Internet service at home w/o phone or cable tv. Possible?

Factual Questions
1

I haven’t had a telephone landline in about eight years. I’m a cell-phone only.

I used to have cable tv. I don’t now. I figured it was a waste of money after I literally did not turn on the tv for six months. Also, TimeWarner Cable should be turned to dust and blown away in a wind of righteous fire.

When I got rid of cable, I thought I was getting rid of internet too, but then I found I could pick up a mysterious wireless signal on my laptop, and even though I had no idea where it came from, I’ve been using it for about a year. Maybe not a wise thing to do, not to mention the ethics of it, but that’s what I did.

Then about a week ago, it started asking for login information. Aha! It was somebody’s private internet connection I was leeching off of, and they finally set up security. Good for them, I guess. But what do I do now?

I have no use for either cable tv or a landline telephone. I don’t want to pay for something I’ll never use. How do I get an internet connection - and only an internet connection - in my home?

2

It depends on where you live.

Your profile says Queens, NYC

Around here these guys http://www.clear.com/ have been advertising a bunch. I don’t know how good they are or whether they’re available in your area.

But what they’re selling is what you want. Pure unbundled internet via wireless.

I have no idea if there are other similar providers in your area. I’d bet a Google for [WiMax Queens] or [Wimax New york] would tell you a lot.

3

You can get “naked DSL”, which is DSL service without the phone service. And I’m sure that Time-Warner Cable will be happy to sell you cable modem service alone, although they’re going to push the cable service as well.

4

Time Warner most likely offers internet service without cable, but at a slightly higher rate than with.

Whoever your phone provider is may or may not offer “dry loop” DSL service. Around these parts AT&T offers it, although you need to hunt around their site a little bit to discover that fact.

5

Some cellular services offer Internet. Around here, it is a 1Mb/sec max speed, which is in the very low range of “high-speed” Internet, but still much better than dialup. It’s the only hope some rural customers have other than satellite.

6

A good place to look is the forums at Broadband Rerpots(dot) Com.

They are really helpful and others have similar situations as you so you can get a feel at what others are advising too

7

I use my cell phone as a modem, cost me about $29.99 IIRC. I can use up to 5 gig of data a month before I get charged more, but have never used more than 2 gig even though I use it for home and work. Download speed is pretty good, but not has good as high speed cable.

8

I have Time Warner, cable internet only. It’s $43.95/mo - that includes a $3/mo discount for owning my own modem. The normal setup is $46.95/mo and they provide the modem.

9

In my experience, the big cable companies will certainly cell you internet alone, but the price will be jacked up to the point that it’s only a few bucks more to get TV and/or phone. Still, the option is there.

10

I use a Verizon USB aircard (wireless modem) which is sort of a cell phone in disguise - no voice just data.
It costs about $59 per month and there is a 5 GB data usage per month limit. Other carriers offer competitive plans. Verizon and Spring have the best broadband coverage at this time.
Broadband Access Rev A speeds are:
Downloads — typical speeds of 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps Bursts up to 2000 kbps
Uploads — typical speeds of 500-800 Kbps
There are at least two satellite services - Hughes and Wild Blue. Hughes and I believe Wild Blue has data limits also. Their speeds are a little slower from what I have read.

11

Thanks for all the suggestions. My cellphone network is Verizon, so I may do what Diver is doing. Maybe I can get a package deal.

I figured it would work something like that. Exactly what I’m trying to avoid.

12

I don’t have specific experience with your area, but here in Sacramento I’ve done exactly what you want with both AT&T and Comcast: subscribed only to their internet service. I hate both companies due to Kafka-like customer service but there isn’t a lot of other choice here. The Comcast price has been around $30, so it is much cheaper than bundling with their TV services, which I wouldn’t need.

13

Virgin Mobile just changed their pre-pay Broadband2Go service to unlimited data for $40 for 30 days. It used to be $60 for 5 gigs and 30 days, so this is a vast improvement. The coverage areas are limited pretty much to metro areas and along the interstates. The good thing is it’s portable. There’s a multiple device wifi modem for $150 and a usb modem for around $90. I got it for internet on trips, but now I’ll use it at home too since it’s faster than my old netscape dialup.

14

I have DSL through AT&T. I don’t have a landline, my cell is through T-Mobile, and I don’t have a TV. The only way you can find out what’s available in your area is to call and ask; don’t trust their online things that tell you what’s available–ask an actual person.

15

I have RCN. It’s 10Mbps for $35/mo. Cable internet only, no TV.

16

I have cable broadband, but not TV or phone. Cox sells their broadband for $45, at least the tier I have, and discounts it $10 if you also have a cable TV plan. Considering that even with the discount, cable TV + broadband = ~$80, it doesn’t seem to be a terribly unfair price point.

17

I had a Road Runner and cable TV package with Time Warner Cable. Then I switched to DirecTV (the ex wanted NFL Network) but kept the Road Runner service. They charge me about $50/month.

I also am cell phone only, no landline. TWC occasionally sends me package (internet plus cable, internet plus phone) but otherwise there’s no issues with using them for internet only.