very basic Internet service in Lower Burrell (near New Kensington) (Economy: credit card, house)

[Sandster24]

I am just looking for really basic, economical Internet service - just for reading e-mails and looking for jobs (no gaming, no watching TV online, etc.) - in Lower Burrell (which is near New Kensington).

I do not want cable TV (I don't even own a TV, so obviously I wouldn't use that). I would also prefer to stick with my current cell phone service (which is Sprint). I do not have a land line. I have looked around without much luck, as everyone wants to sell me a package - and I just want to get online! The apt. complex I live in does not have FIOS.

I've been laid off and really just need Internet for a job search and that's it. Thank you to anyone who can advise me!!!

[badguykc]

Call Sprint and ask them to add on a "mobile hotspot" for your cell phone (if you own a smartphone). It's about $30 or so a month and it runs off the same towers your mobile web would on your phone. If you own a laptop, it probably already comes with a wireless adapter. If not, they're about $30 or so at K-Mart/Walmart.

Without a landline, that's about as "basic" as it gets without going to the library and using their Internet.

[Sandster24]

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, I don't have a smartphone either. I may have to go back to Comcast, which has the worst, most conveniently "inept" customer service I have ever encountered in my life. Ugh. I was (and still am) really hoping to avoid Comcast!

[greg42]

Comcast does have an "economy" internet plan that used to be around $25-ish, but as far as I know they still price it $15 higher if you do not buy any TV from them. Yet, that is what I have at my house (though I have the faster normal plan). Economy TV usually costs around $12, so it's better to have that than have none. I don't even use their TV signal. Amazingly, though I hear plenty of negatives about Comcast, I don't have issues. Possibly it's because I don't usually have to call them for anything. I've gone years without calling them.

Verizon should have a low-price DSL you can get, not sure if they force you into phone service or not. Should be sub-$30 I think.

There are other companies that can provide DSL or similar services, but most cater mainly to business-level service where they can make more money. Plus, ultimately, most rely on basic line from Verizon anyway to make the physical connection. This can make for quite an annoying situation if something goes down, where your actual provider might blame Verizon first even if it's their fault. I have experienced this firsthand with our office connection. It may not be as critical with your home connection, but it would still be annoying.

[Augie6]

Thinking outside the box. If you are just using the internet for job searchingm try to looking into local libraries community colleges etc . I know new ken has a branch of WCCC that offered (not sure if they still do) services for people unemployed looking for work. Including computer access and much more hands on stuff.

Comcast really does offer the best product around.. You can try to find Verizon Dry Loop (its a dsl connection without having to suscribe to a phoen service)

I not saying this is you, Sandster, but most people get upset with customer service for issues they can't fix. I worked for Verizon and people would not be able to use thier internet because of thier computer issues and woudl in return blame Verizon.

[ferraris]

Wal-mart (and other big box and electronics stores probably) sells USB cellular modems. They offer pay as you go plans, but if you want a contract then it is probably best to first check and see what Sprint can offer you. Since you won't be using it for much, you probably won't hit any data caps.

[Sandster24]

Originally Posted by greg42

Comcast does have an "economy" internet plan that used to be around $25-ish, but as far as I know they still price it $15 higher if you do not buy any TV from them. Yet, that is what I have at my house (though I have the faster normal plan). Economy TV usually costs around $12, so it's better to have that than have none. I don't even use their TV signal. Amazingly, though I hear plenty of negatives about Comcast, I don't have issues. Possibly it's because I don't usually have to call them for anything. I've gone years without calling them.

I will see if Comcast will let me sign up for anything at all without a contract (or no contract, but a much higher monthly fee than with a contract). Then I will think about Comcast before I sign up to be consistently overbilled and double billed like the last time I had Comcast! Thank you for the info. I will look into this Economy TV stuff...

[Sandster24]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

Wal-mart (and other big box and electronics stores probably) sells USB cellular modems.

A "USB cellular modem" the same thing as a "broadband stick, right?" I am going to see if I can get some info. on this at Wal-mart early one morning when they're not busy. Thanks for the reply! I am at the library again, and this has gotten old!

[Sandster24]

Originally Posted by Augie6

Thinking outside the box. If you are just using the internet for job searchingm try to looking into local libraries community colleges etc . I know new ken has a branch of WCCC that offered (not sure if they still do) services for people unemployed looking for work. Including computer access and much more hands on stuff.

Comcast really does offer the best product around.. You can try to find Verizon Dry Loop (its a dsl connection without having to suscribe to a phoen service)

I not saying this is you, Sandster, but most people get upset with customer service for issues they can't fix. I worked for Verizon and people would not be able to use thier internet because of thier computer issues and woudl in return blame Verizon.

I hadn't heard of a Verizon Dry Loop before, but I will check into it! Comcast's actual Internet product was great, but they spent 9 months overbilling and double billing my credit card. After being cursed out (literally) by 2 customer service reps who didn't care that it had been 9 months and they still hadn't fixed any of the billing problems, I finally got the credit card company to fix it (should have done that on Day 1!).

[ferraris]

You should check Clear, it looks like it could work well for you.