Community Forums

Jgriff1954 · 04-06-2019, 05:29 PM

It's not the jetpack that's not compatible it's my phone that is not compatible. It's not compatible with AT&T as well.

You see, it's a Huawei phone and the US government doesn't like Huawei so they are not sold in the USA and cell companies in the USA are barred from working with them.

I have an old iPhone SE that I can use for the hotspot but I really want to use my Huawei Mate 20 Pro. The camera is awesome as well as other features and I guess I will have to carry 2 phones when on the road.

Having said that I might just get the Spectrum service at the CG and get a data card from another company here in Canada for road trips and forget about having a hotspot.

Jgriff1954 · 04-06-2019, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

I have a similar situation at a campground in Michigan where I spend several months a year. I would get the Spectrum Service for sure. Even if you can connect to the campground service, it will be slow and unreliable. The Spectrum account will be fast, reliable, and truly unlimited. All the other wifi and cellular options discussed here will have data and/or speed limits, even the ones that are touted as unlimited. I pay $45 a month for Spectrum-type service at my campsite, which is cheaper than the Verizon cellular, and is faster, more reliable, and truly unlimited. Even if the Spectrum costs a little more it will cover all your devices and is well worth it.

I agree with you Marc. I think that is defiantly the way to go for me since my phone can't be used in the US.

Jgriff1954 · 04-06-2019, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

I have a similar situation at a campground in Michigan where I spend several months a year. I would get the Spectrum Service for sure. Even if you can connect to the campground service, it will be slow and unreliable. The Spectrum account will be fast, reliable, and truly unlimited. All the other wifi and cellular options discussed here will have data and/or speed limits, even the ones that are touted as unlimited. I pay $45 a month for Spectrum-type service at my campsite, which is cheaper than the Verizon cellular, and is faster, more reliable, and truly unlimited. Even if the Spectrum costs a little more it will cover all your devices and is well worth it.

A question for you if I may.

Do you also have wifi with the modem ?

Brecklundin · 04-07-2019, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgriff1954

I like the idea of this and found some inexpensive 7730I boxes on eBay as well.

Unfortunately when I go to the Verizon site and put in my IMEI number they say my phone is not compatible.
Being that my phone is a Huawei Mate 20 Pro I might not be able to get any hotspot service in the USA. [emoji25]

Your phone doesn't enter the equation. Its just the Jetpack that you buy, slap a SIM card in it, sign up for the Prepaid Verizon Jetpack Hotspot Unlimited. You don't need phone service with Verizon.

The Jetpack connects to Verizon network via cellular. Your phone, computer and other devices can connect to hotspot via wifi. Then off ya go.

It sounds more complicated than it is... oh. if you don't setup online go yo Verizon Store and they include the SIM card for the Jetpack free of charge.

Oh, if you buy a SIM make sure it's not one packaged on a red card...i bought one gor a few bucks then learned those are old depreciated cards. I found out by accident reading online but tried anyway and yup, failed activation. Verizon overnighted me a $3 SIM card...feels like the old IBM.

You can even connect a router to the Jetpack but so far I'm good with using the networking part of the Jetpack for now.

Jgriff1954 · 04-07-2019, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brecklundin

Your phone doesn't enter the equation. Its just the Jetpack that you buy, slap a SIM card in it, sign up for the Prepaid Verizon Jetpack Hotspot Unlimited. You don't need phone service with Verizon.

The Jetpack connects to Verizon network via cellular. Your phone, computer and other devices can connect to hotspot via wifi. Then off ya go.

It sounds more complicated than it is... oh. if you don't setup online go yo Verizon Store and they include the SIM card for the Jetpack free of charge.

Oh, if you buy a SIM make sure it's not one packaged on a red card...i bought one gor a few bucks then learned those are old depreciated cards. I found out by accident reading online but tried anyway and yup, failed activation. Verizon overnighted me a $3 SIM card...feels like the old IBM.

You can even connect a router to the Jetpack but so far I'm good with using the networking part of the Jetpack for now.

Thanks Brecklundin

I understand it now. Much appreciated. [emoji16][emoji16]

Jgriff1954 · 04-07-2019, 09:01 AM

Hi Brecklundin
I just thought of one more question.
Will it work if I buy a jetpack on eBay and take it in to a Version store or do I need to purchase one from the Verizon store ?
Thanks

docj · 04-07-2019, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgriff1954

Hi Brecklundin
I just thought of one more question.
Will it work if I buy a jetpack on eBay and take it in to a Version store or do I need to purchase one from the Verizon store ?
Thanks

Plenty of people have successfully purchased used Jetpacks. The only thing that matters is the SIM you get from Verizon to put into it.

Jgriff1954 · 04-07-2019, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

Plenty of people have successfully purchased used Jetpacks. The only thing that matters is the SIM you get from Verizon to put into it.

Thanks again. You made my day. My wife will be so happy on the drive down to So.Cal from Canada. After we cross the border of course.

docj · 04-07-2019, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgriff1954

Thanks again. You made my day. My wife will be so happy on the drive down to So.Cal from Canada. After we cross the border of course.

Now if you Canadians would only have an equally affordable plan for those of us who spend the summer up north.

Our Verizon Unlimited phones will give us ~0.5GB/day/per phone but that's limited to 60 days. Not sure what I'm going to do with the rest of the time we're there.

Jgriff1954 · 04-07-2019, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

Now if you Canadians would only have an equally affordable plan for those of us who spend the summer up north.

Our Verizon Unlimited phones will give us ~0.5GB/day/per phone but that's limited to 60 days. Not sure what I'm going to do with the rest of the time we're there.

That's the truth. We have, from what our news programs tell us, that we have some of the highest rates in the world. [emoji35] [emoji35]

Telus mobility has hotspots here

https://www.telus.com/en/bc/mobility...mobileInternet.

docj · 04-07-2019, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgriff1954

That's the truth. We have, from what our news programs tell us, that we have some of the highest rates in the world. [emoji35] [emoji35]

Not only are your rates high, your carriers insist on having a Canadian address and credit profile (just as the ones in the US do). So except for some rather expensive prepaid plans there's not much we can use.

Fortunately, my Verizon plans provide up to 0.5GB/day of LTE data while in Canada with free calls and texts. They only do that for 60 days but I can use my Google Pixel 2 as a Google Fi phone for the rest of the time.

Brecklundin · 04-07-2019, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

Not only are your rates high, your carriers insist on having a Canadian address and credit profile (just as the ones in the US do). So except for some rather expensive prepaid plans there's not much we can use.

Fortunately, my Verizon plans provide up to 0.5GB/day of LTE data while in Canada with free calls and texts. They only do that for 60 days but I can use my Google Pixel 2 as a Google Fi phone for the rest of the time.

fyi, with a prepaid service from Metro you can get unlimited use to Canukia (Canucks, right? [emoji14]) and Mexico and i believe it also works if you are in Canada/Mexico but i don't pay attention to the details.

Of course that's for a US based account. I was not at all aware of the country restrictions on actually being from that country. That's nuts...

Still I'd suggest the OP checkout Metro (they always want new customers find a inexpensive plan.

Hmmmm, what if the OP's Canadian service allows WIFI calling? If so perhaps they can do everything wifi calling through the mifi? They pretty much can take the hotspot wherever they go. Just add an extra battery or two to keep the mifi running?

They make this soooo dang complicated.

Jgriff1954 · 04-07-2019, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brecklundin

fyi, with a prepaid service from Metro you can get unlimited use to Canukia (Canucks, right? [emoji14]) and Mexico and i believe it also works if you are in Canada/Mexico but i don't pay attention to the details.

Of course that's for a US based account. I was not at all aware of the country restrictions on actually being from that country. That's nuts...

Still I'd suggest the OP checkout Metro (they always want new customers find a inexpensive plan.

Hmmmm, what if the OP's Canadian service allows WIFI calling? If so perhaps they can do everything wifi calling through the mifi? They pretty much can take the hotspot wherever they go. Just add an extra battery or two to keep the mifi running?

They make this soooo dang complicated.

We use Facebook to call for free when we have wifi or cell. My wife is from Thailand and she talks to her family daily for no money other than our cell plans.

I will look into Metro. Thanks again for the suggestion.

SkiSmuggs · 04-09-2019, 04:31 PM

After buying an open box Jetpack 7730L off eBay, thinking about either the $45 15GB or $65 unlimited plan, I happened to review my FMCA benefits and saw that I can get both a Jetpack 8800 and unlimited for $50/month. And that is is what I am going to do while I try to sell the 7730L.