Temporary Internet Access - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

gdmaclew · 2012-08-18, 08:23 AM

My sister is coming to Canada for a 4-week visit from Australia and she needs Internet access for her laptop at the cottage in the Gatineaus north of Ottawa while she is here.

Can anyone suggest a solution for her?

Maybe some kind of wireless dongle?

Thank you.

Doug

bpsmicro · 2012-08-19, 07:50 AM

While I don't have direct experience, I see you could buy a Rogers LTE RocketStick for $170, and then set up a Pre-Paid data plan for $10, $25 or $100 (the latter gives you 1.5Gig). I got all this from the Rogers web site.
You'd need good line-of-site, so depending on where you are that may or may not be viable. And depending on how far you are from the tower, you may get crappy speeds and/or unreliable service.
At the end of the month, pop the stick up on Kijiji to recoup some of the $170, or keep it for the next visit.

An alternative may be to investigate free WiFi options within a convenient distance (though I have the feeling that may prove difficult).

Maybe somebody will think of other options.

Brad.

gdmaclew · 2012-08-19, 08:20 AM

Thanks Brad.

I've been looking into this and the options for visitors/tourists in the National Capital Region are pitiful.

I know that most of the big hotels offer free wireless internet access but there are very few hotspots for tourists.

You would think that being the NCR, the government/industry would take the opportunity to provide access to basic wireless access to tourists to promote the area. It's done all over the US.

I guess we really are behind the times here.

bpsmicro · 2012-08-19, 08:47 AM

The NCC is looking into free WiFi in the major NCC-controlled tourist area. The project was delayed, but I've heard it's still going ahead and may be operational next year. I know there are a lot of free hotspots run by various companies (McDonalds, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, etc). Most libraries have internet access (usually on their own computers, though). But cottage country is a bit more problematic. :-)

envirogeek · 2012-08-19, 10:31 AM

As bpsmicro already stated, I think cellular Internet is your only option.

Any chance your sister owns an unlocked smart tablet/phone Android or iDevice? Or that someone in your family here in Canada has a device they could lend her while she is here?

You may be able to use a pay as you data plan for tethering or mobile hot spot to her laptop.

Is she staying in an area where you already know who has the best cell signal at the cottage?

If so, you'll have to investigate your choice of the Bellus/Rogers pay as you go data plan and tethering restrictions.

Also, does she really need her laptop while she is here to use particular applications? I've found my iPad to be a great traveling device for email and browsing. Using a smart device only may alleviate some tethering complications.

gdmaclew · 2012-08-19, 02:30 PM

I agree.

Tethered is probably the only way to go.

Thanks all.

2012-08-18, 08:23 AM	#1
gdmaclew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ottawa;Denon AVR590, Samsung LN32B460, BellTV 6141 Posts: 241	Temporary Internet Access My sister is coming to Canada for a 4-week visit from Australia and she needs Internet access for her laptop at the cottage in the Gatineaus north of Ottawa while she is here. Can anyone suggest a solution for her? Maybe some kind of wireless dongle? Thank you. Doug

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2012-08-19, 07:50 AM	#2
bpsmicro Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 48	While I don't have direct experience, I see you could buy a Rogers LTE RocketStick for $170, and then set up a Pre-Paid data plan for $10, $25 or $100 (the latter gives you 1.5Gig). I got all this from the Rogers web site. You'd need good line-of-site, so depending on where you are that may or may not be viable. And depending on how far you are from the tower, you may get crappy speeds and/or unreliable service. At the end of the month, pop the stick up on Kijiji to recoup some of the $170, or keep it for the next visit. An alternative may be to investigate free WiFi options within a convenient distance (though I have the feeling that may prove difficult). Maybe somebody will think of other options. Brad.

2012-08-19, 08:20 AM	#3
gdmaclew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ottawa;Denon AVR590, Samsung LN32B460, BellTV 6141 Posts: 241	Thanks Brad. I've been looking into this and the options for visitors/tourists in the National Capital Region are pitiful. I know that most of the big hotels offer free wireless internet access but there are very few hotspots for tourists. You would think that being the NCR, the government/industry would take the opportunity to provide access to basic wireless access to tourists to promote the area. It's done all over the US. I guess we really are behind the times here.

2012-08-19, 08:47 AM	#4
bpsmicro Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 48	The NCC is looking into free WiFi in the major NCC-controlled tourist area. The project was delayed, but I've heard it's still going ahead and may be operational next year. I know there are a lot of free hotspots run by various companies (McDonalds, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, etc). Most libraries have internet access (usually on their own computers, though). But cottage country is a bit more problematic. :-)

2012-08-19, 10:31 AM	#5
envirogeek Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Calgary - Shaw phone & internet, 4 bay OTA in attic / Pigeon Lake - CCI Wireless, 8 bay OTA on roof Posts: 564	As bpsmicro already stated, I think cellular Internet is your only option. Any chance your sister owns an unlocked smart tablet/phone Android or iDevice? Or that someone in your family here in Canada has a device they could lend her while she is here? You may be able to use a pay as you data plan for tethering or mobile hot spot to her laptop. Is she staying in an area where you already know who has the best cell signal at the cottage? If so, you'll have to investigate your choice of the Bellus/Rogers pay as you go data plan and tethering restrictions. Also, does she really need her laptop while she is here to use particular applications? I've found my iPad to be a great traveling device for email and browsing. Using a smart device only may alleviate some tethering complications.

2012-08-19, 02:30 PM	#6
gdmaclew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ottawa;Denon AVR590, Samsung LN32B460, BellTV 6141 Posts: 241	I agree. Tethered is probably the only way to go. Thanks all.