Help with internet connection via 3g or 4 g

[hamsterjill]

First, let me just admit here, publicly, that I am NOT tech savvy at all! I am a dinosaur, so forgive these very basic questions.

I've had Time Warner internet for years, and this last week, I'd finally just HAD it with their service outtages and lack of customer service, etc., so I cancelled my services with them.

I have AT&T as a cell phone provider and have a data plan for my iphone.

I'd like NOT to have the expense of a separate internet provider for my home laptop. I don't use internet connection all that much while at home, but I would like it available if I need it.

Is there a way that I can get something that will allow my laptop to connect to my the AT&T 3g or 4g network? Is it called a "laptop stick"? And do I need to increase the data plan with AT&T to "unlimited" so as not to be charged for large amounts of time should I need it?

I'm really looking for some "elementary" help here. Thanks in advance for any explanations and/or suggestions.

[NYC_SKP]

1. You want to use tethering. ATT doesn't do unlimited anymore for the iPhone.

And yes, there is a laptop connect card, I have one.

I was paying extra for that, but it's only 3G.

With an iPad and iPhone5 and MacBook Air, I recently changed over to a mobile share plan, 10GB data limit.

Now I can use my iPhone5 at 4G as a wireless hub and my iPad and any other computer with WiFi can connect to the Internet.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

2. I have AT&T cell service but...

...never tried their cellular internet. This device:
https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/sierrawireless/att-unite-white.html#fbid=-WmzSIMqCA-

...and various smartphones that offer shareable WiFi are an option for you. I don't know anything about pricing.

Hope this helps.

[RoccoR5955]

3. Good Luck with that

I have tried 3G, and it's so damn slow, it's like torture. 4G is supposed to be better, but I am not sure of the details of their service. I'm a heavy user, and I use between 1-3 GB of data a day. They don't have any plan that suits my needs, so I use cable.
In short, you better not plan to watch too many movies at 3G. You will hate it.
4G is also limited as far as the service area. I do not have experience with it, because 4G is not in my area yet.
So if you need speed NOW, you will have to go with a wire. Whatever wire it is into your house, but it's gonna be wire.

[Mnpaul]

4. I use a T Mobile prepaid stick

You will have to check for coverage in your area on their site. Prepaid is actually cheaper than the contract setup. I got mine from Walmart(yuk) $60 because you get to use the data over 2 months instead of one. $35 for 3.5 gb of data. Speeds are still in dialup territory and you have to wait for videos to load. It is fairly easy to set up. Just plug the unit in and the software on the stick will automatically install. After that set up an account online and get a phone number assigned and you are ready to go. This is the unit I am using: http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/Phones/cell-phone-detail.aspx?class=prepaid&cell-phone=T-Mobile-Rocket-4G-USB-Laptop-Stick

I works fairly well most of the time and I never got close to reaching the 3.5 gb limit. I feel it is worth the $17.50 a month that it costs.

[Kali]

5. I have been using a verizon stick for about 6 months

pretty happy with it, but then I was coming from 24 K (yes, K) speeds. I guess this is slow too (I am rural and rarely get 3 G speeds, much less 4), but compared to that, well...I am just

the cost is a bit high - $50 for 5 Gs of data/month and a 10 overage for ANYTHING over up to another 1 G. that kind of pisses me off so I am also trying a Tmobile stick for a month or so because they let you go over the 5 G at a slower speed. meh, the connection for my main location is not as good as verizon so I will probably be staying with V.

Wish they would just do an unlimited plan, the nickle and diming on top of a pretty high price to begin with is pretty irritating.