just about every place we call is long distance.is there anything we can do to get the bill lower?do we still need the phone lines to get on the internet? HOW CAN WE GET OFF THIS GRID???????

helppppppp!!!!!!!

-- fred m in wi (sixuvusmeyers@aol.com), November 17, 2000

Answers

It is long distance from home to where I work and I do need to call home occasionally. I find the cheapest way to do this is with a prepaid phone card. I buy them at Walmart. DW

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.com), November 17, 2000.

I have the same problem. The only reason that I am not in a different area code is because so many, here in the valley, work outside of it. A dear friend gave me prepaid calling cards for Christmas last year. They are a big help. You do need a phone line for the internet. If you do not have a local dial up number for the internet, try using the computers at the local library. I even have to have two phone lines because of my private studio. With all the computers we have and the homeschooling and research, I have to have a line available for my students. I even have voice mail. I just cannot figure out a way without phone service. Personally, all I want it for is business and the internet.

-- Cheryl (bramblecottage@hotmail.com), November 17, 2000.

There is wireless internet available through the newest cellular phones, my computer geek brother has one, but they probably are quite expensive right now, but the price will come down, as it always does on new gadgets. The flat rate fee, no roaming fee, nationwide cellular rates are getting real competitive, would possibly be an alternative for you, coupled with the wireless internet cellular phones. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 18, 2000.

try dialpad.com

-- Wayne (plefor@hotpop.com), November 18, 2000.

We use Bigzoo.com.It's 3.9 cents per minute with no other charges. We have had no problems with this service other than occasional busy signals during peak hours.It's used like a calling card,paid for in advance by credit or debit card. JT

-- JT Sessions (gone2seed@hotmail.com), November 18, 2000.

Is your ISP a local call? If it is use the mic amd sound card and use a net phone sevice like net2phone for your ld calls. There are a few to choose from now and they have eliminated the phone/pc feedback problem.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 18, 2000.

Fred; A place we stayed at a couple of months ago was completly off the grid they had phones and internet access via radio. I have no idea how it works but uou could probably contact them they were very helpful and willing to answer questions. They have an internet site its in one of my old posts the place is called eco park its at the base of Mt. St. Helens in Washington

-- ronda (thejohnsons@localaccess.com), November 18, 2000.

I have resisted getting a cellular phone or wireless phone until September. Our land land service got so unreliable here so I just keep the land land to our computer and had my home office land line disconnected. A wireless company here had a special going where for $49.95 a month I get UNLIMITED minutes and anywhere I call in the top half of our state is NOT long distance. Since I am a newspaper reporter as well as a homesteader this has worked out great for me. I have a little Nokia phone and I charge it at night while I sleep. If you are totally off the grid you get get some kind of solar charger for it I'm sure.

One of my counterparts in the newspaper business here can get on line using his digital phone and his laptop computer. He also sends his articles to the newspaper that way while I still send mine computer-to-computer over the land line. Some wireless phones are equiped with a computer connection and some aren't. Talk to people in your area and see what works for them there because what works in some areas might not work where you are.

Also, a lot of folks here swear by HAM radios. The testing for that is not as complicated as it used to be and you can get good equipment at HAM swaps. Most of the HAM folks are more than willing to share their knowledge with you and get you started. You might ask your county EMA or sheriff's office who is active in HAM radio in your area.

Hope this helps!!!

-- Suzy in 'Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), November 18, 2000.

Jay We tried the net2phone but got alot of breakup on the audio coming back to us.Have the same problem getting radio on the computer.We have a fast computer, good ammt of memory and a good sound card,but no broadband access of course.What to you do that you can get it to work well for you? I'm pretty neophyte to modern computers.Had programming waaaaay back when on mainframes,fortran.Don't remember a thing!

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), November 18, 2000.

I am going to look at the Starband service when I get my ranch further along. This is the "Gilat-2-Home" service through the DISH network - for 2-way internet access via satellite.

I have to check on power requirements for the equipment to see what it will take - but it is considered broadband service, so some of the internet phone sites should work better than on regular dial-up.

Radio Shack is supposed to be offering it now - $50-$70/mo., but one drawback was going to be a limit of 7,500 users per transponder on the satellite at a time. It might be a little early yet to trust your phone service to this, but it's worth checking out.

-- Jim (jfreeman@jonescorp.com), November 18, 2000.

I am interested in Satellite technology, if only I could remember how to spell! Does anyone know if this is available? I have a dish out at my remote place for television programming but I need it for Internet connection? I saw on the net that MSN is offering this soon, but fairly expensive. $60 per month, $300 for the router or what ever device is needed AND a new PC was required. A total of $2000. I was hoping that the current Dish could be utilized. Thanks for any input.

-- E in Cal (angelgirly2@hotmail.com), November 19, 2000.

Check with your local phone company to see if a wider calling area is available. For a set fee each month this service widens the area you can call without long distance charges. Several of my friends have it here in middle Tennessee. Also check for new advances in the netphone industry - a co-worker mentioned to me that newer technology is becoming available without the problems associated with net calls. Good luck.

-- Linda Al-Sangar (alsangal@brentwood-tn.org), November 19, 2000.

Starband has a new consumer Internet service that can also receive TV http://www.starband.com/ Always on Unlimited access No phone required Two -way Download speed up to 500 kbps and upload speed bursting up to 150 kbps. For download, the minimum speed will be 150 kbps Available throughout the continental US Dish needs to face south Equipment: Satelitte dish, satelitte modem 449.99 Installation: $199.00 (You might be able to do it yourself with a kit) Service: $69.99 per month Can also receive satellite television service from DISH Network http://www.starband.com/wheretobuy/DN.htm

For $100.00 per month you can have Internet access, 150 TV channels,and phone (through Internet phone services). There are Internet phone services that provide net to phone service and it is quite good. Here are couple of reviews: http://www.zdnet.com/products/stories/reviews/0,4161,2574032,00.html http://www.zdnet.com/products/stories/reviews/0,4161,2633954,00.html Here are some more alternatives: http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/search.html?lin k=1&Usrt=date&Ufcode=0019DS,000QVJ,00155F,0007RX,000HEL,0010MN You also need a full-duplex sound card for Internet telephony. There is a PC card designed especially for this. Here is an article: http://www.zdnet.com/sp/issues/980615/328011.html

-- Jerry (jerrywh@aimcomm.com), April 07, 2001.