Internet and Cell service for full timers

[GCA-5TH]

We have just started our western states trip which will take a bit over one year to complete. Currently we utilize a Verizon Cube Home Internet for our internet service because we have Verizon as our cell service provider. We have discovered an issue with the Cube. When we move to another location we can only get fast service if there is an available ‘slot’ for our 5G cube. That’s what Verizon is telling us. Even though they told us we could get fast internet anywhere when they sold the Cube to us, that is apparently not true.

Sooo… full timers, what are you using for fast internet and cell phone service.

We are considering going to T-Mobile for cell service and Starlink for internet. What are your thoughts? Our current monthly bill with Verizon is $260, so as long as we stay close to that I’m good with changing.

 

[twindman]

I think Starlink costs around $150 a month. We used it when it first came out at a small RV park. Around 20 sites, but only 4-6 in use at the time. It was really fast! As fast as at home using a cable connection (I think it is about 150mbs download speed)

 

[RMcNeal]

Finally pulled the pin and got Starlink. Showed up and installed yesterday. I got the standard dish with residential unlimited plan. I am currently at our second home in southern WV, so when I go back to Florida, I will change the plan to the roam unlimited and pause the service.
So far, I'm getting over 300mb download and around 25-30mb upload. I have gigabit fiber at home in Florida but the Starlink seems nearly as fast.
Currently the residential plan is $120/mo and the roam unlimited is $165/mo.
I have read you can keep the residential and just cancel/reactivate service as needed and change your service address as you move to simulate the roam plan's mobile and pause features. Supposed to save the additional $45/mo and residential is prioritized over roam, so the speed should be better.
It's only been less than 24 hours, but so far, I'm pleased. Has anyone stuck with the residential plan while travelling and done the cancel/reactivate process? I'm thinking just switching plan to roam and pausing service will be simpler. I believe I can switch back to residential when we come back for the summer as long as there is no wait list.

 

[fatcatzzz]

Starlink for us. Great service. We live in rural north central Idaho. No cell service. we us it to make VOIP phone calls.

 

[Mikendebbie]

We use Starlink at home for internet, and take the dish and router on the road to use in the RV.

 

[DutchmenSport]

We are still using Visible with good success. We've had it now over 4 years now. We've not had any issues at all. However, we do not boondock and we camp mostly in areas that have good phone service. If traveling West of the Mississippi River, Visible may hit a dead zone, and especially in some of the Western areas where folks are a zillion miles from a tower. Visible has never throttled us, and with a portable router, runs all our devices flawless at the same time.

If you camp in remote areas, Visible will be a bad choice. About your only option for that scenario will be Starlink.

But at only $40 a month, Visible is our choice pick!

 

[mlh]

We run our business on a Verizon Cube and cell service.
Lynwood

 

[cgeis48]

If you're lucky enough to have a plan with unlimited minutes and unlimited data, your iPhone should work just fine. On your iPhone, go to Settings> Cellular> Personal Hotspot and turn that on. Then, on your WiFi devices, search for an Internet connection as you normally do for your devices - connect to the new iPhone hotspot. (Not sure about other phones or providers.)
We stay in a Montana RV park that has extremely poor Wi-Fi. However, we get a reasonable 5G signal from T-Mobile. Even when we have used our maximum high-speed Internet, there is enough speed for us to watch movies on Netflix or ROKU. The downside of T-Mobile is, they say the local signal is too weak to accommodate a home cube. Hope this helps you.

 

[Angelic]

We have just started our western states trip which will take a bit over one year to complete. Currently we utilize a Verizon Cube Home Internet for our internet service because we have Verizon as our cell service provider. We have discovered an issue with the Cube. When we move to another location we can only get fast service if there is an available ‘slot’ for our 5G cube. That’s what Verizon is telling us. Even though they told us we could get fast internet anywhere when they sold the Cube to us, that is apparently not true.

Sooo… full timers, what are you using for fast internet and cell phone service.

We are considering going to T-Mobile for cell service and Starlink for internet. What are your thoughts? Our current monthly bill with Verizon is $260, so as long as we stay close to that I’m good with changing.

If you're lucky enough to have a plan with unlimited minutes and unlimited data, your iPhone should work just fine. On your iPhone, go to Settings> Cellular> Personal Hotspot and turn that on. Then, on your WiFi devices, search for an Internet connection as you normally do for your devices - connect to the new iPhone hotspot. (Not sure about other providers.)
We stay in an RV park that has extremely poor Wi-Fi in Montana. However, we get a reasonable 5G signal from T-Mobile. Even when we have used our maximum high-speed Internet, there is enough speed for us to watch movies on Netflix or ROKU. Hope this helps you.

we use Verizon 5g home internet. We live in Alabama and it worked as far as Las Vegas last year.

 

[Angelic]

Our Verizon 5G home internet works as far west as the Grand Canyon and up to Vegas. We live in Alabama.

 

[Majorpolk]

Starlink! On our 4th year. Works everywhere. Love it

 

[Sneezy]

We have just started our western states trip which will take a bit over one year to complete. Currently we utilize a Verizon Cube Home Internet for our internet service because we have Verizon as our cell service provider. We have discovered an issue with the Cube. When we move to another location we can only get fast service if there is an available ‘slot’ for our 5G cube. That’s what Verizon is telling us. Even though they told us we could get fast internet anywhere when they sold the Cube to us, that is apparently not true.

Sooo… full timers, what are you using for fast internet and cell phone service.

We are considering going to T-Mobile for cell service and Starlink for internet. What are your thoughts? Our current monthly bill with Verizon is $260, so as long as we stay close to that I’m good with changing.

Finally pulled the pin and got Starlink. Showed up and installed yesterday. I got the standard dish with residential unlimited plan. I am currently at our second home in southern WV, so when I go back to Florida, I will change the plan to the roam unlimited and pause the service.
So far, I'm getting over 300mb download and around 25-30mb upload. I have gigabit fiber at home in Florida but the Starlink seems nearly as fast.
Currently the residential plan is $120/mo and the roam unlimited is $165/mo.
I have read you can keep the residential and just cancel/reactivate service as needed and change your service address as you move to simulate the roam plan's mobile and pause features. Supposed to save the additional $45/mo and residential is prioritized over roam, so the speed should be better.
It's only been less than 24 hours, but so far, I'm pleased. Has anyone stuck with the residential plan while travelling and done the cancel/reactivate process? I'm thinking just switching plan to roam and pausing service will be simpler. I believe I can switch back to residential when we come back for the summer as long as there is no wait list.

You can only change your address a assert certain amount of times then they will kick you on roaming permanently

 

[RMcNeal]

I haven't heard that. Interesting.

 

[Sneezy]

I haven't heard that. Interesting.

It is something new as of January 2025. it is posted in several spots on full web site and was in their news letter(s).

 

[c2itcliff]

I use the "hotspot" function on my phone through T-Mobile. Later this year, T-Mobile customers will have the ability to connect to "starlink" with just your phone. No additional hardware will be needed.

https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/satellite-phone-service