Need Laptop Internet Access On Road & Home

[CKT OK]

I've found myself suddenly needing a way to have internet access for my laptop on the road AND at home.  My cell phone is an ancient flip-phone with StraightTalk's month-to-month, unlimited Talk/Text for about $30 monthly. I've never even paid attention to how much data is included in this plan, because it's virtually impossible for me to use this phone for accessing the internet. (Maybe not difficult for others, but just doesn't work for me.) Therefore, I only access the internet at home with my laptop.

For home internet service, I've been using the local small-town provider, because I had originally also needed a landline phone to work from home. I no longer need the landline, but I've had to keep the phone service in order to have the internet service (bundle only.) The monthly charge is around $89 for both services combined.

Here's the deal... I've just discovered that I'll be able to start some traveling within the next couple of weeks, and I have a very small window of time to acquire internet service that I can use on-the-road. It's possible that I may sometimes be in obscure locations away from towns/cities, so I'd like to have a service that would likely be able to find a signal in such settings. In addition, I'd use the internet service at home.

Well.... my home internet bill would need to be paid within 3 days from this posting, if I wanted to continue that service. It's a no-brainer for me that I DO NOT want this limited-location, podunk internet service. However, I need to have a way to continue working online from home without interruption right now, and I have no idea which carrier or what devices I'd need to be able to move forward with acquiring mobile internet for my laptop ASAP.

Since I'm not made of money, I'm looking for a quick solution that will work, and which I can incorporate immediately, at a minimal cost. 

My dream would be to have something up-and-running ASAP, so that I can kiss this local carrier goodbye, without having to increase their coffers by $89. 

I've read so much in this forum, but it's all swirling around in my head, without an anchoring point. Can someone please lay out a simple plan for me, fairly quickly, that will get me the internet usage I need for home and on-the-road (without committing to any long-term contracts.) I am online quite a bit, but I'm not streaming lots of movies, etc. Mostly researching and entering data.

Thank you a thousand times, in advance, for your help!

 

[moorejames]

I work from my RV (I own a specialty web design and marketing company). On average, I use right around 1 GB of data a month. (mostly work, checking forums, etc. The occasional youtube video at low res). 

I bought a Verizon Jetpack AC791L 4GLTE  from a Verizon store with a data plan. I chose that model because it has built in jacks to accept an antennae. 

https://www.verizonwireless.com/internet-devices/verizon-jetpack-4g-lte-mobile-hotspot-ac791l/


I also bought this antennae, which usually adds 1 or 2 bars to my reception. 

https://www.amazon.com/Verizon-Jetpack-Hotspot-external-magnetic/dp/B015ATNY8U


Which required buying this adapter/pigtail

https://www.amazon.com/Verizon-Jetpack-Hotspot-NETGEAR-connector/dp/B015ATZS2A/


I initially started with a 20GB plan, but had to increase it to 30GB a month. 

So far, I've mostly had at least 3 bars of 4GLTE service, which has been plenty fast enough for work. 

The data plan runs me about $140 a month, but I consider it a cost of doing business, and it's my only source of internet. I do try to save doing updates on the devices until I"m somewhere with a free wifi connection and some time to kill. An ios update with 30 app updates on two devices can suck up an incredible amount of bandwidth. 

The hotspot creates a wireless network inside the RV, so all my devices connect to it (laptop, phone, iPad). The antennae has a magnetic mount, so you can mount it outside on the rig if need be. I keep mine in the overhead area (Class C) and have it attached to a metal plate inside. 

I'm sure there's cheaper solutions, but this is what I came up with when I went full-time 15 months ago.

 

[rvwandering]

Our 20 GB plan with AT&T covers our phone and hot spot for about $140.00 a month. There are much cheaper plans (the details are laid out in jimindenver's posts) but they are complicated and take some time to set up. Your best bet for a fast solution is to go both Verizon and AT&T stores and explain what you want and why. Maybe you can get a prepaid plan for a phone that doubles as a hot spot and avoid the long term contract.

 

[DLTooley]

The TracFone Smartphone option is $23.75 for two months, on auto-refill. It comes with a small amount of data. additional is $10 per GB which works well for my highly variable mobile use. I've been reading the same threads on more robust options. Let us know what you sort out!

 

[jimindenver]

The unlimited Verizon 3G hotspots are 5 dollars a month. Freedompop has very limited amounts of data but it is free. There are a variety on unlimited deals on all the carriers, it just depends on how and where you need signal and budget. The important thing is to pay attention to any limits on hotspots, speeds, etc before you sign up.

 

[Almost There]

Both my phones (Cdn & US) have 'molbile hotspots' on them.

Here in the US I use Verizon 'prepaid' plan which gives me the hotspot, 10 G of data a month and unlimited call/text North American wide for $60.00 a month.

Beware, they have a new 'unlimited' data plan but it does NOT allow the use of the hotspot. I found out about that one the hard way....

I like Verizon because it gives me the widest range of coverage.

I have a Wilson signal booster on the way so that I can have faster and more reliable connections where the signal is poor!

 

[John61CT]

Yes the cheaper plans and MVNOs like Tracfone try to forbid hotspotting, if you're an Android techie or willing to become one there are workarounds.

There are also direct to PC modems if you just need the one device connected.

$10 per GB is great for low usage. Don't believe "unlimited" if you're watching or DLing tons of video all month, they all have caps/throttling.

Verizon has the best geographic coverage, ATT is close, T-Mobile playing catchup, Sprint is meh outside urban areas.

 

[CKT OK]

So....if I buy one of those USB wireless hotspot devices from FreedomPop, am I understanding correctly that I'd have a connection to Sprint's network, and that I'd be automatically enrolled in their monthly plan for a fee (then can downgrade to a lower amount of usage which will do away with the monthly charge?) Looks like FreedomPop uses Sprint's network, right?

I'm like a duck out of water where all of this is concerned. Please don't hold that against me, LOL.

I'd like to go with Verizon's coverage area, but I don't fully understand how to get "Verizon's unlimited 3G hotspot for $5 a month." Do I have to buy some sort of device from them first that would plug into my laptop?
(Remember... I only have an old flip-phone, so I can't be using it for any sort of connector to the internet.)

 

[RVTravel]

Freedompop has a history of shenanigans with their billing..just so you know what you are getting into. JiminDenver seems to not have problems with their billing though.

 

[rvpopeye]

For cheap internet everywhere the only way to go is a mobile hotspot .
I was going to direct you to Jim in Denver but he already posted so contact him for the good news !

 

[John61CT]

Those supercheap deals do require watching your dates, you can't just set and forget, and in most cases you can't get support from the company, that $5 thing is greymarket.

Normal pricing ($60-100+ / mo) is faster, more reliable and *lots* easier.

Best info for cellphone data stuff (besides Jim is HowardForums.

 

[rvpopeye]

Well , if we have to go there .
I have a pay as you go Hotspot
Straighttalk
Buy only what you need.
$15=1 GB
$25=2 GB
$40=4 GB (My usual purchase)
$50=5 GB
Good for 60 days.
You can set up auto pay. so.......
Get it all at Wallyworld $50 for a 4g lte hotspot and be online as you asked about.
And stock up on cards as no rollover.

$20 a month. Way cheaper than going with Verizon Service

 

[John61CT]

Tracfone at $10/GB can get Verizon service with unlimited rollover, just have to figure out the hotspotting, maybe a rooted Nexus or something.

 

[CKT OK]

 G​

Okay, here's an update.
I purchased a Verizon hotspot through GLS Electronics, that only uses 3G. It's the one that uses the $5 data card. Everything was going fine until I had to move my residence about 80 miles north. Now, I'm in the southernmost part of Kansas, and my hotspot absolutely refuses to maintain a signal. My laptop is useless  to me here.

 

[jimindenver]

Another person I know with the Verizon 3G hotspot is having the same issues. I believe that Verizon roams there and the hotspot does not.

 

[RVTravel]

CKT OK would either have to look into another hotspot or service (tethering) OR invest in some of Jim's additional equipment to possibly get a signal with the verizon hotspot? Are there settings (reset coverage) that could improve the signal?

It would be interesting to know if a person could look at Verizon's prepaid map to tell before buying the 3G hotspot, whether it should work.

 

[hugemoth]

I bought a refurbished hotspot (free) off the Straight Talk website along with a 4gig 60day card for $40. Works on the Verizon network. So $40 every 2 months is the total cost. Works well for me.

 

[Riverman]

I have a Straight Talk hotspot on Verizon towers also. $40 every other month is a deal.

Every Walmart has the data refill cards, or get them on eBay.

I am well pleased with the plan.

 

[tripper]

I have Boost Mobile (which is Sprint). Unlimited data/phone/txt and also 8 gb of tethering a month for $45. Only downside, it is Sprint which is really fast but not in all locations. I have a $20 adapter that lets me output the screen to HDMI (like my TV) so I can stream YouTube, Netflix and Amazon movies unlimited as the adapter counts as the phone use not tethering.

 

[jimindenver]

I am looking at the cell tower maps and could almost say I could guess the area that you are in. It would be easier however if you could give me at least the general area. I can say that Kansas actually has a ton of Verizon towers except a few spots on the southern boarder where other companies cover the area with their towers.

You might try doing a PRL update in the hotspot settings. Do not do a reset.

Buying a different Verizon plan on another prepaid carrier is not going to do you any good unless they specifically say the service roams. Generally you have to have a post paid account with a carrier to get roaming. So my Freedompop AT&T hotspot will not get service where my Post paid AT&T Mobley will. The one exception that I have is my PC4P Sprint hotspot which is not directly through Sprint but does roam.

So what are your options? The AT&T ipad account with hotspot for $149 that I have a thread on will roam if needed. It is unlimited for $29.99 a month and is directly through AT&T. The PC's for people unlimited Sprint hotspot also roams if your income is $24,000 or less and $120 a year of service.

I can not guaranty any service will work everywhere you go, it is the reason I have so many. My Verizon 3G hotspot would not work less than 10 miles outside of Parker where it worked great.