Best Mobile Internet Method?

[Ballenxj]

This has probably been asked before, but I'm not seeing it. I would like to see everybody's thoughts on this in one thread.
Which is the best provider?
The device that works best for you, including range?
Is it just better to use wifi at McDonalds or Burger King?

 

[ArtW]

That I think will vary from person to person, I currently have ATT cell service, and use my phone for a modem for my PC, but I live in a Travel trailer, I don't think a PC in a van would be a great idea, space wise, and most here seem to prefer Verizon

 

[rvpopeye]

Verizon seems to be the generally accepted best coverage , AT+T close runner up.

 

[jimindenver]

It depends on where you plan on being. Verizon has the best coverage and the highest prices with AT&T coming in second. Sprint and T-Mobile can be less expensive if you are within their coverage but that's usually nearer big cities.

 

[Almost There]

For the most extensive coverage of outlying areas, Verizon has everyone beat hands down! I'm sitting in a primitive campsite at a national recreational  site in western KY with 2 bars of 4G.

If you're staying in mostly urban areas then any of the big 4 will likely work.

As to just using public wifi whether it's McD or the library, that again depends on where you plan on staying...if you're in an urban area there's probably free wi-fi on every corner. Out boondocking, well then you end up having to travel to get on line. Figure in the cost of gas to get to 'free' wi-fi and the cost of buying something if you're at Starbucks. The price of data service comes in a lot cheaper in that case. And there's no beating the convenience factor.

 

[akrvbob]

I use and recommend Verizon but I also have both my smartphone as a hotspot and a MIFI jetpack as a hotspot. I need redundancy so I can always get on line.

It works extremely well!

 

[highdesertranger]

anything works in large cities. in the sticks Verizon rules but nothing is 100%. highdesertranger

 

[Ballenxj]

OK, so I've already got a Verizon plan that is pay as you go, and includes 2 gig of internet, how many gig do you guys recommend for a lot of web surfing?
Next question is how difficult is it to set up a laptop on the phones hot spot? The phone is a Motorola Razor Turbo.
I have tried without any luck. I got the hot spot activated, the laptop see's it, but it asks for a mac address? That's where it loses me.
I'm trying to transition from wifi cable to the phones wifi hot spot.
And thanks for the replies.

 

[jimindenver]

2 gig isn't a lot but it depends on what a lot of web surfing means. There are compression programs that can reduce what you use like Opera, it cuts the resolution on pictures and such. They can help but it will be a time will tell until you start using it.

All of my hotspots show up as wifi and only ask for a password.

 

[wagoneer]

I take the RTR as personal time off line and only use the Phone for emergencies and give my number to only "need to know" people. I use Verizon as well as the Hotspot, I may go to Micky-D for oatmeal wifi and water

 

[B and C]

Cheap unlimited Verizon 3g access (using a hotspot) has been discussed here:  https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Unlimited-Verizon-3G-5-a-month?highlight=unlimited+3g

It is fast enough for web surfing and watching some videos (not at high resolution with some buffering at times) if the towers are not overloaded which they will be at the RTR.  Web surfing will be slow there after dark when everybody jumps on the web.  :dodgy:

 

[LeeRevell]

OK, so I've already got a Verizon plan that is pay as you go, and includes 2 gig of internet, how many gig do you guys recommend for a lot of web surfing?
Next question is how difficult is it to set up a laptop on the phones hot spot? The phone is a Motorola Razor Turbo.
I have tried without any luck. I got the hot spot activated, the laptop see's it, but it asks for a mac address? That's where it loses me.
I'm trying to transition from wifi cable to the phones wifi hot spot.
And thanks for the replies.

Having similar trouble here. I managed to link my laptop to my old SIII phone's hotspot, but not to the new S7. The laptop sees it, I type in the password the phone says to use, but the laptop says it's not valid. Bummer.

 

[Ballenxj]

Having similar trouble here.  I managed to link my laptop to my old SIII phone's hotspot, but not to the new S7.  The laptop sees it, I type in the password the phone says to use, but the laptop says it's not valid.  Bummer.

Must be a conspiracy.

 

[IGBT]

We have been using Cricket at $55 a month on AT&T.  Burning through about 40GB a month and loving it.  When/If they shut us off, I will have to find some other provider.

 

[wagoneer]

Being a "no need to connect" kinda guy cherish the down time this iPhone six plus is a big PIA. why i got it just don't know. I can't even use 1GB a month.

 

[eDJ_]

I was interested in Cricket at one time.  Back in June I saw this article and began to wonder.  I use a computer quite a lot and the phone not so much.  So it would seem I'm more in need of a mobile hot spot.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/15/1...ounter-t-mobile-is-cricket-wireless-unlimited

Who would have the best plan using a simple driod smartphone?  Mine is an LG phone like so.