Community Forums

docj · 04-09-2019, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

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.

You might want to read the "small print" on the FMCA plan a bit more closely. Sure, it has "unlimited data" but that doesn't mean that the data is all at LTE speeds. I've attached a screen shot from the FAQs about the plan. If you don't believe me go read it yourself.

Brecklundin · 04-09-2019, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

You might want to read the "small print" on the FMCA plan a bit more closely. Sure, it has "unlimited data" but that doesn't mean that the data is all at LTE speeds. I've attached a screen shot from the FAQs about the plan. If you don't believe me go read it yourself.

nice catch Doc...

SkiSmuggs · 04-10-2019, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

You might want to read the "small print" on the FMCA plan a bit more closely. Sure, it has "unlimited data" but that doesn't mean that the data is all at LTE speeds. I've attached a screen shot from the FAQs about the plan. If you don't believe me go read it yourself.

Thanks, I was aware of that. But consider 15GB for $45 prepaid (normally 8GB, but this is a promotion) or unlimited prepaid for $65 where you can be prioritized lower than the contract plan. To use 25GB, I would have to be streaming videos every evening and that won't be happening. So the FMCA plan still looks good to me. The one thing I did notice from reading again is that this looks like a 2 year contract plan vs prepaid, but includes the newest hotspot for $.01.
The advantage to the prepaid plans, is that I can cancel at anytime by just not making the payment. The $65 unlimited prepaid requires auto pay or it is $70, so a little harder to get out of. But the $49.99 plan is a two year commitment, so I do need to give that more thought. The $45 prepaid would probably meet my needs which are to supplement crappy campground RV WiFi and we are not full time. Then I keep the 7730L and just get a SIM and start the plan from any Verizon reseller vs going to a Verizon corporate store for the FMCA plan.

SkiSmuggs · 04-10-2019, 07:08 AM

And just to muddy the waters there is this in the fine print:

Can I suspend my data plan when I’m not using it?

Verizon's standard suspension policy allows you to suspend your service up to 90 days, twice a year. You have 2 options for how you'll be billed while your device is suspended:

With billing - You'll be billed for all services and features during the suspension period. However, your contract and upgrade eligibility dates won't be impacted.
Reduced rate billing - You can suspend at a reduced rate of $10/mo. Monthly device payments will continue under your device payment agreement. If you choose this option, your contract and upgrade eligibility dates will be extended for however long your line is suspended.

CWSWine · 04-10-2019, 08:05 AM

SkiSmuggs
I would look hard at your data usage steaming, most people don't realize how much data services like Netflix use. Here a quote from a FAQ.

"Watching TV shows or movies on Netflix uses about 1 GB of data per hour for each stream of standard definition video, and up to 3 GB per hour for each stream of HD video. Downloading and streaming consume a similar amount of data."

The quote from the FAQ references a "Contract" and there isn't contact for the Pre Paid Jetpack. There is a 10.00 reconnect fee but most Verizon office will wave that fee.

I have been in two areas that my Jetpack couldn't stream video but my phone was also unable to stream and both my phone and jetpack showed the same throughput using speed test dot net.

docj · 04-10-2019, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

Thanks, I was aware of that. But consider 15GB for $45 prepaid (normally 8GB, but this is a promotion) or unlimited prepaid for $65 where you can be prioritized lower than the contract plan. To use 25GB, I would have to be streaming videos every evening and that won't be happening. So the FMCA plan still looks good to me. The one thing I did notice from reading again is that this looks like a 2 year contract plan vs prepaid, but includes the newest hotspot for $.01.
The advantage to the prepaid plans, is that I can cancel at anytime by just not making the payment. The $65 unlimited prepaid requires auto pay or it is $70, so a little harder to get out of. But the $49.99 plan is a two year commitment, so I do need to give that more thought. The $45 prepaid would probably meet my needs which are to supplement crappy campground RV WiFi and we are not full time. Then I keep the 7730L and just get a SIM and start the plan from any Verizon reseller vs going to a Verizon corporate store for the FMCA plan.

We've been using the Unlimited Prepaid plan since the beginning of November and the prioritization issue has not affected to stream nearly every evening. I think only twice in that entire time have I switched to my phone's hotspot due to a brief slowdown on the prepaid device.

You should do what's best for you but IMO 25GB for ~$50 vs $65 for unlimited data is a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. We stream most nights and use ~100-150GB/mo and that's even with streaming being automatically constrained to 720p on the prepaid device. I noticed on my WiFiRanger's data usage summary that we used nearly 12GB a couple of days ago. I'm not sure what we were binging on that day, but it does show that very high usage is possible. With an unlimited plan one doesn't have to worry.

As for "autopay" making it more complicated to cancel a prepaid service, I have no idea what your concern about that is. I can go online to my prepaid account and cancel the autopay instantly anytime I wish. Service isn't affected by cancelling autopay; the price merely goes back to the full $70 at the next renewal.

Joel (AKA docj)

SkiSmuggs · 04-10-2019, 01:43 PM

DocJ (Joel), I really appreciate your input about your experience. Given that I can suspend the service for two 90 day periods a year ($10/month during suspension), the unlimited plan is looking pretty good. As stated, I have an unused open box 7730L and while not an 8800L, is still a good unit.

docj · 04-10-2019, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

DocJ (Joel), I really appreciate your input about your experience. Given that I can suspend the service for two 90 day periods a year ($10/month during suspension), the unlimited plan is looking pretty good. As stated, I have an unused open box 7730L and while not an 8800L, is still a good unit.

And I'll thank you right back for that information about suspending service. We're going to be in Canada for >2 months and the plan will be useless to us there. Suspending for those months will save us >$100!

SkiSmuggs · 04-10-2019, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

And I'll thank you right back for that information about suspending service. We're going to be in Canada for >2 months and the plan will be useless to us there. Suspending for those months will save us >$100!

That was from the FMCA plan, but you should be able to do something similar via the prepaid plan. I would prefer a low cost suspension to stopping and restarting the service.
Eric

CWSWine · 04-10-2019, 07:14 PM

The Version prepaid plan doesn't have the 10 dollars per month fee all it has 10 restart fee. If you don't pay for 3 months all you have to pay is the 10 dollar restart fee. The Version Prepaid is a month to month plan and there is no contract.

gladu2 · 04-14-2019, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

Thanks, I was aware of that. But consider 15GB for $45 prepaid (normally 8GB, but this is a promotion) or unlimited prepaid for $65 where you can be prioritized lower than the contract plan. .......

There's a difference in devices that can be used for Verizon's $45 15GB prepaid plan and the $65 Unlimited Prepaid Jetpack Plan. The $45 15GB Prepaid Plan is for phones only, it does though include a hotspot feature. Since we now have a 7730L Jetpack on the $65 Prepaid Unlimited plan, I no longer needed 4 family phones on one of Verizon's old post paid unlimited plans I was paying $220 per month for. I took them all off that plan and put them on the Prepaid Family plan merging them with the Jetpack into the family plan to get another $15 discount per month on each phone (instead of $45 15GB, only $30 per month 15GB each phone) So now we are paying $185 per month for 4 phone's 15GB each and our Jetpack unlimited plan included, saving us $1200 per year over what we were paying. BTW, our Jetpack is rarely de-prioritized that I can tell, we can almost always stream Netflix on the road with it if we have a couple of bars and still do it with one bar using our Weboost.

YOW2PBI · 04-14-2019, 03:19 PM

Hi there. I noticed this thread and lots of people had suggestions, mostly good.

Since I then noticed Canada I thought I would add my 2 cents worth, almost 3 cents USD!

We use our Rogers HotSpot while travelling in our home country but then switch to a Sprint HotSpot when we are in the US for the winter months. It's currently costing me just $55/month for truly unlimited streaming and the speed is mostly excellent as long as you're not REALLY in the boonies.

So that means no issue with watching movies, some TV channels and multiple devices can access at the same time.

The Rogers plan isn't as generous but we don't do as much travel in Canada vs. the USA so it hasn't been an issue.

Hope you enjoy the journey!

JOHN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgriff1954

Hello all

I have read a lot of threads about wifi and using hotspot devices.

I am not a wifi/smartphone savy person.

What I am wondering and hope someone can help me is that I am going to So Cal in the winter and the RV Resort I am staying at only lets you have one device for free on their wifi. They have told me that I would need to get a company called Spectrum to arrange for internet service if I want more than one device on the internet.

I will only be at the resort for 3 months before heading back home so I'm not to sure about having a internet service installed for 3 months.

I have a smart TV with wifi and chromecast, so I can send movies from my laptop to the TV. I also have apps on the TV , Netflix , that I like to watch. Also my wife will want to use her laptop and cell phone as well.

My question is, can I get on the resort's wifi with my smartphone and use it as a hotspot for the other devices ? I have a new smartphone that does have the ability to share.

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Pappion · 04-14-2019, 04:41 PM

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) can protect you from snooping on public WIFI. Are you banking online? Trading stocks? Shopping?
Briefly, when turned on it will encrypt your communications. So your point of use (phone, tablet, PC) has a secure connection to the VPN server. From there it goes out to the web.
I use AVAST VPN. It allows 5 devices. Cost is reasonable. It is a bit slower than the high priced ones. Well, It's easy to turn On and Off. Off is good for surfing or streaming.
There are many VPN reviews on the web.

McLee · 04-14-2019, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firedoc

We use a Mobley 20$/month unlimited, no slow down from ATT. Seems to be working fine so far. Absolutely hate dealing with ATT though.

We have a Mobley as well. The only problem is thay were offered fo onlyr a limited tims. I think they may have recently opened up subscriptios again. Check with AT&T.

We have had good servifce from the Mobley. They supposedly throttle back at 21G, but we have not noticed.

BTW, I recntly saw at the T Mobile store a similar service. You might chekc with them.