A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Ask Mr. Gremelin MiFi: an internet alternative

I hope this is a good place to put this post so folks see it.

Not infrequently, I see people here having difficulties with their internet service providers. And I know that some are on dial-up, and some folks out in the boonies may have satellite internet (horror of horrors). So I'd like to recommend a pretty low-cost alternative that has been working well for us for about a month: MiFi. [I know we're not supposed to promote companies here but I consider this a "public service"!]




MiFi is a little devise from Verison. Other companies may have something similar. It works where ever you can get Verizon wireless (cell) service. Here is the coverage map: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...T&lid=//global//plans//coverage+maps

Cost: The devise itself costs $150, we got a $50. Monthly service is $59.99 (+ tax) for 5gb of downloading. (This is a lot unless you watch a lot of movies or tv shows on line.)

What it is: The MiFi devise works in two modes. You can connect it (using a usb cable) to a computer and it functions like a modem. Or you can just turn it on without connecting it, and it functions like a wireless modem-- like WiFi. It will support up to five wireless devises (computers, printers, etc.).

So basically it is your own personal wireless hotspot. You can take it anywhere & have internet. This is the part I especially like about it. But the other thing is that out here in the country-- at home-- we have internet without messing with cable or DSL or satellite. For us at home, it's about as fast as DSL. But I've noticed it's faster in some other locations (where we've traveled). It's also secure.

And-- it can be plugged into an outlet or run off its battery. I get 2-3 hours on battery.

(And yes, I did just happen to have a pair of pruners on my desk!)

Thanks for the info. I look up stuff all of the time looking for info and for prices. I can often get info but getting prices is a bear. And price is a big concern if I am even interested in the first place.

Well, it's a good service if you use the internet very sparsely... Myself I go through 5gb of transfer in a day lol...

Now, if you're on the internet all the time, or even do some occasional downloading, you're going to hit that limit pretty hard fairly fast...

And Satelite isn't that bad... And if you think about what's actually happening in the connection it's totally understandable...

I beg to differ. It's 5gb of download, not transfer.

5gb per month of transfer is really quite low... I use upwards of 20gb per month... Once you have broadband you tend to use it when possible...

Now, if you're used to little downloads and non-constant computer usage, sure, 5gb/month may work for you

Just for note,I use a lot of transfer each month; I use:
~8GB Transfer per day
~56GB Transfer per week
~200GB Transfer per month

So I don't think that it'd be worth it to me ;)

But you also do computers for a living kind of, James. I'm thinking for home use when I don't do a bunch of downloads, mifi might work. Or if I travel.
But right now I'm happy with my dsl. and it is cheaper by more than half.

It may work for occasional usage, but I wouldn't trust the basic plan for normal everyday computer usage unless you know you're not going to use it... I'd imagine their overages may bite you in the tuccus.