Help this Low-Techie at the crossroads of the next level: WIRELESS

[UTUSN]

O.K., I dream of consolidating/downsizing, all phone/internet into one source/provider, getting rid of landline.

I'm a *really* late bloomer, only caved to a cell phone a month ago, and that was because of a stalled car incident.

So I got this cell from these seemingly fly-by-night places with an "office" every 10 blocks, no contract. I'm guessing that once I switch everything over to them, they will either close down or else raise the rates at will. Any input there, for starters? (QUESTION #1)


So, they have a wireless deal with "bundling." This would mean I could get rid of the landline and the internet provider.

So, questions:

* Once I'm totally switched over to them, this means (getting rid of my internet provider) I would have to get a Yahoo or Hotmail new e-addy, correct? (QUESTION #2)

* Would I lose all my current Favorites/Bookmarks? Or can they be migrated? (QUESTION #3)

* Would I have access to Outlook Express, where many of my URLs and drafts and e-mails are currently saved? (QUESTION #4)

* My Dish satellite signal shuts down during storms: Does wireless work that way, too? (QUESTION #5)



The bottom line is that I smell something fly-by-night by these "Pocket" and "Cricket), no contract places, although I *do* like the NO contract part.


Any answers will be totally appreciated, including on how WIRELESS works. TIA!1

[lizziegrace]

1. Be careful

I looked at getting a wireless internet card from Verizon. I found out by downloading a usage monitor that I would exceed the highest GB option in a week. If I changed to the wireless card from Verizon, I wouldn't be able to watch youtube videos, stream music, or watch clips of Countdown. Nothing. All for $60/month on top of my cell phone plan. No way.

I have cable television and a cable modem. I have wireless in my house by using a wireless router. The cable company configured it to work with the cable modem. I have my cell phone through Verizon. No land line.

on edit - the wireless router works in my house only. I cannot access it if I'm away from home. If I need internet access in the world, I find a coffee shop or library with free internet access so I can use my laptop.

[UTUSN]

2. Thanks. I only understood PART

"internet card"? Would that be involved in this deal?


The up side in your information is that I am SO low tech that I don't *do* "youtube videos, stream music, or watch clips" --- nothing.


"wireless router"? Could I get that to work with Dish satellite? I would only need it for the house only.


Thanks again for your reply!1

[lizziegrace]

3. What I'm familiar with (through wireless companies like Verizon)

is that they offer a card that you insert in a computer port that acts as an antenna and allows you to access the internet. The amount of data that the plans allow sound like a lot, but I found that checking email and DU and news sites uses a lot more of your "data allowance" than you would think and it's more expensive than DSL or cable internet. (DSL is through a phone line but isn't dial-up)

A router allows you to have several computers plugged in to the same internet connection. The one I have has a built in antennae which allows a computer with wireless capabilities to access the internet from anywhere in the house.

I don't know if DISH offers internet service. If they do, a wireless router would work fine.