Best on the road internet these days?

There's a new federal rule that should soon help people shop for Internet service. Companies now have to give clear, standardized information about fees and services -- which should make it easier for us to compare offers while shopping and avoid rude surprises later. It goes into effect today for the larger companies and by October for all of them.

CNN article here:
https://lite.cnn.com/2024/04/10/tech/fcc-mandatory-nutrition-labels-internet-providers/index.html
FCC web page here:
https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandlabels

Morgana said:

There's a new federal rule that should soon help people shop for Internet service. Companies now have to give clear, standardized information about fees and services -- which should make it easier for us to compare offers while shopping and avoid rude surprises later. It goes into effect today for the larger companies and by October for all of them.

CNN article here:
https://lite.cnn.com/2024/04/10/tech/fcc-mandatory-nutrition-labels-internet-providers/index.html
FCC web page here:
https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandlabels

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There is a change coming as soon as this Month that was stated in that CNN article that may affect some forum members. It is not about the new labeling requirements, it is about the low income supplement program that helps people afford an internet service. See the image below that I captured from that linked article. More investigation will be needed to see if an extension of that funding gets approved this month.

becida said:

We're getting back on the road and the hotspot I used to use is no longer supported, what are the best internet deals around today?
I'm looking for as close to unlimited as I can get.
Thanks!

Rob

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Personally, I was deterred from using Hughesnet and Starlink due to their expensive plans and some negative reviews but i've never experienced any issues with Homefi. I live in a rural area and have used both their router and portable hotspot and both have been great options. For the price I'm able to connect from my rural property and take it with my to travel in the RV anywhere I've been in the US. Thankfully it didn't have the same upfront costs as Starlink either. For me it's been the best option so far.

MHarrisonWheels317 said:

Personally, I was deterred from using Hughesnet and Starlink due to their expensive plans and some negative reviews but i've never experienced any issues with Homefi. I live in a rural area and have used both their router and portable hotspot and both have been great options. For the price I'm able to connect from my rural property and take it with my to travel in the RV anywhere I've been in the US. Thankfully it didn't have the same upfront costs as Starlink either. For me it's been the best option so far.

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What network do they use? Costs and data amounts?

I did look it up just today,
https://homefi.info/products/titan-pro-homefi-router
200 & 300 GB plans, $80 & $90. I saw no mention of what network it runs off of.

becida said:

I did look it up just today,
https://homefi.info/products/titan-pro-homefi-router
200 & 300 GB plans, $80 & $90. I saw no mention of what network it runs off of.

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Did a little light research on it. They claim to use Verizon, att, and T-Mobile towers using an esim to toggle between them. How it's determined which towers you'll be using at a given time I don't know. They are a bit light on technical information.

Apparently customer service is email based, along with chat that doesn't always work. Some have mentioned it's almost impossible to cancel payments even after service is cancelled, with cards needing to be canceled and replaced.

Definitely do your research. It might or might not be a great deal.

If you are a user of this service please help fill in the blanks.

"Wittels McInturff Palikovic is investigating numerous complaints regarding HomeFi’s potentially illegal practice of luring customers into paid subscriptions by deceptively advertising “WIFI ANYWHERE” that “Works nationwide!” Consumers complain that HomeFi’s service does not work in remote locations—the precise service it advertises—and that it is difficult or impossible to cancel their automatically renewing subscriptions."

HomeFi's BBB rating is F.... https://www.bbb.org/us/ny/new-york/profile/telecommunications/homefi-0121-87173115

I wouldn't worry though... this is obviously witchhunt designs to slander a good and honest company that is looking out for your right to affordable internet anywhere! Vote with your $$$! Make the internet great again!

I use a :Cudy 4G LTE Cat 12 WiFi Router Modem AC1200 Dual SIM Cellular Built-in VPN which cost me $200 and added a visible card to it. Then, I boosted it with twin : High Gain 12dBi Outdoor Dual SMA Antenna 3G 4G LTE Router Signal Booster antennaes @ $20/each. This setup gets me decent internet around general suburbia and as much as 30MBPS near unloaded towers even while streaming my 4 camera DVR. Having the sim in a router instead of a phone lifts the limit. The router and DVR (and cameras) are 12v DC so wire right into a dedicated circuit.

thegoodtom1 said:

I use a :Cudy 4G LTE Cat 12 WiFi Router Modem AC1200 Dual SIM Cellular Built-in VPN which cost me $200 and added a visible card to it. Then, I boosted it with twin : High Gain 12dBi Outdoor Dual SMA Antenna 3G 4G LTE Router Signal Booster antennaes @ $20/each. This setup gets me decent internet around general suburbia and as much as 30MBPS near unloaded towers even while streaming my 4 camera DVR. Having the sim in a router instead of a phone lifts the limit. The router and DVR (and cameras) are 12v DC so wire right into a dedicated circuit.

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For visible, the restriction in hotspot connections is actually phone/device based. I do like the standalone SIM routers, as they are a better way to connect and can be much more reliable and safe.

The are some 5g/LTE cell routers out there that might be of benefit to those that have access to 5g towers.

Happy Camper said:

For visible, the restriction in hotspot connections is actually phone/device based. I do like the standalone SIM routers, as they are a better way to connect and can be much more reliable and safe.

The are some 5g/LTE cell routers out there that might be of benefit to those that have access to 5g towers.

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There are considerations... First, I don't need the additional speed as what I have works fine. Second, 5G is the new flagship, and therefore monitored heavily. Third, this unit allows DVR streaming and 2 laptops to connect simultaneously ( not just the 1 device) which is why I went with this setup. It also receives text messages should Visible send an urgent message ( I don't use the phone # at all). And finally, it is budget friendly, @ $390 + $25/month (router, antennas, throw away phone for sim).

I see that the OP asking about on-the-road internet has not logged in for a couple of weeks, but for anyone else that can hold on for awhile, SpaceX has announced a new Starlink Mini. This is a small laptop sized unit that can run on 12v directly.

It will eventually be available at Walmart and Home Depot (plus other retailers) for around $300 and the monthly fee is reported (at this time) to be about $30...These prices can change as we all know.

The speeds attained are in the 100 mb/s range, not as fast as the full size Starlink, but the service is a lot cheaper.

Early reports place availability dates for the $300 unit sometime in July or August, although some current owners have received an early invitation to buy the unit at the $599 introductory price.

Interesting times we live in.

Starlink Mini sneak peak:

Amazon says they will begin selling their low orbit “Kuiper” satellite antenna systems in 2025 in both a mini size and a larger size. They have an FCC deadline agreement that requires them to get it finished in development and into the public sales marketplace by a set deadline date in 2025. Meaning this will be happening next year. Amazons says they have the working product prototypes finished and some satellites already in orbit and tested. But they still need to get more satellites launched before they make it available for purchase. The headquarters for that work is already up and running in Redmond, WA in a very large building. So by the end of 2025 Starlink will have a stronger competitor for you to chose from. This is not just a rival contender product startup company but a serious contender that can quickly dominate Starlink’s product dominated niche market from a company that already has the warehouses, distribution, product delivery, the sales force and financial systems in place, that are already fully staffed and operational. That is a really huge advantage over Starlink.

And ironically, Amazon has hired SpaceX (Starlink parent company) to launch many of the Amazon Kuiper satelites.

Interesting times we live in.

tx2sturgis said:

And ironically, Amazon has hired SpaceX (Starlink parent company) to launch many of the Amazon Kuiper satelites.

Interesting times we live in.

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Yeah blue origin still needs a rocket that can do something. They are taking the super cautious extra slow falling behind way of doing things.

If they just let a few things blow up and gather data they could be so much further ahead in their progress.

Anyone else starting to wonder how many things we can stuff into low earth orbits?

jacqueg said:

Anyone else starting to wonder how many things we can stuff into low earth orbits?

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This is my best answer to your question. At least the first line or so lol.

Low earth orbit: The landfill of the future.

tx2sturgis said:

Low earth orbit: The landfill of the future.

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That might be the best case scenario.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/satellites-polluting-atmosphere-1.7239899

Happy Camper said:

This is my best answer to your question. At least the first line or so lol.

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There is little doubt that the entirety of that song is the perfect theme song for nomadic life and attitude!