I Need Some Advice On T.V. Service In My Van

[Jim D]

I have "Boost Mobile" for my cell service. They gave me 2gb and I don't know how much T.V. streaming I get for that because I'm in a home for the time being with all the amenities for now.

I was watching some videos on how to get T.V. channels in my van and the guy stated to stream T.V. programs from my phone I would use up "1 GB" of data an hour. Is this true? Of course I was already planning on going to unlimited data streaming but, "WOW", I didn't know T.V. shows would eat up that much data. I also read that even if you have unlimited data the phone companies will throttle back your data speeds if there's alot of activity on their network.

So Boost Mobile will give me 35 GB a month for $60.00 then reduce my data speeds for the remainder of the month when I exceed the 35 GB. How do I get unlimited Data without breaking my bank?

T-Mobile has an unlimited data plan for $140 a month. Puretalk has unlimited data for $65.00 with a 25 GB hotspot whatever that means. I'm sure T-Mobile has coverage everywhere just about and Puretalk states they have nationwide coverage. I hear alot of van dwellers use ATT and Verizon but some of these lower cost phone companies piggyback on the ATT and Verizon networks. I'm still looking at the plans that are out there.

I'd really like to stream "Sling", "You Tube T.V" or another T.V. streaming service directly to my tablet or T.V. without having to go through a phone company.

OK, I just want to know what's the best way to get my favorite T.V. channels in my van without breaking my bank. Sitting outside and watching the desert shrubs grow is fine but watching my favorite shows is somewhat better.

This is another area I need to learn about and I'm watching videos and talking to the members in this forum.

Thanks!

 

[Camper]

I use about 1 GB per hour streaming tv.

 

[bullfrog]

Many join health clubs that have a lounge with TV and internet. Several also use local libraries. It will cost you depending on where you park and internet availability. I live outside and enjoy outdoor activities of which there a many besides “watching plants grow” but while indoors reading using a kindle or watching YouTube videos when internet is available depending again on where I park. I sometimes binge watch a TV series when staying in town once or twice a year but streaming 24/7 is going to be costly.

 

[maki2]

Subscribe to satellite TV service. Get a dish. Of course that requires more power but not a lot more money.

Or just kick your TV habit and take up staring into campfires or looking for alien spacecraft among the stars in the evenings.

Or go to places with Wi-Fi and electrical plug ins and download a weeks worth of shows onto a portable terabyte hard drive. Delete and repeat weekly.

Nomad living is never going to support your TV viewing at the same cost and level it is at a sticks and bricks home. You have to stream at much lower resolution than you are used to in order to see more shows. Unless you are wealthy you have to be willing to compromise quality and quantity. .

 

[Jim D]

I guess if this government program is around in 3 years and since it has been passed into law I can get unlimited data for free. I'm on Medicaid as I've mentioned in several posts. The only thing is your Medicaid is no good outside the state your in.

I'm still looking. Satelite T.V. is another way but you have to have a dish on top of your van?

https://qlinkwireless.com/signup/m-...MI4dWXrv-r-wIVWvgoBR1H1wFLEAEYASAAEgKX8vD_BwE

 

[Jim D]

Subscribe to satellite TV service. Get a dish. Of course that requires more power but not a lot more money.

Or just kick your TV habit and take up staring into campfires or looking for alien spacecraft among the stars in the evenings.

Or go to places with Wi-Fi and electrical plug ins and download a weeks worth of shows onto a portable terabyte hard drive. Delete and repeat weekly.

Nomad living is never going to support your TV viewing at the same cost and level it is at a sticks and bricks home. You have to stream at much lower resolution than you are used to in order to see more shows. Unless you are wealthy you have to be willing to compromise quality and quantity. .

I'm getting to know Van Life well now. NO, I'm not wealthy. I'm still going to try to hammer out this problem to see if I can find a hidden gem like that government data giveaway program. I don't really want to go on that government program but in 3 years if it's the only game in town I might do it.

 

[Jim D]

I can always put an antenna on top of my van and watch the analog t.v. junk.

 

[Tony's Dream]

When I travel I watch TV on my phone and I have unlimited data. As long as I get a good signal, I don't notice any problems. We have 5 phones on our service plan, so splitting my bill 5 ways....I pay around $50 a month. With my spectrum app, I am able to watch the same programs as if I were at home. I can also watch youtube and Amazon Prime videos.

 

[Jim D]

When I travel I watch TV on my phone and I have unlimited data. As long as I get a good signal, I don't notice any problems. We have 5 phones on our service plan, so splitting my bill 5 ways....I pay around $50 a month. With my spectrum app, I am able to watch the same programs as if I were at home. I can also watch youtube and Amazon Prime videos.

Cool $50 a month with unlimited data sounds about my speed. The site says no data caps which is a big plus so that means no throttle down. I have to find out more info on this like coverage area but just the face of it looks great.

Thanks Tony's Dream!

 

[Jim D]

When I travel I watch TV on my phone and I have unlimited data. As long as I get a good signal, I don't notice any problems. We have 5 phones on our service plan, so splitting my bill 5 ways....I pay around $50 a month. With my spectrum app, I am able to watch the same programs as if I were at home. I can also watch youtube and Amazon Prime videos.

I'm good with Spectrum. There's going to be at least 4G where I will be hanging out in my van. Spectrum is owned by Charter Communications and I've run into that company a few times.

Tony, I think you should get a commission from Spectrum for all the people from this forum migrating to them

Thanks Again Tony's Dream, You just solved one of our biggest problems especially mine.

 

[Tony's Dream]

Thanks Jim! I will gladly accept a commission from them.

 

[Jim D]

I'm so damn happy that you came on this thread and shared that info. I would buy you a beer if you were in this area. I just had a touch of wine

 

[abnorm]

Cool $50 a month with unlimited data sounds about my speed.

Is that what Tony said ?..............I thought he said :

We have 5 phones on our service plan, so splitting my bill 5 ways....I pay around $50 a month.

 

[Jim D]

Is that what Tony said ?..............I thought he said :

Of course I thought they were splitting a $250 bill but since I was researching companies all day I decided to go check out Spectrum and it's only $50 a month for unlimited data with no caps a phone I was sold. Check it out yourself if your a van dweller and like to watch T.V..

https://official.spectrum.com/lfo-s...p.ds&msclkid=b4d9fab7c70d14b0240099c6af230f74

 

[Solarcoast]

That does seem like a great deal, although data caps and throttling are different. In other words, even with no data caps they could still throttle you.

 

[Jim D]

Is that what Tony said ?..............I thought he said :

Watch out and read the fine print. They tell you on the front page there's no data caps but after 20 to 30 GB's they do cap your speeds. I'd really look into this deal better. It may be a rotting fish out of water?

 

[Jim D]

That does seem like a great deal, although data caps and throttling are different. In other words, even with no data caps they could still throttle you.

When you reach you data cap they throttle your speed. When you get throttled you will pay more to extend your data cap to another level. That's how they rip you off.

 

[Jim D]

P.S. Spectrum charges $14 for each GB after you reach you data limit and this is what they want you to pay for.

I thought this was the deal of the century but it may be just a broomstick up your behind.

 

[Jim D]

Yeah, I'm still looking. I have two GB's on my cell phone so I think I will watch movies on it until my data limit is reached to see how bad the throttling gets.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cel...ell-phone-plan-deals-for-you-and-your-family/

 

[Jim D]

Well, I'm learning fast that it isn't power usage that completely stops a person from watching T.V. out on the road. It's the internet and phone companies that screw a person over.

I just want to know how bad it is when an Unlimited phone plan slows down the internet on you? No T.V. except for the analog junk stations.

At least now Cox Communications is getting into the dance. The problem with Cox is you have to buy one of their phones. They state that soon they will allow you to bring your own phone. Cox should put some pressure on other mobile phone companies in this area to stop throttling internet speeds. The fact that internet speeds are just slowed down and not cut off is major improvement.

https://www.confused.com/mobile-phones/guides/what-does-a-gb-get-you-mobile-internet-data