The Sprint telecommunications company sells a wireless service PC Card (plugs into laptops, and into desktop PCs with a special interface card) which gives you nationwide Internet access inside Sprint's coverage area at about double dial-up speed (about 128Kbps, compared to DSL at 384Kbps-512Kbps or cable at 5Mbps). Last time I checked this service was $50 a month, unlimited Internet access. Other wireless phone providers may offer something similar. Note that $50 a month for 128Kbps is very expensive for that bandwidth speed of Internet. That kind of portable Internet is mostly for folks who really do need portable Internet, like insurance agents handling claims on-site. If you can get a telephone line for dialup, DSL access, cable access, or (if nothing else) satellite service, you will be paying a lot less for a lot more bandwidth. If you have a neighbor with a fast broadband connection, such as DSL or cable, talk to him or her about sharing the cost for their connection, then split the cost of a wireless router so that s/he can share the physical connection in the house next door with your wireless card in your home desktop PC. Your Internet will be a lot faster, and chances are his Internet connection will cost at most $50 a month, making your portion $25 a month.

To begin with, you don't necessarily need phone service to get DSL. You used to need it, but over the past several years, that has gone away. I have Verizon with dry loop DSL, no land line. You would have to call the phone company and see if dry loop (aka naked DSL) is available, but it often is. Mine cost is $32/month, although I do have 1 year contract. I don't know that a converter box will help. None that I've seen will allow for internet access, but I could be wrong. That will depend on the service provider. But if you only have basic TV from an antenna and a converter box, then you more than likely will not be able to get internet. I can't say 100% because in the past when I have said "no way", I come across someone who did something nobody thought was possible. I just asked a coworker if he knew of any rabbit ears or TV antenna wireless internet and he said no too. Most phone companies have a USB wireless for your desktop (or laptop), BUT check ALL of the prices. They can be VERY expensive. When I used to have T-Mobile, the wireless card was incredibly expensive, $350, the monthly access bill was around $50. Sprint also has a card, but I don't know any of the costs. Cricket is advertising a wireless USB deal too. They say $40/month. Here is what they don't say: $25 activation (not bad), BUT the device is $180 before discounts, and online after all the discounts, if you can get them, it still costs $60. Also, with ALL wireless, NOTHING is guaranteed. All those excellent transmission rates are under best circumstances, which you rarely get. Temperature, weather, walls, buildings, all kinds of things will obstruct the transmission and either kill it or really slow things down. So my advice is first check on dry loop DSL, that does not require a phone, mine doesn't. Wireless is an option, but check into EVERY cost. Just because the service might only be $40 a month, there are going to be other costs involved, and wireless speed for long distance transmission is not that great. Finally, if your neighbor has cable or DSL, see if you can split the bill, and with a switch or router ($40-$60 for a fair cheap unit), you can share it.