My (S&B) Cell & Internet

[Gypsy108]

Hello dear people :heart:

I currently have (Xfinity) for my cell phone & (Century Link) for my Internet & (Youtube TV) for my cable tv
I know it sounds confusing.....long story....

What I want to know is :   

1.   Can I just keep things as they are when I hit the road or do I need a different plan ?

Thank you !

 

[mpruet]

I assume that your CenturyLink internet is a DSL connection, so NO, you can not bring CenturyLink on the road.  What you will probably want to do is to use cellular for your internet and then turn on hotspot on your cell phone. 

Eventually you might consider starLink, but that’s not available yet.

 

[Gypsy108]

Ok... I have XFINITY for my cell phone...so I just turn on “hot spot “  btw I have never used my hot spot .    So should I just add Internet service (Bundle with XFINITY) FOR MY LAPTOP ????

 

[mpruet]

You have to make sure that your cell phone deal supports turning your phone into a hotspot.  If it does, then all you need to do is to turn on the hotspot. Basically that makes your phone transmit a wireless signal. Then your laptop can log onto your phone.

 

[Gypsy108]

Ok thank you .... :heart:

 

[maki2]

You dont need xfinity, it would be based on a sticks and bricks subscription plan if you are traveling. From what you say you are trying to make a clean break from the person whose residence you have been sharing. So xfinity is not a good plan for you.

There are already many threads in this forum regarding affordable cell phone plans. However plans change over time do be sure you look. At the cvurrent information from those companies. Before you make any changes or decisions.

Also if you have existing contracts you need to see if you are locked into an existing contract you might have to pay off if you plan to switch companies. You have some important homework to do regarding your existing utility acounts before you leap into making changes to them. Because I was on a friends cell phone plan I had t o get his permission to c hange my phone over to my own account. This is one of those areas that might set off alarm bells if you have your name on shared utility accounts of any type. You have to get your name off them.

 

[Gypsy108]

I pay for my own cell phone service (Xfinity)  I have been a customer with them since 2004, in good standing.  I also bought & paid for my own iPhone.  But i will look into which service is the best for Nomads....

:heart:

 

[shadowmoss]

Visible is a good backup service that is unlimited everything for $25/mo. It runs in verizon service. It is good to have service through more than one cell company when you are mobile.

Most (not visible) cell plans that may be unlimited data on the phone will have limits when used as a hot spot. My T-Mobile phone is unlimited data on the phone, 15G when used as a hot spot. That is another reason to have more.than one setup.

 

[Gypsy108]

If I have more than one provider... does that mean I need a separate phone for each  ?

 

[shadowmoss]

Yes, so a cheap(er) phone for the backup phone/hotspot. At least that is what I do. You do really need to be aware of any difference in how much data is allowed for the hotspot usage with your plan(s). I started using my T-Mobe as a hotspot rather than the visible phone one month and ran through the 15G limit very quickly watching videos. Still had the visible plan to fall back on so I could still use my tablet. I use a hotspot to connect my tablet or my computer as I don't have a 'landline' dsl in my motorhome. I don't watch or own a tv but just from the amount of data I use watching videos on Facebook and YouTube I'd think that takes a lot.

Red Pocket is another service I've heard recommended, and they have plans on most of the different services. You do need a phone that works on that service for the plan to work.

 

[Gypsy108]

Well...my life style will have to change drastically.   I'm sick of internet & movies anyways...I think I'll be using the phone for more practical things.   If everyone is using the same provider in a given area does that mean service will be bad, because of all the usage ?   Would i be better off using a provider that is not as popular, so there is less competition for power ?   Or do all the providers have access to the SAME towers ?   Do any providers have their own towers or do they allshare the same towers ?  All this stuff bogles my mind.....

 

[maki2]

Gypsy you just dont yet comprehend the situation. You can only get an xfinity mobile cell phone service if you are subscribed to xfinity internet service at a sticks and bricks location. It is a package deal, no internet connection at home then you dont have the phone on its own.You can't keep your xfinity mobile phone service if you unsubscribe from the xfinity internet service at your current residential location. You need to discontinue Xfinity all together when you move out. You will then need to find a brand new cell phone sevice.

You don't seem to be understanding this issue. Get on the phone or go online and talk to an Xfinity representative about this issue.

 

[Gypsy108]

Maki2....I have Xfinity Internet on my phone.  
I have Century Link on the Laptop/TV connection.

The Xfinity service is in my name.(paperless)
The Century Link is in his name.(paper)

I'd like to just keep my Xfinity service when I leave because they do have good coverage in the Southwest, USA.
And I thought it would be less confusing to have to switch.  But i will if necessary.

But i will call them and tell them I will be traveling cross country... and how all that will work.. so i have service on my phone & laptop.



.

 

[highdesertranger]

It does appear xfinity has cell service and after a quick scan of their website they seem to be piggybacking on T-mobile/sprint.

Gypsy having the lessor companies only means the chances of not having service are greater. For the greatest coverage out west,

1. Verizon
2. ATT
3. T-mobile/sprint

Verizon is by far the best in the west but ATT and T-mobile/sprint have closed the gap in the last few years. Beware that the coverage maps are not very accurate in the mountains.

Yeah 15g doesn't last long if you're watching videos.

Highdesertranger

 

[Gypsy108]

Ok...but when everyone has the same service doesn't that slow your service down ?

 

[highdesertranger]

It depends on a lot of things,

how many people are we talking. out west everyone is usually very few people. Quartzsite is an exception not the rule. For instance where I am at in Oregon I can still stream videos even after I go over my 15g. but when I am in AZ forget it as soon as I hit 15g I am throttled back

I think you are assuming that you actually have a choice. In many places out west you only get one if any maybe two choices. In other words just because Verizon works there is no guaranty that ATT or T-mobile/sprint will work or vice versa.

You need to find out for sure who Xfinity piggybacks on. Xfinity is NOT a cell phone company they sell access to a cell companies towers. Just by using them you are on a second tier so you will get throttled before the first tier customer.

Highdesertranger

 

[Gypsy108]

Ok....i will switch to Verizon when i become a nomad...Thank you  :heart: Everyone !

 

[jacqueg]

Ok....i will switch to Verizon when i become a nomad...Thank you  :heart: Everyone !

For the last two years I lived in an apartment, I used my cell phone hot spot to access the internet, including Netflix/Hulu, etc. You don't have to wait. For me, it was noticeably cheaper than a cable package.

AND - I did NOT have to deal with a cable company!!!! There's a reason why cable companies are on so many peoples' "worst companies to deal with" list.

 

[highdesertranger]

Well just because I said all that doesn't mean you should jump on Verizon. A lot depends on where you plan on being. I would wait and see how your Xfinity works. You could always add Verizon or Visible later.

Do you like Xfinity?
Is the plan reasonably priced?
Who's towers do they piggyback on?

One big plus for Verizon is they have stores everywhere. I have gone to their stores in Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and California. They have always been very helpful in resolving any issue. I hope I didn't jinx myself, LOL.

Highdesertranger

 

[Gypsy108]

I stuck with Xfinity (CABLE) all these years because I don't like the satellite type of service other companies have BECAUSE WHEN IT RAINS OR SNOWS YOUR SERVICE GOES OUT WHEN YOU'RE WATCHING TV.  Yes Xfinity is F$$$$$$ expensive and I hated them for that....but I always had service when the weather was bad !

I'm planning on going to Arizona (eventually) to hang out with you guys...if I get an apartment it will be in Nevada.  But I am on a waiting list ...2-3 years long...