Community Forums

BriVal · 03-14-2021, 04:18 PM

We are brand new to RVing. We are both retired full time and have a 2020 Newmar Dutch Star 4081. We are curious what most RVers use for internet. We both have unlimited Verizon data plans and can use it as a hotspot, but after 5GB of streaming, the internet slows down to the point it just circles looking for internet. What is the best kind of internet used. We don’t care about the cost, we just want strong internet without using out phone or iPad as a hotspot with slow internet after 5GB?

JohnBike · 03-14-2021, 04:27 PM

Until Elon Musk finishes polluting the night sky with his Starlink satellites, there is no universal internet solution for rv travelers. It’s all a very “depends” situation. Depends on how much you’re willing to spend, where you are in relation to cellular coverage, whether the campground has WiFi, and so on.
There is almost no way to get the extent of internet access you might have at home without limiting your stays to parks with WiFi or cable.

Nildecaf · 03-14-2021, 06:36 PM

Check out Mobile Internet Resource Center
https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/gui...le-and-sprint/
They were somewhat helpful when we started out full time.
We manage to get by with commercial campground WiFi using our MIMO rooftop WiFi extender plus Verizon cell hotspot when we have to. We only use the cell hotspot for important data (trip planning, email, etc.) and never for streaming tv to conserve data under the performance data caps.
I know some campers also subscribe to more than once cell provider to improve their coverage options.

BriVal · 03-14-2021, 10:40 PM

Thank you everyone for all the input, very good ideas so far. We will be winging it, and pray we survive this trip without any disasters. One thing for sure we have fun and laugh about everything included our worst diapers. Life is way to short to stress about things. Whatever happens, We will get through it with a smile on our face and move on waiting for the next funny adventure. Got to love life! Love life with no regrets. You only live once and you take take your material things and cash with you! So Say some prayers for us, we’re going to need it. Haha

stinger608 · 03-15-2021, 08:53 AM

You can also take a look at this thread:

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f53/40-m...ed-442091.html

Mainly reading what he says and the links in post #10.

It is a true unlimited service provided through Verizon.

MSHappyCampers · 03-16-2021, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BriVal

Thank you everyone for all the input, very good ideas so far. We will be winging it, and pray we survive this trip without any disasters. One thing for sure we have fun and laugh about everything included our worst diapers. Life is way to short to stress about things. Whatever happens, We will get through it with a smile on our face and move on waiting for the next funny adventure. Got to love life! Love life with no regrets. You only live once and you take take your material things and cash with you! So Say some prayers for us, we’re going to need it. Haha

With an attitude like that you can't lose! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

timjet · 03-19-2021, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BriVal

We are brand new to RVing.
Snip
We don’t care about the cost, we just want strong internet without using out phone or iPad as a hotspot with slow internet after 5GB?

Not too many people can say that, but you should be able to get a cellular MiFi unit from Verizon or AT&T with unlimited data. If they throttle you perhaps for a fee they will remove any restriction or just buy a second hotspot and accompanying plan.

tcgoetz · 03-19-2021, 06:37 AM

My wife and I are used to having a gigabit internet connection at home. We work remote and use a lot of bandwidth. We wanted to be able to work form the RV sometimes and have our usual internet based entertainment options. We decided to install a mobile cellular router: https://blog.tom-goetz.org/2020/12/r...ectronics.html

tetranz · 03-19-2021, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcgoetz

My wife and I are used to having a gigabit internet connection at home. We work remote and use a lot of bandwidth. We wanted to be able to work form the RV sometimes and have our usual internet based entertainment options. We decided to install a mobile cellular router: https://blog.tom-goetz.org/2020/12/r...ectronics.html

Looks good but what data plan do you have for that? I have something similar but the biggest challenge seems to be finding a data plan. There are very few legit plans for routers with significant data allowance.

You can take your chances wth a phone or tablet plan which might work for a long time but you never know when it will raise an "approved device" flag at the carrier and be at risk of being shut down.

Of course there are numerous reseller plans too but they tend to come and go and many of them have some doubt about them as to how legitimate they really are.

docj · 03-19-2021, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tetranz

Of course there are numerous reseller plans too but they tend to come and go and many of them have some doubt about them as to how legitimate they really are.

IMHO your comment about reseller plans is unnecessarily pejorative. Yes, reseller plans come and go but, usually, they last for ~6 mos or more. As long as you don't mind having to look for another one after your current one fails, they can provide you with good value.

As for the "legitimacy" of such plans, when one segment of the community knowingly uses "iPad plans" in stand-alone hotspots and another uses "Mobley connected car plans" in all sorts of devices other than Mobley's, it's hard to talk about legitimacy and keep a straight face. IMO the general rule of thumb is that "if it works, use it" until such time as the situation changes.

tetranz · 03-19-2021, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

IMO the general rule of thumb is that "if it works, use it" until such time as the situation changes.

Yeah, I pretty much adopt that attitude myself so I don't really have a problem with it. I was just pointing out something that may not be always be obvious. I've seen plenty of YouTube videos etc talking about installing routers and it's just a given that they put a phone plan in it without even a comment or a second thought that this is not really what you're supposed to do so at least understand the risks.

tcgoetz · 03-19-2021, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tetranz

Looks good but what data plan do you have for that? I have something similar but the biggest challenge seems to be finding a data plan. There are very few legit plans for routers with significant data allowance.

I have a TMobile 100GB plan and a Cricket 100GB plan for now. Will be evaluating current plans and other plans for best match more in the season.

AnotherMike · 03-19-2021, 11:24 AM

Cricket is a discount reseller that piggybacks on AT&T's network, which means it offers the same geographical coverage.

tetranz · 03-19-2021, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcgoetz

I have a TMobile 100GB plan and a Cricket 100GB plan for now. Will be evaluating current plans and other plans for best match more in the season.

Okay cool. Those are both good router plans. I think they're pretty much the only two genuine router plans that a normal consumer can buy direct from a carrier or MVNO.

Unfortunately Cricket recently made many routers incompatible that were previously compatible, including my Pepwave so that's crossed off my list now.