How to set up high-speed internet access for 1-2 months?
March 29, 2011 11:39 AM Subscribe
Is there a legal way to set up short-term (1-2 months) internet access without breaking the bank?
My mom will be undergoing a major surgery this week, and I'm going to be living at her apartment in Mountlake Terrace, WA between 3-8 weeks to help her recover. She doesn't have a computer and has no need of internet access on her own, so she has never set anything up.
However, I will need to telecommute for work, so I will need a stable and dependable connection. Since my mom will need me to be on-call for help, it isn't really an option to head to a coffee shop for several hours every day. I know from previous visits that there aren't any open WiFi networks to be accessed from her apartment.
What's the best way to set up short term, non-dial-up internet access? I've considered tethering my iPhone, but that could get expensive with the data limit (I'll be uploading/downloading large files through dropbox; it would also be nice to set up some netflix instant for my mom while she's laid up in bed). I'm happy to pay, but I can't afford a year's worth of internet bills just to get access for one month...are there other options? I'd prefer to cap the expense at around $50/$100 for 1 or 2 months, respectively, and anything cheaper than that would be even better.
Thank you so much in advance.
My mom will be undergoing a major surgery this week, and I'm going to be living at her apartment in Mountlake Terrace, WA between 3-8 weeks to help her recover. She doesn't have a computer and has no need of internet access on her own, so she has never set anything up.
However, I will need to telecommute for work, so I will need a stable and dependable connection. Since my mom will need me to be on-call for help, it isn't really an option to head to a coffee shop for several hours every day. I know from previous visits that there aren't any open WiFi networks to be accessed from her apartment.
What's the best way to set up short term, non-dial-up internet access? I've considered tethering my iPhone, but that could get expensive with the data limit (I'll be uploading/downloading large files through dropbox; it would also be nice to set up some netflix instant for my mom while she's laid up in bed). I'm happy to pay, but I can't afford a year's worth of internet bills just to get access for one month...are there other options? I'd prefer to cap the expense at around $50/$100 for 1 or 2 months, respectively, and anything cheaper than that would be even better.
Thank you so much in advance.
Best answer: I don't know where you are, but where I am, Comcast (unfortunately) has the best price/quality rate that I've come across. As much as I'd like to avoid legitimizing their monopoly, they've got the most affordable thing going right now.
As far as I know, Comcast isn't done by contract. You can cancel whenever, but it's kind of a hassle (they'll transfer you to "retention" first, which is annoying--it takes longer to quit than to sign up). Just be firm with them when it comes time to cancel.
If you go to their website and type in your address, you'll get to see whatever introductory rate they're offering, which should be 20 or 25 bucks a month. Don't tell them that you're planning to cancel service after a short time, or they might not give you a discount. Install could be between $25 and $50. Modem rental is something like 3 bucks/month. It should put you somewhere around $70-$100 for two months of internet.
posted by phunniemee at 11:50 AM on March 29, 2011
As far as I know, Comcast isn't done by contract. You can cancel whenever, but it's kind of a hassle (they'll transfer you to "retention" first, which is annoying--it takes longer to quit than to sign up). Just be firm with them when it comes time to cancel.
If you go to their website and type in your address, you'll get to see whatever introductory rate they're offering, which should be 20 or 25 bucks a month. Don't tell them that you're planning to cancel service after a short time, or they might not give you a discount. Install could be between $25 and $50. Modem rental is something like 3 bucks/month. It should put you somewhere around $70-$100 for two months of internet.
posted by phunniemee at 11:50 AM on March 29, 2011
Apparently I do know where you are, Mountlake Terrace. My bad. Comcast advice still stands, though.
posted by phunniemee at 11:51 AM on March 29, 2011
posted by phunniemee at 11:51 AM on March 29, 2011
I know from previous visits that there aren't any open WiFi networks to be accessed from her apartment.
What about contacting her neighbours and offering to chip in to their internet bill in return for access? You give them money, they give you the password?
posted by Brockles at 11:51 AM on March 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
What about contacting her neighbours and offering to chip in to their internet bill in return for access? You give them money, they give you the password?
posted by Brockles at 11:51 AM on March 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: How is the 3G network quality there?
You could get a MiFi like they talk about in this This Old Nerd episode. It has very reasonable month-to-month unlimited data plans.
The MiFi itself is about $150 but then for $50 for unlimited data (with no contract) it sounds very reasonable!
posted by jillithd at 11:54 AM on March 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
You could get a MiFi like they talk about in this This Old Nerd episode. It has very reasonable month-to-month unlimited data plans.
The MiFi itself is about $150 but then for $50 for unlimited data (with no contract) it sounds very reasonable!
posted by jillithd at 11:54 AM on March 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I don't know if you can sign up for short term. But it looks like Clear provides a 4G wireless connection in that area.
Looks like it would be around $45 a month, I didn't click through the plans to see the details.
posted by bitdamaged at 12:02 PM on March 29, 2011
Looks like it would be around $45 a month, I didn't click through the plans to see the details.
posted by bitdamaged at 12:02 PM on March 29, 2011
Virgin MiFi!
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband/mifi-2200.html
posted by k8t at 12:13 PM on March 29, 2011
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband/mifi-2200.html
posted by k8t at 12:13 PM on March 29, 2011
I second the idea of pay and go wifi from Clear or Virgin is the way to go.
posted by humanfont at 12:46 PM on March 29, 2011
posted by humanfont at 12:46 PM on March 29, 2011
Also. It's a business expense. Remember to deduct it when you pay your taxes (or better yet, convince your company to pick up the tab!)
posted by schmod at 1:04 PM on March 29, 2011
posted by schmod at 1:04 PM on March 29, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks so much for the recommendations! It looks like the price of Comcast monthly fee + installation + modem and router is roughly equal to the price of the Virgin MiFi device + a month or two of access...so I have two clear routes to explore.
I guess the advantage of going with MiFi is that I'll have the device to use anywhere. Maybe I'll end up doing that. In any case, I'm definitely going to be able to do my work, so my problem is solved! Thanks so much, askme.
posted by scarylarry at 1:49 PM on March 29, 2011
I guess the advantage of going with MiFi is that I'll have the device to use anywhere. Maybe I'll end up doing that. In any case, I'm definitely going to be able to do my work, so my problem is solved! Thanks so much, askme.
posted by scarylarry at 1:49 PM on March 29, 2011
Oh, to bypass the 'retention' guys, just tell them you are moving overseas. Not much they can do there.
posted by defcom1 at 2:42 PM on March 29, 2011
posted by defcom1 at 2:42 PM on March 29, 2011
$50 for unlimited data (with no contract)
Capped after 2.5GB to 256kbps. I'm using Verizon's $60 for 5GB/mo.
posted by orthogonality at 3:04 PM on March 29, 2011
Capped after 2.5GB to 256kbps. I'm using Verizon's $60 for 5GB/mo.
posted by orthogonality at 3:04 PM on March 29, 2011
I'm using Verizon's $60 for 5GB/mo.
They've dropped the price, it's now $50 for 5GB/mo (though the taxes and "fees" bring it up to about $60, if that's what you meant.) I went to the website and changed to the new price without extending the contract.
4G data is also $50/month, but right now all they have is USB devices, no Mifi.
posted by massysett at 4:13 PM on March 29, 2011
They've dropped the price, it's now $50 for 5GB/mo (though the taxes and "fees" bring it up to about $60, if that's what you meant.) I went to the website and changed to the new price without extending the contract.
4G data is also $50/month, but right now all they have is USB devices, no Mifi.
posted by massysett at 4:13 PM on March 29, 2011
Also. It's a business expense. Remember to deduct it when you pay your taxes (or better yet, convince your company to pick up the tab!)
Only deductible to the extent they exceed 2% of adjusted gross income, so it might be deductible if the AGI here is $10,000...
posted by massysett at 4:18 PM on March 29, 2011
Only deductible to the extent they exceed 2% of adjusted gross income, so it might be deductible if the AGI here is $10,000...
posted by massysett at 4:18 PM on March 29, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ChrisHartley at 11:50 AM on March 29, 2011