We finally did as many have done before us. Cut the landline telephone; ported the landline number we've had since '85 to Karen's new smartphone. I get to keep the old dumbphone. ;) The phone company made a deal on the DSL for internet only. Cost is a little more a month in total but we accept that. All this = internet ability at the cabin; but only within reason as the data plan is not large.
4 bars as of this year where as last year there were 0 or 1. Our plan does not allow tethering, but I see that Straight Talk which taps into the AT&T towers, is offering several plans that allow it: http://www.straighttalk.com/wps/portal/home/shop/serviceplans/hotspotserviceplans.
I'm not sure if phone service is in addition to. Probably.
I'm sure AT&T and Verizon offer similar at a higher price. T-Mobile has provide unreliable where we are.
As far as I have been able to tell the only thing that works reliably in our corner of the Jemez is Verizon.
I believe, StraightTalk uses a mix of providers depending on where you are. I may try them some day.