Wireless Internet Options, noob desperately needs help

[Rodge]

Hello. For the sake of time I’m going to just state my problem, and give more details as I go on. You don’t have to read the whole thing, just read until you have some ideas to help. I figure I’m going to post a lot of info because I have never looked into this before and I have no idea how much is relevant.

The problem: I need mobile wireless internet (that I can take with me nearly anywhere), however, it seems most mobile hotspots are out my price range. My need is simple homework, use blackboard software, post text, download/upload word documents (maybe a very occasional excel). Very rarely, if ever will I ever need to see any video, maybe one minute low res max and I can work around it if it isn’t an option. I do not have a cell phone. What are my options? What about wireless internet cards?

Extra info: Okay, I’m a substitute teacher. However I have to skip some days because I get assignments that I have no way of knowing how long they’ll take, so I need to at least start on them before three o’clock. Not fun for me since I’m usually at work, and this county does not let substitute teachers use school logins or school wifi. So I need to be able to do minimal work from class during breaks or while some high schoolers may be doing work.

I know something called wireless internet cards exist, like flash drive with antennae on them, however I have never made a purchase. If these will do what I need, what should I buy/look for in a purchase? Keep in mind I know nothing about these, but I’m also pretty desperate.

My laptop is a HP Pavilion, if that matters.

 

[voyagerfan99]

If you have a smartphone, you can add a tethering data plan option to your current monthly cell phone plan. Another option is to get the USB hotspot cards that you mentioned. Still with either option, you need to buy it through a cellular provider.

 

[beers]

What kind of budget do you have, where do you live, and do you have a rough estimate of how much data you would be utilizing?

There are a few options for wireless dongles. One of the cheaper ones is Freedompop which gives you a free allocation of monthly data when you buy the dongle (500 MB/mo). They have packages to purchase extra bandwidth at an additional cost. If you don't live within a Wimax area, they have 3G or LTE devices but they are a little more expensive.

http://freedompop.com/

There are also providers like Sprint that have plans such as $35/mo for 3 GB of data per month, although they tie you into a 2 year agreement if you want the device at a discount.

http://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/shop/plan/plan_wall.jsp?tabId=pt_data_plans_tab

You have a few options for devices. There are USB dongles which plug into a USB port on your PC and offer connectivity for one device, or there are hotspots which broadcast a wifi signal that you can connect to. Also keep in mind some places are somewhat strict on bringing your own wifi devices as they may potentially interfere with the school/business's infrastructure (although these situations are somewhat rare).

I do not have a cell phone.

If you have a smartphone

 

[voyagerfan99]

I do not have a cell phone.

If you have a smartphone

I missed that part

 

[Rodge]

What kind of budget do you have, where do you live, and do you have a rough estimate of how much data you would be utilizing?

There are a few options for wireless dongles. One of the cheaper ones is Freedompop which gives you a free allocation of monthly data when you buy the dongle (500 MB/mo). They have packages to purchase extra bandwidth at an additional cost. If you don't live within a Wimax area, they have 3G or LTE devices but they are a little more expensive.

Very low budget, stereotype broke college student, I'm aiming for under fifty dollars. I sadly can't give an exact number on data usage, partly because I do have a home computer and this is supplemental, partly because I have very little perspective on how much a MB is. I do have wifi at home I can use, so I can do some here some there.

500 MB should be more than enough I think. Let's say I am browsing a webpage, how much would that take up? Namely interactive websites using blackboard software? I have never been limited by data so this all new to me.

I don't live in a Wimax area. Any other information about my location you need I'm happy to give.

As far as interfering with the wifi, I have no idea if that would be a problem or not. For the time being I'm assuming it won't be, but I may have to ask before I make a purchase. Thanks for the heads up.