Sometimes you cannot access the internet at home, although this does not happen very often. There may be a problem with the service, or you may have just moved and are waiting for your ISP to install your new service. If your primary home connection is down, it is always a good idea to have a backup plan in mind, so that you will still have internet access. We have several suggestions to keep in mind if you are currently looking for a backup plan.
On a side note, if you have actually moved into a new place and are open to recommendations for an ISP, Optimum is a great option. It does not come with data caps so you can enjoy unlimited internet. They cater customers in English and Spanish, which is a plus point. You can also benefit from the internet en casa sin contrato, meaning internet at home without contract.
Anyway, back to ways to get internet without an ISP.
Options to Consider If You Can Drive
You have several options available to you if you are willing to leave your home to get internet access, including the following:
- Cafés
- Bookstores
- Restaurants
- Lobbies of hotels
- Hospital
- Gym
There is a certain amount of give and take involved in using public Wi-Fi. Taking up space at a coffee shop or fast food joint always comes with the expectation that you will purchase something. In addition, if you tip well and become good friends with your barista, no one will give you the stink eye when you pull out your surge protector at the end of the day.
Moreover, some places offering public Wi-Fi only allow members to use it. If you want to access the internet at the gym, you may need to have a gym membership or a library card. Before you make a solid plan, it is best to call ahead and inquire about their policies.
Be aware that public Wi-Fi is risky. You do not have control over security, so it is possible that it is not up to recommended standards, making it a popular target for hackers. You should add a VPN to your devices if you frequently use public Wi-Fi.
Options to Consider When You Cannot Drive/Leave the House
When you’re stuck without internet at home or can’t hop on a bus or car, things can get a bit tricky. It is still possible to consider some options, some of which require planning in advance and cannot be used on short notice.
- Using the Internet at a coffee shop or library within walking distance: This is pretty easy, so if there’s one nearby, feel free to go there and use the free Wi-Fi. This is not a convenience, but you’ll get some healthy exercise, too. If you live in an apartment, try the lobby, clubhouse, or leasing office of your complex. Check to see if there is free Wi-Fi available in the common areas of these places.
- A few cities offer free and open Wi-Fi within city limits, which is available to both locals and tourists. Depending on your location, you may also not receive a signal if you live outside of city limits.
- You can search for free wireless hot spots in several cities using Wiman’s database. Even if you do not need Wi-Fi, it is worth checking out if you’re in an urban area, but we still recommend using a VPN and security measures.
- If you’re at home and you don’t have free Wi-Fi anywhere nearby and you can’t tether, you’re left with the option of asking your neighbor to temporarily share their Wi-Fi with you. You should expect a little caution from your next door neighbor if you’ve never met them. If you explain your situation to them, they may be sympathetic and let you in if they are nice enough (and if the cookies you made to bribe them are tasty).
Tethering
Using the 4G/5G data on your smartphone, you can tether it to your computer, allowing you full-blown access to the internet. The reception of your phone is entirely up to you, so if your house does not have satisfactory internet service, tethering probably will not do much. You can go about it a few ways if it is an option.
In order to enable tethering for your phone and computer, you need to enable the Wi-Fi hotspot feature in your phone’s settings. When it comes to tethering, each carrier has its own fees, and some include it in their monthly plans.
You can also tether by connecting your phone to your computer via USB, but for a truly wireless experience (without Wi-Fi) you can also use Bluetooth to set up a tethering connection. With an iPhone, tethering is typically done through iTunes, but there are also tethering options in Android settings. Consider creating a “personal hot spot” or something similar.
Creating a mobile hot spot
If you want to use a dedicated mobile hotspot, you can get one from a provider of your choice. It works just like tethering, but it is specifically designed for mobile devices.
Android users can, for example, select Hotspot by swiping from the top of the screen. Be sure that the mobile hotspot features are turned on with your provider settings. If you are not sure, it is worth checking since this is becoming more common for smartphones and phone plans.
Conclusion
Yes, getting internet without an internet service provider is possible. We have come up with some of the most easiest ways in this article. Hope it helps. If you have any other suggestions/ways to get Wi-Fi, please drop the answers in the comments section below. We will get back to you pretty soon.
