Mrs. TJ and I use a Chromebook and also a Virgin Mobile hot spot. The internet has been very spotty as of late. I called Google support last night and it turns out that Chromebooks don't like hot spots and the connection is going to suck. So the options are get another notebook or go with another internet source. Verizon has a good deal but it has a contract for two years involved. Are there any companies out there that have decent home internet available that doesn't involve a commitment to a contract?
Dunno about your question, but you could get a WRT54G router, flash it to DD-WRT, set it up as a bridge to the VM hotspot and then connect to the router with a cord or via WiFi and then you don't have to directly connect to a hotspot.
VZ's pricing for hotspot service or "data only" is here: http://www.verizonwireless.com/landingpages/data-only-plan/
If you provide your own equipment, I think you are not held to a contract. Therefore, go to ebay and buy a used VZ branded 4G hotspot. When you are shopping on ebay, get the device ID from the seller before buying. Go to this VZ page: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/nso/enterDeviceId.do and enter in that ID. This will tell you if the device is "clean" and therefore allowed by VZ.
Reasons a device would be "unclean" is if it has been reported lost or stolen or is tied to an account that went to collections.
From VM's Terms and Conditions (T's & C's)
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/legal/important-service-product-information-system-update.html
Usage Limitations: To improve data experience for the majority of users, throughput may be limited, varied or reduced on the network. Streaming video data will be limited to 600Kbps at all times, which may affect quality and performance. With certain plans, throughput data speeds will be slowed when data usage exceeds the selected plan's applicable data threshold(s). During this time, data access will continue but maximum speeds (including video) will be limited to 2G speeds of 128Kbps or below for the remainder of plan cycle, resulting in slower page loads, downloads, and degraded streaming media. Data speeds will be restored at the beginning of a new plan cycle, or after a plan cycle restart.
To recap: 4G service up to a point then just 2G service but the fastest video will ever run is 600kbs and then video will be 2G also when you hit the limit.
Yeah, this little detail is buried deep.
It may not be your ChromeBook that sucks. I suspect it is VM that sucks. I know, I used to work there for 7 year (4 years ago.)
I've been using AT&T for years without a contract. I believe they will still go contractless.
Comcast is month to month
Dr. Hess wrote:
Dunno about your question, but you could get a WRT54G router, flash it to DD-WRT, set it up as a bridge to the VM hotspot and then connect to the router with a cord or via WiFi and then you don't have to directly connect to a hotspot.
Does that bolt up near the turbo encabulator?
Charter is month to month
N Sperlo wrote:
I've been using AT&T for years without a contract. I believe they will still go contractless.
Nope, 12 month commitment.
Dr. Hess wrote:
Dunno about your question, but you could get a WRT54G router, flash it to DD-WRT, set it up as a bridge to the VM hotspot and then connect to the router with a cord or via WiFi and then you don't have to directly connect to a hotspot.
Seriously. This. $20 for an old wireless router, free firmware upgrade. A little work configuring the router to interface with the HotSpot and to interface the Chromebook with the Router. Done.
And you can take it with you.
If you need help, send an SOS here and we'll lend a hand.
Yeah, I've got about 15 routers running on my home network. I call it "The Gordian Network," after the knot.
When you're referring to home internet, are we talking wired or wireless? That tends to make a difference...
Our where we are, Charter is month-to-month, as is the local small ISP that uses both Frontier's and Charter's infrastructure. I'm with the latter, they're more expensive but it's a business class service that at least theoretically should get fixed faster than the regular consumer stuff.
Duke
MegaDork
8/14/15 2:01 p.m.
Verizon recently sent a thing around that says they are going contractless soon, too. I'm never moving again so contracts don't really bother me.
Duke
MegaDork
8/14/15 2:22 p.m.
On another note, anybody have experience with www.freedompop.com ?
I checked into Charter and it isn't available in my area. Comcast has no contract but you must stay with it for a term duration. AT and T isn't available in my area either. Is there a layman's translation for what Hess said to do with the router?
Hess:
Cellular phone Hotspot to a home router then he can plug directly into that router or his laptop can receive a wireless signal from the router.
This way, your Chromebook would not be fed the Internet directly from the Hotspot.
Hotspot -> router -> Chromebook.
This router will also send the Internet signal around the house further. So, it you only get one bar of cell service in the middle of your living room, you can put the Hotspot in an upstairs window which may get much better bars and then let the router push that Internet signal to the living room.
