Community Forums

jacwjames · 06-09-2021, 09:46 AM

Is anyone using the Cricket Simply Data $55 plan. This seems like a good deal to get some coverage while on the road. The offer the Turbo hotspot for ~$80, some start fees, but after that seems like a decent deal

If any one is using any complaints or comments?

Ljwt330 · 06-09-2021, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacwjames

Is anyone using the Cricket Simply Data $55 plan. This seems like a good deal to get some coverage while on the road. The offer the Turbo hotspot for ~$80, some start fees, but after that seems like a decent deal

If any one is using any complaints or comments?

I don’t have the data plan, but have had the “El Cheapo” phone plan for several years. No issues other than no coverage at my house, but that applies to nearly all other carriers as well. Customer service is marginal, at best.

Cricket is the super economical branch of AT&T, using the same infrastructure and coverage. Don’t know if it will be affected by AT&T’s recent changes in service as mentioned in another thread.

GypsyR · 06-09-2021, 11:59 AM

Doesn't seem to compare too well to the $25 a month Verizon/Visible plan if you ask me.
Visible thread: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f53/25-m...ed-442091.html
Or the ZTE/Mobley $20 thing here: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f53/20-u...ce-337555.html

ArloShmarlo · 06-09-2021, 01:23 PM

I’ve had a Cricket SIM in a Nighthawk MR1100 mobile hotspot for about 9 months. It is primarily used as an AT&T-based backup for my Verizon (grandfathered) unlimited data plan. In this context, my experience with Cricket has been very positive. It has provided a fast and reliable connection with little evidence of slowdowns due to network management (in comparison to my Verizon plan).

jacwjames · 06-09-2021, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsyR

Doesn't seem to compare too well to the $25 a month Verizon/Visible plan if you ask me.
Visible thread: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f53/25-m...ed-442091.html
Or the ZTE/Mobley $20 thing here: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f53/20-u...ce-337555.html

Thanks, I've read the Visible thread.

I have a ZTE Mobley now but it staying at the S&B while I travel.

Looking for options.

Jim A · 06-09-2021, 03:29 PM

Based on my Cricket cell phone plan, the coverage is probably not exactly the same as AT&T. The Cricket plan does not include the roaming towers that AT&T includes. There are a few places where I can't get reception on Cricket that I used to get with AT&T. For the cost savings, I can live with it. But be aware of it if looking to switch.

tetranz · 06-09-2021, 07:49 PM

Don't forget that AT&T have a very similar plan.
https://www.att.com/prepaid/mobile-hotspot-tablet/

There are some differences.
https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/cri...plan-to-55-mo/

If you're buying a device from Cricket then it's probably a good way to go. Cricket is slightly cheaper because it includes taxes.

If you already had a router then AT&T is probably the way.

jacwjames · 06-10-2021, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tetranz

Don't forget that AT&T have a very similar plan.
https://www.att.com/prepaid/mobile-hotspot-tablet/

There are some differences.
https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/cri...plan-to-55-mo/

If you're buying a device from Cricket then it's probably a good way to go. Cricket is slightly cheaper because it includes taxes.

If you already had a router then AT&T is probably the way.

The local AT&T store didn't even have any hotspots. I could by the Nighthawk MR5100 from Best Buy for ~$560, this is a 5G hotspot but in reality I won't be in areas that even have 5G coverage that much. I then can get the plan for AT&T.

Also called Cricket, I can buy a Turbo hotspot for $79. They do have some initial fees but overall the cheapest option to get going. One benefit is that Cricket does include Canada, which ultimately I'd probably use.

I could also have internet via my local electrical coop, this is fiber optic so very fast, but what turned me off was that it only allows a limited number (4) devices unless you go to the best plan. 4 devices wouldn't work with the 4 smart TV's, laptops, phones, printers etc connected. It might work if only one of us is home at a time. The person on the road would take the Mobley.

I have a week to decide.

tetranz · 06-10-2021, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacwjames

I could also have internet via my local electrical coop, this is fiber optic so very fast, but what turned me off was that it only allows a limited number (4) devices unless you go to the best plan.

I don't know how they enforce number of devices. You can always just add a router and have as many devices as you like even if they officially only allow one device.

jacwjames · 06-10-2021, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tetranz

I don't know how they enforce number of devices. You can always just add a router and have as many devices as you like even if they officially only allow one device.

I asked that very question, she said that it would recognize individual devices even routed through a router. That is the work around I use with the Mobley device.

tetranz · 06-10-2021, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacwjames

I asked that very question, she said that it would recognize individual devices even routed through a router.

I'm a little skeptical of that. She might have been getting confused with an ethernet switch or (obsolete now) hub which basically acts like a splitter or multi-adapter. It's a bit like simply wiring extra sockets on their router. I can understand how that wouldn't work if their router device is hard coded to allow only four devices.

A NAT router is different even though it might look much the same. It essentially creates its own network and makes it look like a single device. The ISP would need to be taking some extraordinary and sneaky measures to detect the number of devices on the LAN side of the NAT router.

tetranz · 06-10-2021, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper25

Doesn't every phone, laptop, tablet, etc. have a different mac address which shows up, even if they all are going through one router? So yes, I believe they can see how many devices we have online.

No, a router doesn't pass MAC addresses.

MAC addresses are at layer 2 or data link layer of the network model. Routers work at layer 3 or internet layer. Routers work with IP addresses and a NAT router effectively crunches the IP addresses into one.

(I'm not sure where your comment went

)

Camper25 · 06-10-2021, 09:07 PM

Thanks for the info.

jacwjames · 07-01-2021, 08:35 PM

So I've been out on the road for ~10 days in some pretty isolated areas.

My T-Mobile phone has been pretty much useless. Have not a a signal at most of the out of the way camp sites. I'm at Devils Tower now and the T-Mobile phone is actually connecting with an ATT tower.

The Cricket has performed pretty good. Sometimes the signal has been low but I've been able to connect to the internet. I was at Wind Cave NP and actually got a decent signal, and considering where the campground is was pretty impressive. (T Mobile nothing, nada, zip). At Devils tower I only get 5 bar but good enough to connect to internet. I even set up my phone for Wifi calling.

So the Cricket may not be the cheapest option but so far so good.