Does the “E” in F-I-R-E stand for entertainment?

[Thailandnotes]

My wife and I return to the states for about 8 weeks each June. Last summer when our land line in Virginia went dead we got rid of it because Verizon said it would be a week before a repairman would be in our area. It's a rural area, so with the land line went our dial-up internet connection. (5% of American still have dial-up.)

My neighbor had an AT&T air card. I called to ask about them just before we returned to Thailand. The card was about sixty dollars and the service was forty something a month. Not anymore. Sign a two contract or buy the air card (modem) for 249 dollars to qualify for month to month service.

I went online looking to compare air cards for AT&T and Verizon. (only games in town) The anger and tears of people being ripped off and shaken down by fine print shocked even this ituliper.

Here in Thailand:

Land line + my Nokia (contract, but you can end it anytime, no penalty), wife's phone (pay as you go)
3 phones = 250 dollars per year. ADSL is peanuts.

Meanwhile most Americans are spending more than 2,000/year on phone-cable-internet, with 5,000/year not uncommon...

http://money.blogs.time.com/2010/02/...d-video-games/

[KGW]

Re: Does the “E” in F-I-R-E stand for entertainment?

I'm seriously considering doing without the "convenience" of paying Verizon $1850 a year. . .It's the freakin' phone company!! I feel like an idiot everytime I think about it!

[c1ue]

Re: Does the “E” in F-I-R-E stand for entertainment?

Depending on the coverage in your area - you might be able to get a Cricket, MetroPCS, or similar unmetered internet plan.

That plus an newer Android smartphone - you can tether your computer and/or a wireless router to the cell phone.

It would be slower than you have now, but then again won't be nearly so expensive.