Internet Service

Gary801 · 07-20-2011, 08:55 PM

To all you full timers who head south for the winter, I need some discussion on Internet Service. We will be going to Quartzsite, AZ for 5 months and was wondering what all different companies offer this service. I went and talked to Verizon today and they have a good internet program but i have to sign a 2 year commitment and I realy hate doing that. Not having the internet is not evan a consideration as we do all our banking etc on the internet. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

powderman · 07-20-2011, 09:08 PM

If you want to buy your own phone, AT&T has a contract free plan that will provide data. I myself prefer Verizon and I feel the $30 a month for the data plan is easily paid for in the savings I get in buying fuel. With the fuel buddy app (which is free) many times I get fuel for 30 to 40 cents a gallon cheaper just over the hill from the exit ramp. The Smart Phone - Don't leave home without it.

Pairajays · 07-20-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary801

To all you full timers who head south for the winter, I need some discussion on Internet Service. We will be going to Quartzsite, AZ for 5 months and was wondering what all different companies offer this service. I went and talked to Verizon today and they have a good internet program but i have to sign a 2 year commitment and I realy hate doing that. Not having the internet is not evan a consideration as we do all our banking etc on the internet. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Just curious, why don't you want to commit for 2 years? Did they offer the MiFi 4510L at no cost?

Jim E

Gary801 · 07-20-2011, 11:24 PM

Not wanting to commit for 2 years is just my own personal preference. Right now our Cell Phones are with Consumer Cellular out of Portland, OR and it is a pay as you go plan. I can quit anytime. I will probobly just go ahead and sign with Verizon. What they showed me was a Novatel 4510L WiFi Broadband device. The cost is only $50.00/month (plus taxes of course) for 5GB service per month. I just wanted to know what was out there besides Verizon.

blackf3504dr · 07-21-2011, 05:43 AM

Virgin Mobile offers a no contract plan you may want to check out. The air card is $79.99 with a couple different plans to choose from (pay as you go).

bsvirginian · 07-21-2011, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary801

To all you full timers who head south for the winter, I need some discussion on Internet Service. We will be going to Quartzsite, AZ for 5 months and was wondering what all different companies offer this service. I went and talked to Verizon today and they have a good internet program but i have to sign a 2 year commitment and I realy hate doing that. Not having the internet is not evan a consideration as we do all our banking etc on the internet. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Something that I discovered a couple of years ago is that some cell phones can operate as a modem for your internet service. I was told that the cell phone companies frown upon this but the manufacturer of the cell phone could card less. The only draw back is that you have to have it programed correctly (way beyond of my pay grade) and the other is if you can't get a signal for your cell, the internet won't work either. I use Sprint.

patmsp · 07-21-2011, 06:06 AM

I currently have Verizon. But, I am very unhappy with their 5GB monthly cap and their 2 year commitment. I like Verizon because of their excellent network. So, I did some research and came up with an open ended company that rides on the Verizon network. They do not require a contract and they offer many different affordable options. Take a look:

Millenicom | High Speed Wireless Broadband

Pat

paz · 07-21-2011, 06:06 AM

Millenicom offers several plans without contract - some through Verizon, which has the best coverage. Millenicom won't say which plans are offered through which provider, but I think the unlimited plan is through Sprint. Maybe someone else will chime in on which plans are Verizon.

ahicks · 07-21-2011, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary801

Not wanting to commit for 2 years is just my own personal preference. Right now our Cell Phones are with Consumer Cellular out of Portland, OR and it is a pay as you go plan. I can quit anytime. I will probobly just go ahead and sign with Verizon. What they showed me was a Novatel 4510L WiFi Broadband device. The cost is only $50.00/month (plus taxes of course) for 5GB service per month. I just wanted to know what was out there besides Verizon.

Gary,
We signed up with AT&T to get a Novatel unit. Same price as what you're talking about. It's reliable and easy to use, but what everyone forgot (?) to tell us was how incredibly slow that connection can be in rural areas. A 2G connection (normal in rural areas) will have you wishing for a dail up connection. It's almost tolerable for email, but browsing is just about out of the realm of it's ability.

Closer in where you can get a 3G signal (or better, 4G), life is good. You might inquire about the service available at your destination - if they say good, get it in writing. My experience anyway...

Senior Chief · 07-21-2011, 06:41 AM

We've been using the Millenicom 20G plan (on the Verizon network) for about 8 mos at $59/mo, and we're just delighted with it. Cheaper and for the most part faster than the Hughesnet satellite system we used before.

We coupled the U760 aircard from Millenicom with a wired amplifier and antenna from Maximum Signal so we can get a signal in marginal areas. That's all plugged into a wireless Cradlepoint 35 router, which will also do Wifi as WAN, so its useful when we have decent Wifi available, as well.

Now thinking about getting an Ipad2 with a ATT data plan to use as a Wifi hotspot when we're not in Verizon coverage. Only 2 gig, but its better than going back to Hughnet

RVRoadTrip · 07-21-2011, 07:11 AM

3Gstore.com, 3G/4G Routers, Antennas, Amplifiers, WiFi, Verizon & Sprint Data Cards will often have specials that do not require a contract. Might be worth a look for you...

Pallee · 07-21-2011, 07:29 AM

We use the MiFi available at Best Buy. It's a Virgin Atlantic product and works great. No contract and multiple options such as monthly unlimited access. It supports up to 5 wifi devices at a time so we can both use laptops, iPad, etc.

JohnH59 · 07-21-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senior Chief

Now thinking about getting an Ipad2 with a ATT data plan to use as a Wifi hotspot when we're not in Verizon coverage. Only 2 gig, but its better than going back to Hughnet

I've yet to be in an AT&T coverage where I didn't have Verizon coverage. I have both an AT&T iPad and Verizon iPad. The Verizon is SO much better than the AT&T as far as coverage.

ahicks · 07-21-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnH59

I've yet to be in an AT&T coverage where I didn't have Verizon coverage. I have both an AT&T iPad and Verizon iPad. The Verizon is SO much better than the AT&T as far as coverage.

OK, so assuming coverage, how do they generally compare regarding speed (ATT vs. Verizon Ipads)?