Tech help pulleeeeese!

[yankeepants]

I have DSL/wireless and unlimited long distance calling through my phone co at about 106.00/month.

I would like to maintain my land line # because I have had it for 20 some years. I also talk to my bro in CO a lot so I need that cheap.

I also get TV through digital converter which isn't always great reception.

I subscribe to netflix and stream "watch instantly" flix through a Wii (mr yankeepants won in a golf tourney)which is nice.

What I need to find out is if there is a cheaper/better way to get internet and long distance and better tv reception. My contract with the phone co is up in OCT and I need to explore this.

I know there are brilliant minds here in the Lounge. Any suggestions?

Thanks'
Yankeepants

[dembotoz]

1. depends on where you live

usually some bundles out there. Depends on who you have and what you can get.
when you say wireless do you mean your dsl has a wireless router and you have internet in the bathroom or do you mean a cell phone.
You probably can port you land line number to your cell phone.
Not enough info to make a real informed suggestion.

[jobycom]

2. Unlimited long distance should be included in any plan these days.

I would think, anyway. Vonage or one of the VoiP providers usually charge you under 30 for a land line with unlimited long distance. You can get high speed internet for about $45. If by "wireless" you mean a wireless internet connection, you shouldn't have to pay extra for that, you just buy a wireless router and hook it up to your modem--no harder than setting up a VCR. If by wireless you mean a cell phone, then you already have a good price, I would think.

On Netflix, their lowest plan is under 10 bucks, and you can still stream unlimited movies, so if you have a higher plan, you can reduce it. I don't have cable so I really don't know what it costs these days.

If you want to get really tricky, you could get a very basic land line for whatever their bare minimum is--seems like it's around 15 bucks--and you could use use the Internet for all your calls. Skype or other chat programs let you talk live for free over your internet connection. You can even set up a cam and have video chat. My kid does it all the time.

If "wireless" means a cell phone, you can go with a very basic plan for around 30 dollars, or even go with a pre-paid and probably get it down to 15 or less a month, depending on usage. You can pay by the minute, the day, or the month.

There are mobile internet companies like Clear.com or Cricket where you could get internet access for about 30 a month, but it wouldn't be very fast, so your Netflix wouldn't stream properly.

Just some thoughts.