about 6 months ago. I really love the new phone, but that WiFi hotspot feature is a big draw!

If only I could get my company to get it.

 

[chilipyro]

This thread is interesting to me as I am looking for a way to have wifi for my laptop while on the road and currently have no cellphone contract. I have a landline and if you live in the Northeast and have to deal with Fairpoint you would understand why I would want to check out another means of connecting to the internet home and away. Worried about dead spots and would like to know which is the best...comments???

As far as access to a clean signal, I don't think there is any argument that Verizon has the best service outside of major metropolitan areas. As a Verizon customer, I can only speak from experience on Verizon signals. The "word on the street" is that AT&T has some significant connection issues. I use to be a Spring customer. They had very clear sound in the analog days (pin drop), but seemed to loose it on the switch to digital. I have camped in some very remote locations, and have only been in one campground where I could not get a signal on my Verizon flip phone. That campground was in a valley surrounded by tall hills in the Berkshires (MA).

 

[Shan-man]

I don't want to get into a spitting contest over this, but Sprint in fact has the largest wireless broadband coverage area and the fastest data speeds... not to mention the only 4G network offered by any national carrier.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I used my Verizon air card with laptop from Tn all the way to The Fort, never lost internet. It'll cost you $60.00 a month.

I tried AT&T it won't even work from my home.

Never tried Sprint, Shan you are speaking of phone internet,correct, know anything about Sprint air card?

 

[chilipyro]

I don't want to get into a spitting contest over this, but Sprint in fact has the largest wireless broadband coverage area and the fastest data speeds... not to mention the only 4G network offered by any national carrier.

That's good to hear. I was a Sprint customer for several years before giving up on the quality of their service. Once you move to another carrier, it takes either a bit of angst from your new service, or a too good to pass up deal on another carrier to get you to consider others. So far, Verizon has been good to me. But, if that changes, it is nice to know that Sprint is worth a second look. I expect that most AT&T customers are happy with their service as well, or AT&T would not be still here today - you always hear the complaints louder than the praise.

Sprint does carry the Palm Pre, but I don't think they support a mobile hotspot (free or otherwise) on the device. 3G seems more than fast enough for me, but I would only use the phone as a WiFi hotspot for my laptop while traveling (e.g., at the Fort). For Web browsing, I did not notice the pages loading any faster than they do on my 6g cable broadband connection at home. So, faster speed is not something I expect I would wait for (or pay extra for, if and when it was available). Others have different needs, that is just my perspective.

Anyway, my point in starting this thread was not to go down the path of determining which phone or service is best (though I see how it is hard to avoid that creeping in). I just wanted to point out that there are other alternatives to Disney's outrageous broadband connection fee besides the broadband cards that I have seen mentioned here. Phone tethering is not something I have seen mentioned very often, and this phone (with the built in mobile hotspot) and offer from Verizon (no extra fee for the hotspot use and a 5G data limit/month on the hotspot use does seem pretty unique. Verizon is listing this as a 'limited time offer', and I don't see anyone else doing the same yet. For me, it was perfect timing - being a verizon customer, not tied to any current smartphone brand, and being at the end of my previous 2yr contract. If there are others in the same situation, this seems like a pretty good way to get internet access at the fort for free.

 

[BradyBz12]

I used my Verizon air card with laptop from Tn all the way to The Fort, never lost internet. It'll cost you $60.00 a month.

I've used mine all the way from NH to WDW.

And they do now have a cheaper plan available if you can live without "unlimited" access. It's based on bandwidth and how much you download - i.e., videos eat it up quickly, email and plain ol' boring websites will generally go a long ways.

I switched over to it last year to save a little - I think it's $40/mo (can't recall exactly). It's easy to track your usage. In the 3 weeks we were at WDW in November, and including me having to do work online (bleech) I never came close to using up the allotment.

 

[wdwbound]

Very glad to hear all the comments and nice to know that coverage from NH to FL was good since I am in Maine and needed that information. As always, it is great to have feedback and this is the place for it!!

 

[SCIMACER]

I have the new Droid, from Verizon.. Found some software (ten bucks) that will allow me to tether my laptop from the phone and use the phones internet.. No additional charge, the 30 bucks a month for my data plan on my phone is all I need.

I had an air card, what a rip off.

 

[Parrotheader]

I generally wouldn't recommend current Windows Mobile phones to anyone but hardcore business users. But if you happen to have one that has wifi capabilities, this functionality has been available (for free) for quite some time I'm posting this from wifi tethering inside Ft Wilderness right now actually.

http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-mobile-wi-fi-router.html

I'm only averaging about ~500kbps on Sprint within WDW currently. In fact, the EVDO signal get so weak inside some attractions sometimes that it'll quickly drain my battery. But at home I usually get well over 1mbps.

 

[des1954]

As a retired Verizon employee - I wouldn't have Verizon wireless right now. They can't seem to get their pricing in line with other carriers. Last year about this time we switched to Sprint and have the all-inclusive service. We now pay less per month with Sprint for the all-inclusive than we were paying for voice & unlimited text with Verizon - and that was with an employee discount. I have not had any problem with Sprint's service. What I have trouble with is the BB Curve. I just don't like it - but I'm stuck with it for another year. The company my DH works for just gave him a Palm Pre' on Sprint's network - again - all inclusive service. This thing just blows the curve out of the water!! It's a very cool phone, and one I'll give serious consideration to once I'm eligible for a new phone.

 

[dtum]

DH has sprint and it doesn't work in our house here in Ohio. My friend also has sprint and it won't work at her house (a few miles away). I used to have Alltel, but they were bought out by Verizon. My phone works every place we've been; however, have to agree with PP, their plans are expensive. I got to keep my Alltel plan when they were bought out, but if it ever goes away, I'll be looking around.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

If you are savvy with technology (or following directions online), you can wirelessly tether most of the smartphones out there. I streamed slingbox to watch the phillies game on the way back to PHL from Georgia from my rooted (software unlocked) Sprint Android Hero. It worked surprisingly well... and if you are aware of how it is impossible to get local TV reception in a moving car you will appreciate the technology.
Be careful about the Data Roam, sprint charges after 300mb, and you will have a wireless hotspot that has no other fees besides monthly phone charges.
Another trick is to use Google Chrome browser... since Google would like to know everytime a squirrel farts, they proxy the webpages you surf as much as they can. If your cell company wonders what you are using that much data for, it comes back as Google,Google and more Google and not Hulu, Hulu and more hulu.
BOB

 

[BradyBz12]

since Google would like to know everytime a squirrel farts

 

[seabee]

This thread is interesting to me as I am looking for a way to have wifi for my laptop while on the road and currently have no cellphone contract. I have a landline and if you live in the Northeast and have to deal with Fairpoint you would understand why I would want to check out another means of connecting to the internet home and away. Worried about dead spots and would like to know which is the best...comments???

Hi fellow Mainer! I know exactly what you are talking about with FairPoint. We have digital phone now, but are thinking about doing away with the landline all together. We have the Verizon MiFi 2200 and LOVE it. It's a 3G network,and we get the 5GB plan. It's a nice little card that can be used wireless or as USB. We have used it twice on the way to WDW and have not lost reception once. We went through the mtns of VA, as well as taking 95. Our DD's sit in the back with their own laptops and serf the whole way. What is nice is that you can also plug it in to a reg. receptical and not have to worry about the battery dying. We have a converter that we plug into the cigarette lighter and run a powerstrip. Keeps the laptops charged, the MiFi, any cellphones or cameras too! What did we do before modern technology? Haha. Here is the site for it if you are interested...

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=products_mifi