cheap Internet access?

[aafpoc]

Like many of us on this community, I'm a grad student living on tiiiiiny stipend, and have recently realized that I'm spending more on internet access ($60/month) than on food and utilities combined. I have cable; can't get DSL (or even, gasp, dialup) because I've never been able to get a landline guy to actually show up here to put in a line.

Comments

[madcaptenor]

Stealing someone else's wireless? It's possible someone near you has an unsecured network.

Good lord!

[fountaingirl]

Even considering Ramen and that lovely mac and cheeze w/ tuna and peas casserole that is a staple of the student diet, I can't imagine what you have been eating thus far to keep utilities and food under $60/month.

I take it you have a desktop rather than a laptop? Sometimes campuses have "wi fi" areas that are pre-wired for the Internet and you can access from there, but this doesn't help with a desktop.

How often do you need to be online? Is this a major part of your research, or is it mostly email? Do you use large data sets or download articles from databases, and thus need the faster connection? (If so you may just need to consider it one of the expenses of your education, or try to use a campus computer?)

[tbonestg]

Well, you could go with BASIC basic cable. Here that runs about $11 a month. They install a filter to block out extended channels. Then, once they leave, you remove the filter and get extended basic.

[lost_almost]

How do you remove the filter?

[tbonestg]

You unscrew it. It's rediculously easy to do. Just make sure you put it back if you need them to do service or something...

[materialising]

$60 a month for cable internet??? Wow. I pay about 25 bucks. Maybe if you try to unsubscribe via phone, they'll offer you some 'deal' to stay on with them. Worth a shot.

[roseofjuly]

That's what I'm thinking...Comcast offers it for $40 around here, and that's tops.

[tigg]

Aside from borrowing someone's wireless, why not just access the internet from campus?