Unlimited data???

[KalaniStorm]

Okay so here's the big question of the day...how do you live in your van and get unlimited data for the internet? I have been searching high and low on this and am still coming up without a solution. We do have Verizon, a smartphone (not 4g) and a mifi (the new one with 10gb). We work from the internet and are learning quickly that 10 gb is just not enough, we need unlimited. Verizon is just getting rid of all of their unlimited plans and even the people that are grandfathered in are getting cut off (told to us by Verizon workers). We have looked into getting a satellite dish for the van, we have looked into Metro PCS phone/hotspots, Virgin Mobile hot spots and other things...we are just not finding anything worth getting or paying for. We don't want to have 4 different phone devices, 2 hotspots, a satellite, etc....a little overboard I know, but that's how we feel. Does anyone out there have any advice, suggestions or ideas we are not thinking of. We are even looking into renting a hotel room at an Extended stay hotel for a couple of months to get some work done, but our budget is crying over that idea. We would have to find a room for about 24.99 a night and that would take up pretty much our entire monthly budget, leaving about 10 dollars a month for food, gas and whatever else. Any help or anything would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

 

[wandering mike]

Here is a plan that is asserted on their website to be unlimited at <a href="http://www.millenicom.com/page/plans#unlimited_plan">Millenicom</a>. &nbsp;$70/month. &nbsp;Pay as you go. &nbsp;Buy the modem kind of deal. &nbsp; Don't know what kind of throttling they do for heavy users. &nbsp;I know from other sites that some of their plans are on Sprint towers and some on Verizon. &nbsp;I plan on moving in a few weeks from the Verizon 5 GB plan to the Millenicom 20 GB plan for $60 a month. &nbsp;Pretty sure it is still Verizon towers.

 

[KalaniStorm]

Okay for anyone looking into this for themselves... while I was researching this, the hubs was also doing his own footwork and found something called a VPS, Virtual Private Server. It's only about $30 a month and it's unlimited data. I guess what it does is, it runs all of your major functions, downloads, streaming, etc. from a different server and frees up our data for the smaller things like surfing and what not. There's probably a better explanation but that's my simple one! Hopefully it works out for us and maybe we can even lessen our data plan on our mifi! Thank you for your help&nbsp;

 

[Nemo]

I use the Millincom 20g plan, and at least for me it is coming off verizon towers.. nothing else out here &lt;grin&gt;<br /><br /><br />

Here is a plan that is asserted on their website to be unlimited at <a href="http://www.millenicom.com/page/plans#unlimited_plan">Millenicom</a>. &nbsp;$70/month. &nbsp;Pay as you go. &nbsp;Buy the modem kind of deal. &nbsp; Don't know what kind of throttling they do for heavy users. &nbsp;I know from other sites that some of their plans are on Sprint towers and some on Verizon. &nbsp;I plan on moving in a few weeks from the Verizon 5 GB plan to the Millenicom 20 GB plan for $60 a month. &nbsp;Pretty sure it is still Verizon towers.

 

[SirJoey]

I plan on moving in a few weeks from the Verizon 5 GB plan to the Millenicom 20 GB plan for $60 a month. &nbsp;Pretty sure it is still Verizon towers.

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Mike, does that mean 20G per day, per month, or what?</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>And what kind of speed are they claiming?</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Also, I notice U guys talking about them using Sprint's towers, vs Verizon's towers... <br />does it actually make a difference whose towers they use?</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Trying my best to understand all this stuff. <br /></strong></span><br /><br />

 

[wandering mike]

Sir Joey:<br />20 Gb is per month.<br />3G/4G is the speed if you are near the right towers. &nbsp;Now I only have 3G. &nbsp;In the boonies sometimes it can be very slow, almost dial up speed, if they haven't upgraded towers or you are roaming to a small local carrier. &nbsp;3G is usually enough to watch video for me, but sometimes the buffering will take a bit of time. &nbsp;More than enough to stream music.<br /><br />Towers matter. &nbsp;As Nemo inferred, if the tower next to you is Verizon and you have a plan that uses Sprint, you are not going to be on line.<br /><br />KalaniStorm:<br />I am not sure a Virtual Private Server will do what you are thinking it does. &nbsp; See the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_server">Wikipedia entry</a>. &nbsp;These services are typically used by folks hosting web sites and things like that and don't provide the connection between the internet and a viewing device like a pc. &nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Thanx, Mike! That helps! U mentioned switching to the Millenicom plan using Verizon towers.... That doesn't mean U have to have a Verizon cell phone plan as well, does it?&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>As for speed, whenever I do a speed test on my current low-end DSL (the fastest I can get here in the boonies), it usually shows around 1.5 MBPS. That's super slow, isn't it? I mean, compared to these 3G &amp; 4G connections everybody's talking about?</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't my 1.5MBPS equal to about 15% of a 1G connection? In which case it would be roughly 4% as fast as a 4G. Is this correct?<br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[wandering mike]

No. &nbsp;Your voice plan is different. &nbsp;This is a separate deal with a separate device, an air card or mifi or something.<br /><br />DSL usually beats an air card for speed. &nbsp;But 1.5 MBPS is slow for DSL. &nbsp;But then again, if you are in the boonies the aircard may not even be that fast. &nbsp;Again, a lot depends on the tower you are on and the actual provider. &nbsp; <br /><br />In your last paragraph, I think you might be mixing up a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Signal_1">T1 </a>line with 1G. &nbsp;Different animals. &nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1G">1G</a> is analog from a telephone communications standard from the old dial up days as I recall. &nbsp;Maybe there is someone on here who is better versed. &nbsp;I am getting a bit out over my skis here.

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Okay, I prolly have this all wrong then, Mike, but my thinking was that 4G meant a download speed of 4GB per second, 3G being 3GB per second, etc, so I figured the one before 3G was prolly 2G, &amp; the first one must've been 1G, which would be (to my ignorant way of thinking), 1GB per second, which would STILL be WAY, WAY faster than my pitiful 1.5 MB per second download speed.&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>So what I've been thinking all along is prolly not even close to what all that stuff ACTUALLY means. When I see gigabytes, I automatically think "Okay, that's 1,000 times more than megabytes", so I try to figure it that way, but apparently I'm not even on the right planet here. <br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[Nemo]

when used in reference to connecton speed, 3g, 4g, are simply a reference for what generation of connection scheme they are using, no directly correlation to the amount of data.. I wish it was as fast as you hoped <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />technically speaking, I'm unsure what it translates to in terms of speed of data transfer, but 4g is the faster version because they are using newer tech. &nbsp;<br /><br />and the tower type matters in what network you are accessing and coverage.. I'm out in the west and Verizon has better coverage than sprint.. from what I've heard thats revered in the eastern part of the US, so who the provider is matters form a standpoint of where you intend to be travelling.<br /><br />

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Okay, I prolly have this all wrong then, Mike, but my thinking was that 4G meant a download speed of 4GB per second, 3G being 3GB per second, etc, so I figured the one before 3G was prolly 2G, &amp; the first one must've been 1G, which would be (to my ignorant way of thinking), 1GB per second, which would STILL be WAY, WAY faster than my pitiful 1.5 MB per second download speed.&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>So what I've been thinking all along is prolly not even close to what all that stuff ACTUALLY means. When I see gigabytes, I automatically think "Okay, that's 1,000 times more than megabytes", so I try to figure it that way, but apparently I'm not even on the right planet here. <br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[peacetara]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>So what I've been thinking all along is prolly not even close to what all that stuff ACTUALLY means. When I see gigabytes, I automatically think "Okay, that's 1,000 times more than megabytes", so I try to figure it that way, but apparently I'm not even on the right planet here. <br /></strong></span>

<br /><br />Hi Joey, basically Mike is right. &nbsp;<br />so 4G in Cell/Wireless land does not mean Gigabyte, it means 'Generation'. &nbsp;Basically 4G is the 4th try at fast cell phone service. &nbsp;3G would be the 3rd try and 2G would be the second try. &nbsp;You will soon learn if you dig into Cell service very much farther, that these actually mean a million different technical things all hidden under the 4G or 3G umbrella.<br /><br />If you look at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G">Wikipedia</a> article under 'Data Rate Comparison', you can see all the different standards that make up this 4G umbrella.<br /><br />4G is new stuff, the Cell phone providers (Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile, Sprint, etc) are still deploying 4G all across the country. &nbsp;So chances are boondocker types will not actually get 4G services for another few years (it takes them a while to upgrade their hundreds of thousands of cell phone towers).<br /><br />So how fast is 4G? &nbsp;Well at it's fastest it can go up to 1 Gigabit per second. &nbsp;as you said your DSL is 1 megabit per second, so *IN THEORY* 4G is WAY WAY faster.<br /><br />But, that is totally in theory. &nbsp;The stuff they actually have deployed on cell phone towers is nowhere near that speed. &nbsp;Currently the best stuff is from Verizon, and is coming in at about 9 to 20 megabits per second. &nbsp;To get a better idea, I welcome you to visit <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/Fastest-Mobile-Networks-2011">this page</a>, that shows all the scary numbers.<br /><br />so 4G even today can be faster than your 1.5 megabit per second DSL line.<br /><br />But don't let that fool you. Chances are you will get much better day to day service on DSL currently than you can on 4G. &nbsp;DSL is a dedicated circuit between you and the phone company, where it is then hooked up to the Internet. &nbsp;For Internet across cell phone towers, it's a giant shared connection on the radio waves between you and everyone else in range of that cell tower. &nbsp;Then there may be 3 or more connections from the cell tower to an actual Internet connection.<br /><br />So there is a LOT of changing variables with cell phone tower service. It MIGHT be faster than DSL for 5 seconds, and then be basically non-existent for 10 minutes. &nbsp;Or it could be pretty awesome service almost all the time.<br /><br />I would recommend either 1) try it out, if you really do hate your DSL, or 2) wait a year or two and give the cell companies time to update the towers or 3) get a friend with a 4G internet card to come visit you for a day or two, and see how it does for them first <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />-Tara<br />(I used to do this stuff professionally)

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Okay, thanx a lot for the education, guys! I really appreciate it, especially Tara! As I suspected, what I thought all along, wasn't even in the ballpark of what all this stuff actually meant, &amp; how it all works.&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Tara, it's not that I hate my DSL. Even though it's slow (even by DSL standards), it's WAY better than the dial-up I had to live with all these years until only about 2 years ago!</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>It's just that I'm trying to figure out which route to go as far as MOBILE broadband, or mobile hotspot, or whatever, for times when I'm (hopefully) on the road for extended periods of time with my little camper. I really wanna be able to do my internet banking, but I know I can't do that at any of these unsecure, free wifi places like McDonalds &amp; such. I'd really prefer not to hand out all my banking info to the whole world, via unsecure hotspots! <br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[peacetara]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>It's just that I'm trying to figure out which route to go as far as MOBILE broadband, or mobile hotspot, or whatever, for times when I'm (hopefully) on the road for extended periods of time with my little camper. I really wanna be able to do my internet banking, but I know I can't do that at any of these unsecure, free wifi places like McDonalds &amp; such. I'd really prefer not to hand out all my banking info to the whole world, via unsecure hotspots! <br /></strong></span>

<br /><br />So for Mobile, I think everyone basically says Verizon. &nbsp;Of course, T-Mobile, AT&amp;T and Sprint all offer the service as well. &nbsp;It doesn't really matter what little box you get from them, tho you might want to get one that can support an external antenna, cause vans(and other metal things) tend to ruin your cell signal. &nbsp;Basically there are 2 boxes you can get from them, the USB kind that plug into your computer directly, and the 'mifi' kind, that provide Wifi service themselves and do not directly plug into your computer. &nbsp;This latter option is fabulous if you have other things that speak wifi (Kindles, iPads, etc.).<br /><br />As for unsecured Wifi and banking. &nbsp;as long as all of your banks use SSL (which is a &nbsp;legal requirement now for all US banks) the connection between you and your bank is encrypted securely from your computer all the way to their computer, and unsecure Wifi doesn't matter. (the little lock icon up in the top where the URL's are means SSL).<br /><br />It's places like this site that are not SSL (they have no little lock icon) that are free for the taking. &nbsp;Lots of email providers, sites like this one, etc are usually not SSL encrypted. &nbsp;So anyone wanting your information need only 'listen in' and they can grab it. &nbsp;Of course, most people that are wanting to steal information in the first place, generally are not interested in sites like this one. &nbsp;Some providers like Facebook, gmail, etc are now allowing you to optionally turn on SSL, I'd recommend it if you can!<br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[SirJoey]

As for unsecured Wifi and banking. &nbsp;as long as all of your banks use SSL (which is a &nbsp;legal requirement now for all US banks) the connection between you and your bank is encrypted securely from your computer all the way to their computer, and unsecure Wifi doesn't matter. (the little lock icon up in the top where the URL's are means SSL).

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>WOW! I had no idea! That's GREAT! All this time, I've been thinking the biggest drawback to being on the road for extended periods, would be my inability to bank online. I always figured I'd actually have to come back home at least once a month, regardless of how far from home, just to pay bills &amp; stuff.&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>

</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Thanx a BUNCH, Tara! You're a lifesaver!&nbsp;<br /><br />I just now logged onto my bank account, &amp; yep, sure enough, just like U said, there's the little lock icon! :-D<br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[Seraphim]

Joey<br /><br />We pay bills, bank,investments, etc all via our Sprint 4g box. Works on Verizon networks also for no extra charge. No reason to come back to the bank.

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>This all comes as some of the best news I've had in awhile!<br /><br />After the sale of my home is a done deal, I'll finance me a decent truck, <br />hook up my little converted cargo trailer, &amp; take off for at LEAST a month! <br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[Locolarry]

Hey, SJ! I was gonna ask you if you still had the stealth Cargo Trl or if you'd sold it, too....Man, that would be the wrong thing to sell!&nbsp; That's a doozy!<br />Loco<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[Nemo]

ya might wanna read the fine print on that, unless they have changed it, the straight talk plan specifically prohibits tethering.<br /><br /><br />

I just got the Samgung Galaxy Proclaim with the Walmart $45.00 month unlimited everything plan (and attached my atm card for monthly payments). &nbsp;To my delight, it tethers to my laptop with no issues.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />

 

[SirJoey]

Hey, SJ! I was gonna ask you if you still had the stealth Cargo Trl or if you'd sold it, too....Man, that would be the wrong thing to sell!&nbsp; That's a doozy!<br />Loco<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>HEY, buddy! Good to see U on here! Welcome aboard!</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Man, I wouldn't part with my little cargo trailer camper for anything!&nbsp;<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong><br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[offroad]

One point not discussed is why we need or do not need high capacity internet data.&nbsp; Why do we need more that 1 Gigabyte (1G) per month?&nbsp; Why do people need 10 Gigabyte (10G) per month?<br /><br />Video mostly.&nbsp; <br /><br />1)&nbsp; Normal internet reading of web pages maybe one hour a day, and you can use only 1G in a whole month.<br /><br />2)&nbsp; Stream a movie, and you use 0.5G in just one sitting in your two hour movie from netflix (thats 500K bytes). &nbsp;<br /><br />You might be more cost effective to get a mailed DVD sent to you.<br /><br /><br />