Best data plans

[GaryDundee1]

My wife and are picking up our RV in a few weeks. We both have internet business activity to conduct while we are traveling. Does anyone have thoughts about which data plans offer the best coverage and speed?

[vermilye]

What is "best" depends on your specific needs & travel locations, but Millenicom has a couple of plans that resell major provider's services. The Advanced Plan provides 20GB per month @ $59.99 per month, and, judging by their coverage map, uses the Verizon network. Fairly good start & stop provisions, no taxes, and no contract.

[WSRG]

My wife and I have been using verizon for a couple of years and have had NO issues almost anywhere.

You can also get a wireless internet card for verizon on E-Bay for a fraction of the cost for a new one, and not have to sign a contract for the air-time.

Bill

[phxmtngirl]

We use Verizon, but do stay within our 5 g limit.

[RickO]

We've used Verizon for three years and from what I read around here it's by far the most popular choice. Never had a problem with the mysterious 5GB limit on our "unlimited" plan.

Rick

[Dadeaux]

We use a Verizon MIFI unit that allows both of us to use the net simultaneously. Unless you are going full time you may want to buy one outright, without a service contract, then it can be turned off and on at your pleasure without penalties.

Click here for more info.

[chief02]

verizon Driod phone with tethering up to 5 devices

[Dadeaux]

The problem with tethering; if the person with the Droid is out the other party has no access. The MIFI is a separate unit that resides in the RV and either or both may use at anytime. It too will allow up to 5 connections and carries a limit of 5ghz monthly.

[lukidog]

Does Verizon require a data plan to use the Mifi? What is the cost?

Do you need a particular type of phone to use it?

I have an LG enV3 and up until this month, I tethered it using Verizon's mobile broadband feature which I turned on as needed and was only charged for what I used. No contract for the broadband, no data plan. Now, Verizon has removed this feature and said my only option was to add a $30/mo data plan and then add their mobile broadband for $20 for 2G, which could be turned on and off as needed.

We travel approximately 5 months during the winter and occasional 3-5 day trips during the summer. Don't have great Verizon service at our home so it's not something I'd use for broadband at home.

thanks... Mary-NH

[bgsc]

We are using Virgin Mobile mifi $40.00 month no limit, works great in south Florida

[wa8yxm]

There is no "Best" However I will make these observations.
Cellular, Verizon really does have the best cverage but it's nt 100% and they have data limits.. No Cell company has 100%

Virgin Mobile currently offeres unlimited but that is about to change

Others are all limited now. though a tethered smart phone I'm not sure of... Some smart phones have teathering built in already.

2-way Satellite (how this is being posted) has very small "no coverage" areas, and most of those are small (like move over 2 sites and it works) however there is that 1/2 second lag time (ping time) while the signal goes up and back down. Speeds are "Slow DSL" and again there are data limits, but they tend to be larger than the Cell plans. There is also the "Up Front" cost.

IN all cases, the price is 40-70/month.

[Clay L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukidog Does Verizon require a data plan to use the Mifi? What is the cost? Do you need a particular type of phone to use it? thanks... Mary-NH

It does not require any phone to use it.
It is a combination of a wireless router and aircard (modem). It will connect up to five computers to the internet at once. The data plan is $50 per month with a 5 GB per month limit.

[Dadeaux]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukidog Does Verizon require a data plan to use the Mifi? What is the cost? Do you need a particular type of phone to use it? I have an LG enV3 and up until this month, I tethered it using Verizon's mobile broadband feature which I turned on as needed and was only charged for what I used. No contract for the broadband, no data plan. Now, Verizon has removed this feature and said my only option was to add a $30/mo data plan and then add their mobile broadband for $20 for 2G, which could be turned on and off as needed. We travel approximately 5 months during the winter and occasional 3-5 day trips during the summer. Don't have great Verizon service at our home so it's not something I'd use for broadband at home. thanks... Mary-NH

The MIFI is a stand-a-lone device, not associated with your phone, and has its own number the monthly cost is $59.95.

[777 Driver]

I'm relatively new to the RV internet challenge. I've been a Verizon subscriber for years. I hope to retire in the near future and have been exploring ways to connect, for the last few months.

My goal is to establish a WiFi network in my coach so that I can enjoy internet connectivity via several platforms (laptop, iPad, etc.) AND network a printer so I can have print capability without a wired connection for the printer.

I looked at the MiFi...although it will provide internet connectivity for several devices at once, it WILL NOT support a WiFi network (including a printer).

I've heard lots of positive comments regarding the Cradlepoint routers. There's a recent entrant that looks intersting; the WiFiRanger: Home

I haven't, yet, settled on a router. I DID recently purchase a HTC Droid Incredible that I occasionally tether to my laptop using PdaNet. That seems to work very well. PdaNet is a Droid or iPhone app that, for about $15 (one time charge) enables your phone to tether without incurring the Verizon charge (I think it's about $20/month). Here's a link to PdaNet info: June Fabrics PDA Technology Group

Verizon offers a $29.95 unlimited data plan for their Droid phones. I've heard rumors that Verizon will change their data plans as they bring the iPhone online and promote their 4g plans. I purposely bought into the Droid/3g unlimited data plan on the belief that my plan will be grandfathered when the new pricing plans are incorporated. 3g seems fast enough. Verizon seems to have the best coverage.

I've been communicating with the WiFiRanger folks. Currently the Droid does not tether to their router; they promise that they're working to incorporate that feature (Droid tether).

The bottom line for me...$29.95/month for unlimited data seemed to be the cheapest that fit my needs.

Take care,
Stu