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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: sylvan on June 08, 2017, 11:05:30 AM

Title: WiFi/HotSpot solution
Post by: sylvan on June 08, 2017, 11:05:30 AM
So I have a friend that wants to visit from another country, but wants to stay for a while to make it worth it. I think my aunt will let her stay at her beach house, but I'm pretty sure there's no internet. She doesn't need cable or anything, but it would be rough with no casual entertainment or access to communication.

I know Hotspots are an option when she's out around the beach and at establishments, but what kind of short term options do I have to setup something at the house? How well do mobile hotspot work for streaming? I found some no contract devices. Does anyone have any experience with these devices? I understand tech, but I've never had any experience with these, and I know there's a lot of people around here that know what's up.
Title: Re: WiFi/HotSpot solution
Post by: rumborak on June 08, 2017, 01:30:32 PM
If you have LTE reception at the spot in question, it's actually very good for streaming. The question to ask though is, can you get on a plan that doesn't cost you an arm and a leg when you download GBs?
Title: Re: WiFi/HotSpot solution
Post by: Stadler on June 09, 2017, 07:48:16 AM
For work, I tether to my cell often;   it's not a cost-effective long term solution, but for her - unless she's streaming porn movies constantly - shouldn't be prohibitive.   I would also go to the beach house and see what is in the area.  Not at all suggesting that she use someone else's wifi unauthorized (though - full confession - when I went on a year-long work assignment, that's exactly what I did) but there may be hotspots/public wifi available. 
Title: Re: WiFi/HotSpot solution
Post by: MetalJunkie on June 23, 2017, 12:16:44 AM
Not to toot my own company's horn here, but at our store we've started selling prepaid GoPhone hotspots.

https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/gophone-mobile-hotspot.html

I haven't checked, but I imagine other carriers have similar deals.
Title: Re: WiFi/HotSpot solution
Post by: Prog Snob on June 23, 2017, 05:08:28 AM
I've used Stadler's idea when totally out of options. Otherwise, I just "borrow" the nearest wireless network I can connect to.
Title: Re: WiFi/HotSpot solution
Post by: cramx3 on June 23, 2017, 07:56:43 AM
If you have LTE reception at the spot in question, it's actually very good for streaming. The question to ask though is, can you get on a plan that doesn't cost you an arm and a leg when you download GBs?

This.  My job gives me a hotspot for when I travel.  As long as it has a good signal (mine uses ATT) then it works fine. You can stream wtih it, BUT you are going to have to pay for that data. Given I only get 3GB a month, I'm not going to use it for streaming unless I have some GB at the end of the month to spare. 

Consider how long she will need it and what use she will use it for. If she really has her heart set on streaming, just let her know she will be paying a price for the data.  If she just wants internet connectivity, then she would be set though. 

I've never purchased this on my own so I can't offer or recommend any products though.