Choosing Internet Provider
May 3, 2010 8:23 AM   Subscribe

Getting my home internet hooked up for the first time in a couple of years and seeking advice.

Mostly interested in watching streaming videos as I'm about to have a baby and have no cable. Last time I had ATT DSL (I still have the router-thing). I saw a commercial for a Sprint (my cell phone carrier) offering a 4g modem. Anyone used this to stream video, successfully?

Anyone know the best option for me in Austin, TX?

Basically, I'm staying home so we're tight financially and I'm looking for the cheapest option.
posted by kristymcj to Technology (4 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Response by poster: Also, I don't have a land-line.
posted by kristymcj at 8:28 AM on May 3, 2010


Even 4G will be significantly slower (and more expensive) than your standard, run-of-the-mill DSL or Cable line. Either one of those will give you the best bang for your buck.
posted by nitsuj at 8:29 AM on May 3, 2010


One thing to remember with DSL, when you don't have a land line number, you'll need to have what's called a "dry loop." This is basically DSL without a land line, and might be more expensive than regular DSL.
posted by nitsuj at 8:46 AM on May 3, 2010


Best answer: Sprint's 4G download speed claims are More than 10Mps, which isn't awesome, though WiMAX is supposed to support 128Mps. It'll probably work out to be equivalent to ADSL, which is likely slower than the DSL you previously had.

Unless you're in a place where getting service is a problem, I'd stick with a hard-wired solution. We're at least 3-5 years from practical wireless home broadband.
posted by mkultra at 8:49 AM on May 3, 2010


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