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Old 05-01-2020, 06:51 PM   #1
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Best solution for internet

I am reasonably well versed in the various technologies but I have hit a mild roadblock as to what will work best for my situation. I have read a ton of these threads and would like to thank those of you that spend so much time answering similar questions.

For my home internet I am using am currently using an MF279. I know there are 2 different versions, I am not sure which mine is and I am not home to check. My understanding is the difference is one has Band 14 in it. These are listed as 3g/4g routers.

Last year they replaced the cell tower by my house and I get 5g LTE on my cell phone with speeds often around 100 mb. My MF279 typically is around 40 mb, but I have a relatively weak signal at around 105db.

I need a secondary source of internet for travel. I have 3 factors I am trying to balance; cost of equipment, cost of plan and amount of use. Also right now the availability of mobile routers has decreased and the price has increased greatly.

My choices are as follows:
MF279. Do I need band 14 to get faster speeds? Cost is under $200 if I can find one. AT&T will put it on a "phone" plan for their current "unlimited" plans (can throttle).

Nighthawk M1. Cost was $250 but are close to $500 now. It sounds like they will work with an "unlimited" tablet SIM. If it will not work with a tablet plan then the cost for service is out of the question.

The advantage to either of these options is portability. I can use them anywhere and if needed I would add a cell booster.

If I am going to spend over a couple of hundred dollars I am considering RV mounted solutions. I would only get use of it this about 8 months out of the year because I store it off site during snowy weather. The other issue is which SIM cards will these work with? If I am paying for limited "hotspot" plans these are not an option. If I can use it them with an unlimited phone or tablet SIM then they are an option.

For Fixed options I have looked at the following 2 options.
Winegard Connect 2.0. I like the idea of this unit for cost, it appears to be a single all in one unit.

I am also looking at the WIFI Ranger systems. Looks like an awesome product with awesome support. Pricer is a little higher than I would like to spend, especially since I would rarely be using the WIFI booster. It also looks like there are a few more components to set up than the Connect. I do like that you can bring multiple signals in.

I know that is a lot of information, and I am sure I forgot something, or even another option. Can anyone provide some guidance or helpful links?
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Old 05-01-2020, 07:37 PM   #2
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Old 05-01-2020, 08:40 PM   #3
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See MIRC.
Thank you. I have spent a fair amount of time on that site and others before posting here.
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Old 05-02-2020, 04:19 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by Nwcid View Post
Nighthawk M1. Cost was $250 but are close to $500 now. It sounds like they will work with an "unlimited" tablet SIM. If it will not work with a tablet plan then the cost for service is out of the question.
There has been several discussions that ATT was cancelling the tablet SIM that we not being used in a table. They can tell very easy what you are connecting.

There is their list of unlimited plans -
https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/gea...spot=unlimited

Currently there is slim pickings for plans - ATT started several mts ago with the 3rd party providers being kicked off their network & them moving to other providers. As what band is best, will depend on provider, location and what hot spot you are using.

List of bands by carrier
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Old 05-02-2020, 06:48 PM   #5
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There has been several discussions that ATT was cancelling the tablet SIM that we not being used in a table. They can tell very easy what you are connecting.

There is their list of unlimited plans -
https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/gea...spot=unlimited

Currently there is slim pickings for plans - ATT started several mts ago with the 3rd party providers being kicked off their network & them moving to other providers. As what band is best, will depend on provider, location and what hot spot you are using.

List of bands by carrier
Looks like I might be trying to find another MF279......
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Old 05-02-2020, 07:01 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Nwcid View Post

Last year they replaced the cell tower by my house and I get 5g LTE on my cell phone with speeds often around 100 mb. My MF279 typically is around 40 mb, but I have a relatively weak signal at around 105db.
With digital devices signal strength has very little to do with download speed. There's nothing wrong with a -105 dB signal.

If you have 5G LTE on your phone you can't possibly compare the speed on the MF279 to what you are getting on the phone. The MF279 isn't a 5G device.

Adding an additional band to your reception isn't going to give you the speeds you are seeing on your phone. However, the MF279 is a relatively old device (even if you have the newer version) and the modems in newer hotspots not only will support other bands, they also wills support features such as carrier aggregation that the MF279 does not have.

As for WiFiRanger products, you could consider buying just an indoor router with integrated modem. That way you could use it as your hotspot during RV season and then could take it inside your house and use it as a hotspot during the rest of the year. Take the SIM out of the MF279 and put it in an Aspen router with an integrated Cat-6 modem and I would expect you would get better perormance.

WiFiRanger products are certified for use with AT&T and T-Mobile SIMs and Verizon certification is in process. Although WiFiRanger will not guarantee that any particular customer-supplied SIM will work with its routers, pretty much any SIM intended for hotspot or tablet use probably will be fine.

However, using SIMs intended for phones is a different issue. Many will probably work but the cellular carrier has the right to terminate service if the SIM is not being used in a device for which it is approved.

If you have other questions, feel free to ask.

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Old 05-03-2020, 07:33 PM   #7
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With digital devices signal strength has very little to do with download speed. There's nothing wrong with a -105 dB signal.

If you have 5G LTE on your phone you can't possibly compare the speed on the MF279 to what you are getting on the phone. The MF279 isn't a 5G device.

Adding an additional band to your reception isn't going to give you the speeds you are seeing on your phone. However, the MF279 is a relatively old device (even if you have the newer version) and the modems in newer hotspots not only will support other bands, they also wills support features such as carrier aggregation that the MF279 does not have.

As for WiFiRanger products, you could consider buying just an indoor router with integrated modem. That way you could use it as your hotspot during RV season and then could take it inside your house and use it as a hotspot during the rest of the year. Take the SIM out of the MF279 and put it in an Aspen router with an integrated Cat-6 modem and I would expect you would get better perormance.

WiFiRanger products are certified for use with AT&T and T-Mobile SIMs and Verizon certification is in process. Although WiFiRanger will not guarantee that any particular customer-supplied SIM will work with its routers, pretty much any SIM intended for hotspot or tablet use probably will be fine.

However, using SIMs intended for phones is a different issue. Many will probably work but the cellular carrier has the right to terminate service if the SIM is not being used in a device for which it is approved.

If you have other questions, feel free to ask.

Joel (AKA docj)
Thank you, I do realize that the MF279 can not compare to the phone. I was just talking about general speeds at my house.

I am interested in the Ranger products, my challenge is just with making sure I can get reasonably priced data.

Here is where my knowledge starts fading, the SIM (program, not just physical size) that goes in a phone will also work with the MF279 since it is also a phone. However, a SIM for a phone will not work in a tablet or hotspot like the Nighthawk.

So currently on my phone bill, my MF279 is listed as a phone line. I understand that ATT may physically see it differently.

Will the Ranger products typically work with a SIM from a phone?
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Old 05-03-2020, 07:44 PM   #8
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Will the Ranger products typically work with a SIM from a phone?
WiFiRanger routers are best defined as hotspots and should work well with SIMs that have been activated for hotspot use.
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Old 05-03-2020, 07:46 PM   #9
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WiFiRanger routers are best defined as hotspots and should work well with SIMs that have been activated for hotspot use.
That is what I was assuming which really limits available plans.....
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Old 05-03-2020, 07:51 PM   #10
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That is what I was assuming which really limits available plans.....
So just use the phone and tether it by USB to the Ranger. That's what I do with my Visible phone
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Old 05-03-2020, 08:12 PM   #11
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So just use the phone and tether it by USB to the Ranger. That's what I do with my Visible phone
That is possible. I do have unlimited on my phone.

I might have another reasonable option for a "tablet" plan that was not offered when I got my current service. I will be calling them in the morning.
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Old 05-03-2020, 10:53 PM   #12
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That is possible. I do have unlimited on my phone.
If your phone plan is like most, its "unlimited" aspect is only for data used on the phone itself. Tethering and hotspot use probably have a limit of 15-20 GB/month of LTE data.
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Old 05-04-2020, 05:56 PM   #13
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If your phone plan is like most, its "unlimited" aspect is only for data used on the phone itself. Tethering and hotspot use probably have a limit of 15-20 GB/month of LTE data.
I am lucky, it is not like most. Mine is truly unlimited, but if I use a crazy amount for more then a couple of months at a time "my account will be reviewed".

My MF279 is on a "phone" plan and I have not been throttled on it yet......

I am still waiting to hear back from ATT about my possible table option. Reading the online agreement it looks like it will work for what I want to do. I just want a rep to review it with me.

I did call Wifi Ranger today and it sounds like if I can get a tablet SIM that the Cat 6 Aspen is my best choice for my purpose. The rep I spoke with was very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly.
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Old 05-04-2020, 07:24 PM   #14
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My MF279 is on a "phone" plan and I have not been throttled on it yet......
When I had the MF279 and my plan - It was both data and phone "I could plug a phone in the RJ11 jack and make / receive calls. Mine was also listed as a phone.
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