Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > HAVE MOC WILL TRAVEL > Internet & Cell Phones
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-14-2020, 09:28 AM   #1
travelingtree
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Dundee
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #26887
Unlimited options now that ATT has dumped everything

Hello all. My family and I are getting Ready to start full time and I’m trying find an unlimited hotspot option. We would need a halfway descent connection for homeschooling and streaming movies for entertainment. We plan a on traveling all over, some urban, some rural, some middle of no where boondocking. I understand that we won’t have service 100% of the time, I’m just hoping for something that would work most of the time and not break the bank. It seems several popular services were using the ATT network and recently they have all been kicked off that network. Anyone have any suggestions?
 
travelingtree is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 10:44 AM   #2
prndl
Montana Master
 
prndl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 1000 oaks
Posts: 949
M.O.C. #19630
Verizon is offering $40 "unlimited" data. I have Verizon but do not use the new plan.
__________________
2011 2955RL Gen-Y Executive Kingpin
2022 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Alison
4X4 Crew Cab/Standard bed.
prndl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 12:20 PM   #3
mlh
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,528
M.O.C. #2283
I have 4 phone lines of Version “unlimited” that I have had for a couple years. It isn’t unlimited. Sure you can use all the data you wish but after 15 gigs on each line it’s throttled.
Lynwood
__________________
www.harrellsprec.com
Lynwood Harrell
323 RL HC 2008 F250
mlh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 01:40 PM   #4
uhftx
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Hudson
Posts: 480
M.O.C. #2446
Other options may include Sim Cards for your phone. These could be local depending on country of travel. Why do I say this. Because of people who travel have different destinations. Especially international travel.

Then you have to weigh the download speeds of satellite vs tresterial signal paths. Neither work with heavy tree cover and depending on your destinations. I have see where people have to hike miles to a hill to capture a signal.
Satellite is expensive but gets you the best coverage provided your signal is not blocked.

Check out the yachting community or the sailing community on the internet. They suffer the same internet questions, But their geographic areas are extremely different from just north America. Milddle of the Pacific or Atlantic or other global issues.

Your milage will vary with plans costs and coverage no matter what you choose. Expect zero connects and outstanding service with each plan no matter where you stay dependent on who you subscribe to.

One other option is to get more than one plan. It is no more expensive than one night per month at a RV resort. So splurge and get the best of both worlds on the road.
Happy trails and good luck with your decision.
__________________
Chris Donna and Oliver the rescue Dog.
Old 3255RL It is a weekend warrior and less than 15K miles. Mostly sits at the house. Home is where the heart is.
uhftx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 02:46 PM   #5
lewy64
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Denton
Posts: 65
M.O.C. #26365
Right now because of so many at home and the remote learning, cell providers are not a good option. I use tmobile One (which is not offered anymore) and have their 4g Truly unlimited plan with 4g data. I have hit 90gb in a month, with no noticeable slowdown. It was great till covid hit now it is not very good, slow and sometimes just does not work. Thank god i got a backup plan with the resorts wifi. I am looking into Starlink by Elon musk, its a satellite internet but is currently in beta, it should be out fully this fall. It does not require a standard dish at this point, just a small saucer shaped antenna on a pole, like a tv antenna.


There really is not a good solution at this moment. Satellite is expensive and you have the dish that you have to lug around, and some wont install for a mobile installation. And as I've mentioned cell is not a good option right now.
__________________
2011 GMC Sierra HD 3500 DRW
2019 Montana 3761FL
lewy64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 04:02 PM   #6
sourdough
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Lamesa
Posts: 621
M.O.C. #26010
I have to echo what lewy64 said. A couple of months ago I thought I was intent on having a hotspot for our travels. I contacted ATT and Verizon (the only 2 I want to use) and neither had a true unlimited plan. Verizon would sell me one they termed "unlimited" but it throttled back after 15gig if I remember correctly. They also mentioned that so many are remote working and distance learning that not only were their networks running full tilt, they didn't even have any JetPacks to sell me.
__________________
Danny and Susan wife of 55 years
2019 Ram Laramie 3500 6.4 4x4 CC 4.10 SRW
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
sourdough is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 05:43 PM   #7
mhs4771
Montana Master
 
mhs4771's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,657
M.O.C. #9969
And trust me, when you reach that 15G limit you might as well turn it off until the next cycle starts as it becomes slower than dial-up.
We fell for that BS, just prior it was a 25G limit and the Saleman didn't bother to inform us of the recent change, just kept saying "Unlimited, Unlimited".
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
mhs4771 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 08:15 PM   #8
PNW Fireguy
Montana Master
 
PNW Fireguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
There are currently no truly unlimited data plans available from any of the major carriers at this time. I am 90% sure you can still find some corporate resellers via ebay that have access to grandfathered unlimited plans but they are not competively priced. In addition you have to really pay attention to the fine print to determine exactly what you are getting. In other words buyer beware.
__________________
SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
PNW Fireguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2020, 05:01 AM   #9
RMcNeal
Montana Master
 
RMcNeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,117
M.O.C. #25165
I have seen some ads recently for Nomad Internet. I think they use AT&T's towers and they advertise unlimited. I cannot vouch for them as I am on an unlimited AT&T grandfathered plan from 20 year ago. It seems they and other companies are starting to enter the market to fill this gap. Just make sure and read the fine print.
__________________
Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
RMcNeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2020, 03:01 PM   #10
RipNC
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Aurora
Posts: 429
M.O.C. #26926
Check out gotw3 dot com they aren't cheap but comparable to my US Cellular home internet service. Will probably try them once we get our 3121RL.
RipNC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2020, 05:27 PM   #11
DQDick
Site Team
 
DQDick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
We have two rural RV home bases (one in Kansas and one in New Mexico) and used to work for Fish and Wildlife in the boonies. Verizon was the only provider that consistantly worked, that said, we never tried streaming and frequently used all our "unlimited" usage.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
DQDick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 01:44 PM   #12
BobStack
Montana Fan
 
BobStack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BUZZARDS BAY
Posts: 113
M.O.C. #25753
I use the following MOFI cellular router with UBIFI unlimited data plan no throttling for $99 a month. There is a waitlist to get onto the UBIFI Plan. I connect to WIFI with a Cheap $99 TP-LINK Antenna that reaches out to about 3/4 of a mile and will pickup almost any WIFI signal. My TP-LINK is connected to my WAN port on my MOFI router and anytime the WIFI drops off or is bellow the specified amount the router auto switches to pure cellular. The router isn't cheap but it's rock solid and FAST and worth every penny!! I use dual WIRENG cellular antennas that can pickup cell towers miles away.

I did a ton of research and this is by far the fastest I could come up with. I'm getting an average 30down and 30up from this setup but your looking at about $1,000 investment including the long range cell antennas.
__________________
2020 Montana 3781RL
2020 GMC 3500 Denali HD Diesel SRW
20k Demco slider hitch
BobStack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 02:21 PM   #13
RipNC
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Aurora
Posts: 429
M.O.C. #26926
Thanks for the info Bob! Do you locate a tower and aim your WireEng antennas every time you make camp? I checked out Ubifi and maybe I'll get on that wait list (hope to go fulltime next year).
I use a single WireEng for my booster at my house, in the cellular black hole of eastern NC, on a collapsible flagpole and it works very well. Hopefully the house will sell quick so we can go fulltime. We use US Cellular home internet here but their coverage footprint isn't great, so I may swap it out while house sells.
__________________
Rip & Beth
2021 3121RL Legacy Cobalt FBP, MORryde IS & pin box
2020 F350 PSD CCLB SRW
RipNC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 02:34 PM   #14
BobStack
Montana Fan
 
BobStack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BUZZARDS BAY
Posts: 113
M.O.C. #25753
Any time Rip!!

I use the dual antenna setup and the LTE Speed coverage Map App to locate the fastest tower near me then aim, test and enjoy all that unlimited Cell data!! If you choose to go that route you can buy the Pre-Configured router directly from UBIFI and save a ton of pain but it is a little more expensive. I configured mine myself but I did IT for 12 years. Your welcome to PM me and I'll help if I can.
__________________
2020 Montana 3781RL
2020 GMC 3500 Denali HD Diesel SRW
20k Demco slider hitch
BobStack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 03:45 PM   #15
mlh
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,528
M.O.C. #2283
I just checked my Verizon speed 80.7 down 18.4 down. That’s 4G LTE.
Lynwood
__________________
www.harrellsprec.com
Lynwood Harrell
323 RL HC 2008 F250
mlh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 04:08 PM   #16
BobStack
Montana Fan
 
BobStack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BUZZARDS BAY
Posts: 113
M.O.C. #25753
That’s an average and distance to cell tower makes a big difference . As I don’t choose to camp next to a cell tower and usually rely on picking up cell signal at a distance that’s great speed!! I get 80down and 25up when I’m close to a tower.
__________________
2020 Montana 3781RL
2020 GMC 3500 Denali HD Diesel SRW
20k Demco slider hitch
BobStack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2020, 07:18 PM   #17
BiggarView
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: home base IL, OTR anywhere
Posts: 532
M.O.C. #19382
Send a message via AIM to BiggarView
Check out Mobilemusthave.com. worth a look.
__________________

2017 RAM 3500 Laramie CCLB Dually CTD Aisin, OEM auto level rear air-ride, B&W hitch
2020 3813MS Legacy Cobalt FBP, MORryde 8K IS & pinbox, PI EMS,DIY mods by in-house "craftsman", RV security system Mk1 Beagle Alerter
BiggarView is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2020, 06:22 AM   #18
RMcNeal
Montana Master
 
RMcNeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,117
M.O.C. #25165
Just as a side note...If you choose to go with external antennas, try to make sure you look for MIMO antennas. They allow Multiple In/Multiple Out like your cell phone. Typically, the speed will be much better than with a single channel. Boosters only use a single channel and can hurt your speed and bandwidth if you have a reasonable signal to start with. There's some really good info explaining how this works on Mobile Internet Resource Center and Techno RV.
__________________
Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
RMcNeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2020, 10:32 AM   #19
432bartman
Montana Master
 
432bartman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,252
M.O.C. #26190
We don't full time, but on week days my wife is teaching her 4th. grade class in our trailer, via Zoom video conferencing. We purchased the portable hotspot device T9 Franklin from T-Mobile. The device was $84.00 and the monthly service charge for the most data (22GB) is about $85.00. So far it gets 5 bars all the time, you can hook up to 15 wifi devices on it (Our friends who were with us in their RV, and whose wife was also teaching her class used it at the same time my wife was), and it has a built in rechargeable 2450 mah battery. Works great for your smart TV when you want to use it for Netflix or other programming. So far it is working out great.
__________________
2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2020 Chevy 2500 HD, Firestone airbags, Air Lift wireless compressor, Curt gooseneck, 20K Reese Goosebox, TST-507, USMC combat vet & retired LEO. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie). & our Great Pyrenees Layla
432bartman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 09:20 PM   #20
rames14
Montana Master
 
rames14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,135
M.O.C. #1920
T Mobile now has a 100 gb plan for $50/month. It just came out and the resellers don’t have access to it. I’m doing month to month just to try it out.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
rames14 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:23 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.