<p>D2 just moved into an apartment. Wireless internet, nothing wired. Not working well. Management is having someone come out and check it. D is prevet, doing well, takes school very seriously. She is not happy with her internet connection. I am not certain it will get better. Her summer schedule is not bad, Fall will be killer. She can manage for now, but I am looking forward in case I need to.</p>
<p>Does anyone have experience with cost and connectivity with a laptop card? How about with tethering to an iphone 4? D had an iphone and we are with ATT. </p>
<p>Looking for options for internet. Her cable TV and wireless internet are included in the rent. I am thinking that a wireless card will be less expensive than paying separately for cable internet or DSL, with more convenience. </p>
<p>Anyone using one now? Any suggestions?</p>
<p>I think the best bet is to get to the root of the wireless internet problems and insist on it being workable since it is part of what she is paying for! I don’t think the other options will be that great for her.</p>
<p>Some of the smart phones have the ability to be a wifi mobile hot spot, where you can connect up to 5 devices wirelessly. My husband just solved his dilemma by getting a smartphone and for 20.00 per month(no contract) he can connect his Mac and his Dell while he is at work. I am not familiar with iPhones, but does she have that ability with that phone?</p>
<p>We have looked into both options. With the iphone, there is a monthly max on the amount of data you can download for the fixed $15 price or you can go unlimited for $40 which is about the same amount for a wireless card. My suggestion would to go with the basic, monitor to see how close you are to the max, you can always up your plan mid-month. I’d tether; She will always have her phone. And you can use up to 5 devices from your phone. I would however ask that her rent be reduced if the wifi is not working.</p>
<p>And the iPhone tethering works. My brother Facetimed me from his iPad which was tethered to his iPhone while he was on the interstate (he wasn’t driving!)</p>
<p>The iphone is likely our best bet. I am hoping that things will improve, but I hear this is not an uncommon problem at student housing apartment complexes. They promise internet, but the connection is inconsistent at best. With the iphone there is no such thing as unlimited data on tethering plans, and this worries me. The $40 is not unlimited data, and if she is on her computer and tethered A LOT it could get expense.</p>
<p>The iPhone. From verizon has the wifi mobile hot spot, no tethering needed.</p>
<p>We have iphones with ATT (family plan) and contracts not up for 18 mos or more. We will not be going to Verizon. The ATT wifi mobile hotspot does not physically require tethering in that sense, it is wireless or blue tooth. Just called tethering. Same as Verizon. Either way the data plan is NOT UNLIMITED. With ATT it is 4 gb for $45. Then $10 for each gb over 4.</p>
<p>Sunny - you’re right about the no unlimited; I was confusing it with something else. Sorry! The limit it 4GB for $45. S is contantly downloading from his phone, listening to youtube music, etc. he has never gone over 2GB. Because you can turn on/off the tethering, you could always try it for a month to see if 4GB is enough. If not, you could get the wireless card.</p>
<p>Isn’t the tethering pretty slow connection speed?</p>
<p>Reportedly it is good using a USB connection and slower but decent with blue tooth.</p>
<p>I use my Verizon Fascinate as a mobile hotspot all the time. It is actually faster than my DSL wifi at home. I believe I get 5gb for $20 a month.</p>
<p>Apartment manager called D to tell her she put in a work order for the apartment wirelsss service and they would be out to work on it. FINGERS CROSSED.</p>