internet access/tethering

[artesian]

been dreading the thought of paying for internet access at FW for my upcoming stay. Not sure why I thought of this sooner but on my blackberry I can tether it to my laptop for $15 a month and take advantage of my unlimited data plan. Granted it's not super fast but at least I can browse when I need to and not have to pay the daily internet access rates. Look into your providers plans and see if tether is possible with your phone. Another advantage is that this is ala carte and removed when not needed.

 

[taymaesmom]

I used tether all the time on my blackberry, it works great at Disney and is actually very fast. However I only had to pay a one time fee of $25 to access it, not monthly.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I use my Android phone as a mobile hot spot while traveling. Besides the low cost, I know my connection is secure.

 

[dfchelbay]

Will it work with the Iphone?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Will it work with the Iphone?

It works with the ATT iPhone 4 if you pay the monthly tethering fee. -- Suzanne

 

[timmac]

It works with the ATT iPhone 4 if you pay the monthly tethering fee. -- Suzanne

Works just fine with a 3GS as well, as long as you're on iOS 4, subject to paying the fee.

Alternately, if it's not something you need too often, you can Jailbreak your phone and use MyWi for a one-time fee of 9.99.

 

[vitalogy]

Use the iphone

 

[vitalogy]

 

[bonoriffic]

I use tethering all the time on my Droid for free. If your phone is capable of being rooted, you can tether for free. Even better, as your phone becomes a wifi hotspot for others to use also (complete with Panera style browser login screens if you choose) you could even charge money for others to use. I see people do it all the time. On the train each morning there is a guy who has a paypal setup to allow other commuters wifi access. I wonder if anyone has ever signed up.

 

[DawnM]

DH has a blackberry 4G with Sprint. How do you actually do this?

Dawn

 

[timmac]

DH has a blackberry 4G with Sprint. How do you actually do this?

Dawn

You will probably need to the full blackberry tools/connectivity software setup on your laptop. Google with your phone model information to find more specific instructions for your platform (e.g. Windows or Mac)

 

[tlbwriter]

If you have AT&T and use an iPhone, you will have to switch to a tethering plan (and if you don't do this with AT&T, it will be done for you when they detect you tethering). If you're on an unlimited data plan, you will lose it and not get it back. Or so I've been told. Numerous times.

 

[bonoriffic]

DH has a blackberry 4G with Sprint. How do you actually do this?

Are you sure it is a Blackberry 4G with Sprint? Unless it is the new Playbook Tablet, there are no Blackberry phones that support 4G.

The only phones that support 4G on Sprint are Android based. With Android you have two options. Learn how to root your phone and use tethering for free, or pay Sprint's monthly fee to tether.

 

[DawnM]

Thanks. I will have DH do this on his work laptop.

Dawn

QUOTE=timmac;42115247]You will probably need to the full blackberry tools/connectivity software setup on your laptop. Google with your phone model information to find more specific instructions for your platform (e.g. Windows or Mac)[/QUOTE]

 

[timmac]

If you have AT&T and use an iPhone, you will have to switch to a tethering plan (and if you don't do this with AT&T, it will be done for you when they detect you tethering). If you're on an unlimited data plan, you will lose it and not get it back. Or so I've been told. Numerous times.

DGF lives at school during the week and uses her tethered iPhone for net access frequently... she got the letter from AT&T saying that she could switch plans, or would be switched automatically if she continued tethering. She switched plans, at the loss of the unlimited plan.

I use my iPhone infrequently as a wireless hotspot, and have yet to get such a notification, and still have my unlimited.

So, I'd say it definitely depends upon your usage, but my guess would be this: if you're on the unlimited plan still, and your data usage is over the 2GB threshold, that's when they're going to take a look at what you're doing. I have no hard evidence to back this up, but from a business standpoint, it would be logical.

 

[caitty13]

My plan is though sprint and I have a phone that has "mobile hotshot", I used it this past May when there. For me to get great service I had to go to the pool. It may have been our location at POP but cell reception wasn't very good in out room. I only had to pay for the time that I had the mobile hotspot turned on, no additional fees.

 

[kristenrice]

I have the Epic 4G from Sprint. I went to the Android market and downloaded the Tether.com app. They offer a free trial for 7 days. After that, you pay a 1-time fee of $30. It works GREAT!!

It is a little slow, nothing like high-speed internet at home, but if you don't use a lot (more than 2-3) websites at once, it is completely adequate. Streaming movies on Netflix doesn't really work too well, which actually surprised me because I can stream via the Netflix app on my phone quite easily. There is way too much buffering delay when I run Netflix while tethered.

I highly recommend it if you want internet access on the go, but make sure you have an unlimited data plan. It is great for checking e-mail, taking online surveys, checking message boards, etc.