Hot Spot.....

[WIMUSKY]

The wife liked that idea too, GA. We'll figure something out..

 

[thumpar]

With the cheap or free ones you can at least try them out for not to much before you leave.

 

[GA_Boater]

I figured with a 15 buck investment you can see if it will work for the wife. There are others out there too.

 

[southkogs]

I'm on StraightTalk for my cell phone, and I really like it and do well with it. However, you want to know what network you'll wind up on as much as you can. You could be on AT&T or Verizon and have good coverage, but you could also wind up on something where the coverage is a little more spotty. It may still work, but just be aware.

 

[thumpar]

I had an old Sprint plan and was grandfathered in on their unlimited data plan. I finally gave up on them on black friday of last year because there data is slow and coverage is spotty. Some of the cheap plan use Verizon towers I just don't know which ones.

 

[WIMUSKY]

My wife did some research on StraightTalk. It sounds like it's good except for customer service. It sounds like it's really bad. This was from different mags, consumer affairs etc. And if you use too much data, or tether, they'll shut you down. It may be fine for the average user, but maybe not so much when your linked to a co. 8hrs+ per day....

 

[southkogs]

It sounds like it's good except for customer service. It sounds like it's really bad.

It's bad ... but I actually don't think it's that much worse than any of the other cell companies. It does treat you more like a DIY option. But, it is bad.

And if you use too much data, or tether, they'll shut you down.

Tethering depends on the network and the device. Too much data I've tested ... they don't shut you down, they drop you from LTE to 3G.

I was actually thinking THIS service from them though.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Is there a way to figure out how much data one uses in a month?

 

[thumpar]

You can check with your provider to see if they will give you that info but remember that that will be all the data for anything connect through your internet connection. I would put software on the laptop and watch it. That way you know how much the VPN is using and not everything else in the house.

 

[WIMUSKY]

She may or may not be able to load the software being that it's a work computer. There's limits.... Any recommend software?

 

[thumpar]

Windows has one built in but only resets when you reboot on disable and enable the connection. You can check that in the connection properties. I just checked mine and have over 7gb in 2 days.

 

[WIMUSKY]

7GB in 2 days? That's alot....

Say, where do I find the connection properties. I've been searching around and can't seem to find it....... WIN10

 

[thumpar]

In the lower right corner right click on the little network icon and choose open network and sharing. You can click on the connection and it will open up the window.

I use a lot of data. This is only 1 computer out of 4 total. 2 iphones, 1 tablet and 3 rokus. I am surprised they haven't questioned me about it.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Thanks, Mine was a little different. I've used 14.71 in 30 days. Now does that include my LT, the wifes work computer, her Kindle? Basically anything that accesses the net?

 

[thumpar]

No, that is just that one individual device. You can check the laptop to get some idea of how much it is using.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Apparently I can't reset it. I disconnected from the net, bounce the LT, checked the data usage and still showed 14.72. Connected, still the same....

 

[bruceb58]

Forget StraightTalk for what you are trying to do. I have ST and their customer service is fine. Its just not going to do what you want to do.

Talk to the various carries for an unlimited plan on a smart phone and use it as a hot spot.

 

[bruceb58]

BTW. General web browsing is about 1GB per 120 hours. When I work from home and remote desktop to my work computer, the usage is minimal. Only way you use 7GB in 2 days if you are doing streaming.

 

[thumpar]

BTW. General web browsing is about 1GB per 120 hours. When I work from home and remote desktop to my work computer, the usage is minimal. Only way you use 7GB in 2 days if you are doing streaming.

I don't stream on the laptop. There are 3 Rokus in the house for that. It is just heavy web usage.

 

[Volphin]

I use a Verizon Jet Pack hot spot and just added it to my phone plan. I think it is $40 per month. The speed is pretty good. It rivals some free wifi areas. I started with 10Gigs/mo and haven't gone near that limit. The Jet Pack tells you what you have used within your bill cycle when you start it up. That's pretty darn handy!