Pay As You Go: 50 cent data plan for tethering ONLY

**drexvil** · 04-21-2012, 07:13 PM

I'm thinking about ditching Comcast ISP at my mother's house and get her a Boost phone SOLELY to tether to her laptop for her occasional internet use. She uses it 3 times a week mainly for email, some Youtube, recipes, etc, simple things really. Considering her light usage, would the 50 cent daily data plan work well? What phone would be the best? I think a cheap rooted Android phone with tethering capabilities (wifi preferred) would be ideal.

Anyone considered this? I would be saving $40+ per month. I understand that tethering is not officially supported by Boost.

How are Boost Mobile's data speeds in NJ?

Thanks!

**klc3rd** · 04-21-2012, 07:46 PM

If that's the case why don't you just get a mifi from a major carrier? Verizon is $50 a month for 5gb which should be enough, I just say that because it just seems kind of needless to do that when an officially supported one with better service isn't much more. You could even go with like a virgin mobile mifi, though it wouldn't be any better than boost service.

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**drexvil** · 04-21-2012, 08:04 PM

Oh and we can't do dial-up internet since we don't have a land line. Adding a land line itself would be $20 a month.

**drexvil** · 04-21-2012, 08:01 PM

She uses the internet like 4-6 times a month to check emails, so I would rather spend about $15 than $50. It adds up. That's why I want a daily plan instead of a monthly plan.

**kolosus** · 04-21-2012, 08:54 PM

Problem here is that to tether on Boost you'd need an Android device. All Android devices are monthly unlimited ($55) or daily unlimited ($2). The only way to get a data only price is if you have a "dummy" phone. Or if you put a dummy phone serial on a non-dummy phone.

**gotanmp3** · 04-21-2012, 11:34 PM

If your data usage isn't going to be very heavy, T-Mobile has a $30/mo 5gb plan here. AT&T also has something similar, $30/mo for 3gb, but it requires an iPad or Tablet IMEI to sign up for the plan.

It's twice the price of Boost (30 x $0.50), but you'll generally get much better speeds. Depending on your budget, it might be worth looking into.

**georgepa** · 04-23-2012, 09:44 PM

You can move a Sprint Windows Mobile phone into Boost, put it on "Pay as You Go" and you are set. You will be at around $$10 plus $50 cts. per day/web use = $16 month (assuming your mom does indeed use the phone 3 times per week for data.)

Best phones to use for tethering are the newer HTC phones, because they are 3G phones, not 1x, for better data speeds. My favorite for tethering was the HTC Touch Pro, but you could also go with the HTC Mogul or the HTC Touch Pro 2. The HTC Touch Pro 2 features a larger screen and faster processor, but is a bit on the pricier side. Ebay price is about $55 and up http://www.ebay.com/ctg/HTC-Touch-Pr...pt=Cell_Phones whereas the HTC Mogul is cheap, but a bit on the ugly side. Ebay price is about $23, $25. http://www.ebay.com/ctg/HTC-PPC6800-...pt=Cell_Phones

The Touch Pro is around $35 on Ebay.

Bottom line is that these phones are excellent for tethering, are easily moved into Boost (just call a rep and ask for the phone to be moved into a Boost account) and Wifi tethering applications are free to download. No data limits, so even if your mom decides to view Youtube movies or other video on the days she uses data, no need to count data usage.

**drexvil** · 04-24-2012, 06:42 PM

Thanks kolosus for pointing out the Android phone only using Daily Unlimited. Saved me lots of headache.

Georgepa: Thanks too for that info, you're an asset to the community as I'm sure others who see your post will find it helpful. I'm leaning toward the HTC Mogul, but would data speeds be lower than the Touch Pro 2, as the processor may be the bottleneck? I don't have experience with Windows Mobile 6, how does one get the wifi tethering apps? Is there "market"? Besides the app, any additional settings to make it work?

**georgepa** · 04-24-2012, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by drexvil

Thanks kolosus for pointing out the Android phone only using Daily Unlimited. Saved me lots of headache.

Georgepa: Thanks too for that info, you're an asset to the community as I'm sure others who see your post will find it helpful. I'm leaning toward the HTC Mogul, but would data speeds be lower than the Touch Pro 2, as the processor may be the bottleneck? I don't have experience with Windows Mobile 6, how does one get the wifi tethering apps? Is there "market"? Besides the app, any additional settings to make it work?

There is really no big difference between the Mogul and Touch Pro/Touch Pro 2 when it comes to tethering speed. All 3 phones are 3G phones. I would probably take the battery cover off, as the battery tends to get pretty hot during a tethering session. The problem with that is that if the battery gets too hot it will stop charging, even if plugged into a wall outlet. Then the battery simply starts to drain and the phone will eventually shut down. Of course you can simply put in another battery and start another session, but I would probably have the battery cover off and perhaps have a small fan blow on the exposed battery to keep it cool if you are going for a long tethering session.

There are some nice tethering programs for Win Mo 6. A free one, and very easy to set up, is HTC Wifi Tethering. You can download it from this site: http://theunlockr.com/downloads/wind...-applications/

Just like with Android phones, you can either plug the phone into your computer and put the .cab files on that way (phone shows as a storage device and you can copy into folders like "documents") or you can put the .cab file onto a micro sd card in your computer (using an adapter) and then move the micro sd card to the appropriate slot in your phone. Opening the .cab file from your phone's file manager will start the program setup.

You have to start a Boost account before you can move one of the Sprint phones discussed here in. You can start a Boost account with an existing phone. Perhaps someone you know has a Boost phone laying around or you could borrow the needed ESN number from someone here to start that account. Then simply call Boost with your Sprint HTC phone in hand and tell them you want to move that phone into your Boost account. Generally an easy procedure.

**drexvil** · 04-24-2012, 09:12 PM

Thanks for the post. I'm reading this post below, but your summary is much better.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...r-best-speeds/

**theEMP** · 04-25-2012, 09:54 AM

something like http://www.truconnect.com/ since they are sprint powered might work for you as well.

**kolosus** · 04-25-2012, 02:48 PM

I was talking to someone last night and I came across this method. At the moment Best Buy is selling refurbished Mifi devices for $40. Model number 2200. In their outlet stores only not available at your local store, ship to store is an option.

They are made for Tethering in mind so things should be easier. Some guy is selling Boost ESN in the North Jersey Craigslist for $5-$10. So you have your device. You have an ESN to swap out if needed. Just setup your account and away you go. Just a thought. Please. Let's not turn this thread about the legal implications.

I did like the Touch pro/touch pro 2 option mentioned earlier. Might want to give it a shot. Just have to go out and get one of those....