Community Forums

Jshopes81 · 07-26-2021, 04:35 PM

Anyone have any infor regarding a permanent hotspot for streaming? We run our hotspots through our phones out in short order and were tired of fighting with park wifi. Any info or direction is appreciated and feel free to have this moved if need be.

TIA!

chiefneon · 07-26-2021, 05:00 PM

Howdy!

We dropped satellite over three years ago and have been streaming ever since. We have three ways to stream ATT, VERIZON and Sprint/T-Mobile. We use the Sprint/T-Mobile we got from FMCA for for only $49.99 a month the most for streaming. Its a unlimited hotspot and we use between 500 to 800gbs a month.

“Happy Trails”
Chiefneon

TriMoot · 07-26-2021, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefneon

Howdy!

We dropped satellite over three years ago and have been streaming ever since. We have three ways to stream ATT, VERIZON and Sprint/T-Mobile. We use the Sprint/T-Mobile we got from FMCA for for only $49.99 a month the most for streaming. Its a unlimited hotspot and we use between 500 to 800gbs a month.

“Happy Trails”
Chiefneon

Hmmm, I’m very interested in this...FMCA and t-mobile plan...care to expound?

We are currently with t-mobile and paying for the extra data but it’s gone at two movies. Also have the visible setup (found here on IRV2) but have no signal on it or my Verizon work phone. Really need help in figuring things out.

TIA

Jshopes81 · 07-26-2021, 06:31 PM

Fmca....fiat? We burn through our att within a couple movies also. No one does a buy once cry once deal?

Roam America · 07-28-2021, 02:06 PM

Welcome to the world of RV’ing. Everyone is going the streaming route but wireless companies don’t sell their service for broadband type use. I’ve not found an economical solution that would make me say I’m cutting my satellite service.

ThunderRidge · 07-28-2021, 02:14 PM

I have been many places with such weak cell service that trying to stream was impossible. My satellite still worked. We have Verizon Beyond Unlimited and stream a lot when we have strong cell signal strength but, still love my satellite.

creativepart · 07-28-2021, 02:26 PM

To answer a part of the OP's question - yes, it's a real plus to give up using your phone as a hotspot and getting a dedicated Mifi/Jetpack/Broadband data device. This device goes by many names - some call it just a "hotspot" but that get confused with phones. I prefer to call it a MiFi as in "mobile wifi" device.

I have two - one for ATT and one for Verizon. One of either of this is probably good 85% of the time, but with two carriers you're covered about 99% of the time.

The best ATT Mifi available right now is the Netgear Nighthawk. And Verizon's top of the line Mifi (they call them Jetpacks) is the Inseego 8800L.

The tough part is getting a data plan that's not just "unlimited" in name but unlimited in high speed data. Virtually all "Unlimited" plans from phone companies limit the data part when used on a MiFi device. Some are 10 gigs or 15 gigs or even 22 gigs per MONTH. But after the limit is passed the speed drops to dial up 2g speed - good for almost nothing.

This does seem to be changing some - there are more 100gb data plans being introduced every month.

Check out www.rvmobileinternet.com for up to the minute changes in these plans. Plus they have all the reviews of MiFi devices, routers, antenna, etc. They don't sell a thing. So you can trust them - but they do charge an annual membership fee for the most detailed info.

If you plan to stream your TV and skip using Satellite TV you'll need lots of gigs - as much as 5-10 gigs a day depending on how much you watch. We watch in the evenings mostly and use 200 to 250 gigs a month.

PS. Don't go into a phone store to get either a data plan or Mifi device. The folks in those stores have no clue what a RVer needs or even means when asking about such plans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH5fNJtN4j8

davo54 · 07-28-2021, 03:04 PM

A couple of months ago we signed up for the FMCA hotspot. They're shipping Inseego m2000 5g hotspot and it is fast. They're still saying it's the Sprint network but it's the TMobile 5g network. Truly unlimited, we're on track to use 2000 gb of data this month and it's never been throttled. We have a Chromecast attached to each tv for streaming Netflix and YouTubetv. $50 month for wifi.

RobbieH · 07-28-2021, 03:07 PM

On AT&T unlimited, I've only been throttled once when I went over 22 gig. In the details, it says they MIGHT throttle based on the usage at the specific tower you are at (I'm obviously paraphrasing) and since I'm mostly always in the middle of nowhere when I'm on it, they don't throttle me.

docj · 07-28-2021, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creativepart

I have two - one for ATT and one for Verizon. One of either of this is probably good 85% of the time, but with two carriers you're covered about 99% of the time.

Right, and if you have service from all three major carriers your chances of having a "streamable" signal is even better.

When I had satellite I still wanted to have an unlimited connection because we streamed a lot of video anyway. When we went to only streaming, the incremental increase in my monthly cellular cost was only slightly more than what I was paying (at that time) on DirecTV. I'm confident that, by now, the costs of satellite would be higher.

jondrew55 · 07-28-2021, 07:08 PM

I prefer streaming, but my wife still likes traditional tv. So we have the pay as you go Dish plan and a Pathway X2 antenna. Even when I can only age 1 or 2 bars of 5GE (whatever that means), I can still stream on my AT&T unlimited plan with minimal trouble.

docj · 07-28-2021, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jondrew55

I prefer streaming, but my wife still likes traditional tv.

With all due respect, I can't see the difference between what I get from YouTube TV and "traditional TV." We have a channel guide, a DVR, I can skip through commercials, etc.

jondrew55 · 07-28-2021, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

With all due respect, I can't see the difference between what I get from YouTube TV and "traditional TV." We have a channel guide, a DVR, I can skip through commercials, etc.

With all due respect, it’s what she likes. She’s fine with commercial breaks and all that other stuff. Doesn’t matter what you or I prefer.

BillJinOR · 07-28-2021, 08:26 PM

My wife felt the same way until she actually used YouTubetv for awhile. It’s virtually the same as satellite tv, but with extra benefits. Same stations same commercials etc. the guide is customizable so you can put your favorite stations all together Try a free week if your curious.I signed up while we used satellite also just to compare.