大咖福利影院

melendezki wrote:

We will be in Rio Grande. We have done ok with using our Sprint hotspot while we're there on vacation, but because we will be renting out our first floor unit on Airbnb, VRBO etc., we're going to want a router for full wi-fi. It would be nice if I could make the arrangements on the phone prior to arrival, but I think that's out of the question from what I hear from postings by others on here.

FYI, there is nothing wrong with planing on using wifi in the house, the problem is that typically it does not penetrate very well thru the concrete walls. You may need to wire from one WIFI router to another to cover the house. If you are building a new house I would suggest paying for the installation of CAT5 or CAT6 Ethernet wiring to every room so you can plug in or plug in a WIFI router at every room and the backyard.
Just an FYI

PS. I just remember, you can also install special routers that use the house electric wiring, so anywhere you have a regular electric socket you can install a WIFI unit. Regardless of how many you want to install, you will need at least two of them, one connects to the regular router and the rest of them provide signal.

When using multiple routers, make them all the same "SSID", that is the name of the network and configure them similarly, with the exception that only one can provide "DHCP", that is what gives your computers their IP number. The other routers should have it turned off. This configuration will allow you to road thru the house and backyard switching from WIFI to WIFI unit without loosing your connection at all!!!!!

melendezki wrote:

Thank you ReyP!聽 The concrete walls do present barriers with our hotspot.聽 We can only access the internet on the patio outside, and phone reception through Sprint is also very spotty in the house, but otherwise Adlin20, we are happy with Sprint.聽 We want a local cell phone as well since we're going to be over there full-time anyway, and it may just be our imagination, but people tend to return your call quicker when the caller id says 787.聽

We had a guest from Russia last month that purchased a tracphone and then a router through AT&T for $133 and had excellent wi-fi all through the house ... any thoughts on going that way?

Thanks!

Kim

I have never used the tracphone service but do know a little. They contract to buy network usage for a fixed price from Verizon and I also believe AT&T. Their phones as configured will hop into either service and there is no additional charge to you. As to phones .... technically you do not need to buy a phone from them. Your current iPhone or Android phone should work. They have a prepaid service so you can try their service for a month at a time, they do seem to have 6 months contract also. If you decide to use them I recommend month to month for 90 days so you can get a good feel of their service and if it does not work well for you switch to Sprint or AT&T.

As to WIFI, good commercial WIFI routers have multiple modes or versions of 802.11 such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11c, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac and the new upcoming 802.11ad.

802.11ac and ad uses multiple antennas to send and receive simultaneously and to help it detect errors. But given the concrete and metal in the walls, I would recommend:
1) Connect your TV directly to the modern via a Ethernet cable,
2) Set the WIFI modem to use 802.11a, it is not as fast but the frequencies it uses goes thru wall much better.

TV connected directly to router via a wire will give it the best speed and will not be affected by bad signals so your TV should show you unbroken content, unless the issue is outside your house.

travelgurl wrote:

I am trying to work out a new cell phone carrier before I move next month.聽 I am currently on Verizon and have no desire to deal with Claro (they are trying to force that).聽 I am trying to decide between Sprint and AT&T.聽 I have heard that Sprint has improved very much.聽 I will be in Isla Verde.聽 Any thoughts?

Thanks!

I assume your phone has been unlocked, as such either AT&T or Sprint will do. Listen to the people in the island.

As to Internet access or a hot spot device that uses the mobil carrier, I do not know what others here are doing but I give you two warnings:
1) The signal will vary from time to time even in your home, so the wifi signal will be able to cary more or less traffic based on carrier strength at a given moment.
2) Depending on your plan, you may have unlimited data or a set amount. If using a set amount they will either charge you extra if you go over or prevent you from using data until the next month kicks in.

If you are going the route of using the mobile carrier signal, I just wanted you to do so with your eyes open.
Wish you luck and lets see what others say about using carrier for home Internet instead of dedicated internet access.

travelgurl wrote:

I am trying to work out a new cell phone carrier before I move next month.聽 I am currently on Verizon and have no desire to deal with Claro (they are trying to force that).聽 I am trying to decide between Sprint and AT&T.聽 I have heard that Sprint has improved very much.聽 I will be in Isla Verde.聽 Any thoughts?

Thanks!

We have been with Sprint for at least 10 years and have not had many problems with service in PR.聽 Since we are preparing to move to PR next month, we went to our local Sprint store in Grand Rapids, Michigan last weekend and made arrangements for updated cell phones, and replaced one of our phone numbers for a 787 PUERTO RICO PHONE NUMBER!聽 Everything was formalized last night, and we now have a LOCAL PR PHONE NUMBER, no problemo.