Latestarter's ramblings/musings/gripes and grumbles.

[babsbag]

You might be able to use your comcast email account, ask them. I have been using my earthlink one for 8 years with no earthlink internet service anymore. I pay 6.00 a month for the address but so worth it after 20+ years with the same address. You have to know how to set it up on your computer but I am sure they will walk you through that. Internet service was something that was a deciding factor as to where we lived. Try AT&T and their hotspot. I understand that they don't have data limits anymore put it might be $$$. I have a local wireless network company here and I've been very happy with them but obviously that won't work for you since I'm in CA. Good luck with the search.

BTW, alerts for your thread don't show up for me either.

 

[Latestarter]

I posted to support and nifty on the feedback channel. I posted pics showing exactly what the issue is. Hopefully they can figure it out. Didn't realize it was affecting so many folks. It's turning out a lot are experiencing this issue.

 

[greybeard]

I'll talk to my friend in Yantis an find out who he uses for internet, tho I suspect it is a jetpack (hotspot) that utilizes Verizon or ATT data off a cell tower. (I do the same here using verizon 4G LTE, because of no FO phone lines)
I have a relatively weak signal, CAN watch Youtube vids and news, but have difficulty streaming a full movie on either of our laptops.

Go here, and enter a zipcode:
https://vzwmap.verizonwireless.com/dotcom/coveragelocator/

Not all copper phone lines can carry DSL due to installation of load coils along the route of the line..

 

[Latestarter]

Not sure exactly how that works. I'm with Sprint and a 2 year plan. Would I contact Verizon/ATT and tell them I just want to be able to access the internet through them via a cell hot spot? I just checked Sprint's coverage and it shows where I'll be located as roaming access. I never checked my phone while I was there looking at the property Verizon is showing 4GLTE there. Already talked at length with AT&T, they said they couldn't help. I'll give verizon a call tomorrow.

 

[greybeard]

Yep--I'm using one of those same devices to post this reply from my laptop.

It takes the place of a modem for laptop or desktop, but if you currently use a smartphone to get on line, the plan will just give you an access code and passkey #.
I won't say it is the best option for you because I don't know what is available there, but it works great for general internet use here in the middle of a National Forest. DO ask around a lot before you make a decision.

 

[babsbag]

You might be able to get out of the Sprint contract if you move. You certainly don't want to pay roaming charges for your cell.

If you can get ATT cell or Verizon cell service you should be able to use their data coverage as well. They basically give you a phone number and a little hotspot device that uses cell service for internet and you connect your computer to it wirelessly. You might need that laptop or a wireless network card in your computer if you don't already have one. I never could get my wireless router to connect to the hotspot but I think that they make some that do. Without the router I couldn't use my printer wirelessly either which was a real problem for me. But my biggest issue was using 15+ gigs of data a month and that was with NO youtube or streaming of anything, plus only me here during the week. I was very happy to find another option.

 

[babsbag]

@greybeard, do you have a data cap?

 

[greybeard]

Babsbag: Yes--18 GB--above that is just an overage--doesn't cost much for the overage. I am retired, am a news junky, and on the internet a LOT, wife is in nursing school and is on her laptop every night for hours with school related work--we very very rarely go over 18gb. As is the norm nowadays, voice and text for our phones is unlimited. (We do not have 'smart phones'--don't have a need or desire to be 'connected" 24/7)
I could get more data--just don't have a need for it. If you are using 15gb/month with no streaming and not watching any Youtube, I suspect someone else is somehow 'borrowing' some of your bandwidth. 15 GB is a lot of data. Music and radio streaming tho (if you do that) can eat up 10gb. I personally avoid downloading anything not absolutely necessary when possible, and try to keep uploads to a minimum. (data limits work in both directions--up and down)

Latestarter: Here's the reply from my friend in Yantis regarding his service provider:
We use peoples telephone based in Quitman Texas. They do have some service in Hopkins County notable around Rielly Springs and that area. Our service is pretty good. I think excede is here also.

 

[AClark]

Babs is right, I have gotten out of cell phone contracts before due to not having service where I moved, though if I remember correctly, they required proof that the move was for work and I had to send them a copy of orders to get out of it. Fort Drum has really poor service with Sprint and Tmobile.
I went contract-less after that. Cricket is cheap and now on AT&T's towers so it has very decent service. I'm using Metro PCS (it's on Tmobile) and it's really spotty here. I'm pretty sure I'm going back to Cricket after this month because of how spotty it is, and we hit roaming a lot being this close to Mexico. The best part about those is that they don't charge you data overages, but they do dial the speed down after you've used up your 5GB.

Grey is also right, that's the exact reason my parents can't get DSL. Not to mention every time a coyote pees on the pole the phone goes out at their house (that's a joke, but it really isn't, their phone line is constantly out). Their phone lines are older than I am. They are using PowerC.net which is run through their local Electric Coop, but it's via satelite. They can't use cell service wifi because cell service at their house is really bad. I either have to stand upstairs or go up to the barn (and stand outside) to get enough of a signal to make a call or send a text. It's nice like that, nobody can bother me out there.
I don't know what their usage limit is, but my parents don't youtube or anything like that, they barely "do that google thing".
I used to use Directv for TV but I can't justify spending that much every month to watch TV, not when I have high speed and I barely watch TV as it is. I don't know how their satelite internet is though, but if it's like their TV contracts, definitely beware.

 

[greybeard]

Almost everyone is on AT&T's towers--even as big as Verizon is here they use AT&T's infrastructure and lease space on their tower.

I think I have stated elsewhere, that one option for a poor signal is a signal booster. Especially true if you have a metal roof. Some internet providers will offer a booster free or at a discount if cell signal in your area is weak--otherwise, you can get one from companies like Wilson. Not cheap, but they work.