Is there a cellular mobile internet option, not a cellphone? (game, modem) - - City-Data Forum

Giesela · 10-09-2011, 10:11 AM

Ok, so I'm not completely keeping up with technology

I don't really need a cellphone, I have a pay as you go emergency one in the car.

I do have a netbook I like to travel with. I have wi-fi at home and can use it at wi-fi spots on the road but I would like to be able to use it at my elderly mother's who I travel to visit every couple of months. It would be nice to use anywhere on the road too and google maps directions is so much better than my garmin which I no longer trust at all.

Why isn't there a cellular internet computer?.......option?

Is there a way to do this without getting a smart phone?

To bad you can't rent smartphones for trips etc.

Jabronie · 10-09-2011, 10:25 AM

You can get usb thumb modems, and also portable routers that act like a wireless 3 / 4g hotspot.

I had a thumbdrive via Virgin Mobile, bought it for $100, no contract, had unlimited data (which got changed to 5gb soft cap / month, throttled speeds after that) for $30 / month. This was last year, I also know their pricing structure changed.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Virgin+Mobile+-+Broadband2Go+Wireless+USB+Device/9361834.p?id=1218096502997&skuId=9361834 (broken link)

Giesela · 10-10-2011, 07:06 AM

Thanks for the info. So this works pretty well?
If there is no contract can I buy it say, every other month? That's about how often I'd need it. Though if I have to and it seems worth it I suppose I can do it full time for 30.00 a month.

Giesela · 10-10-2011, 09:21 AM

Oh and why is the gizmo at the link not available yet?

Jabronie · 10-11-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giesela

Oh and why is the gizmo at the link not available yet?

Hrm, dunno is working for me. And yes w/no contract you can renew when you want for 30 days at a time. I would recommend just going into Best Buy if possible and talking to a rep about them in person. For browsing and even basic online game play it's great - standard (360p) video is streamable, but watch total bandwidth usage. I was happy when I was using it - stuck on a farm in the middle of nowhere. I forgot about this post, sorry for the late response.