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Topic: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone (Read 1431 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone

Reply #25 –
Useless Information Department:
Verizon is the only cell outfit with an emergency generator at every site, until they took over the Alltel operation where they are slowly adding generators.  Alltel was a low budget cell operator from my view.
Other providers mostly have generator systems in the high population areas.
FWIW

Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone

Reply #26 –
Quote from: Merle Hench –
Greetings all,

Looking for a little guidance in choosing what equipment/services would be best suited for my situation. I've done some poking around, but find the more I learn the more confused I become. With no mobile experience I find myself lost. Also, in looking for user experiences with various setups, it seems they all have one or more issues.

The existing setup on my 91 U225 is somewhat dated - not much use for an antenna anymore. It's been removed, along with all the TVs in the coach. Am going fulltiming, planning to boondock in remote areas mostly, both in Canada and the US. Not interested in cable TV, or any TV services at all. All I'm after is internet service and some kind of phone service. I will be installing a flat screen monitor/TV for use with my computer and for watching DVD movies on occasion.

Seems some kind of satellite system would be best suited for my needs, but most seem to be geared towards TV services and I'm not interested in that. Don't need anything fancy or complicated, and price is very much an object. I'm still digging and reading, but trying to save some time and am very interested in people's experiences with various service providers and their equipment.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom would be much appreciated. Thanks.  :)

Steve

Hey Steve,
We ended up using Millenicom for our internet service fulltiming.  We both have iPhones via ATT but decided against their "unlimited data plan" of 4 or 5 G's I think.  Seems the phone carriers have all redefined "unlimited" to mean "up to" 5 G's.

Millenicom's unlimited plan is truly unlimited.  I do quite a bit of music editing where I need to download large files then send the edited versions back.  We also are suckers for Netflix.  Haven't had any problems thus far with 'em - 3 months.  The slowest speed I've had so far has been a little faster than dial-up.  Usual speed has been almost as fast as back home with cable.  They charge a flat rate depending upon the plan you want and there is no contract or taxes.  Check 'em out.


Bill Jackson & Kim Sweeney
2013 27' Lazy Daze RK
2002 U320 PBDS 36' Build 5941 (Sold)
1999 U320 40' (Sold)
2005 Country Coach Intrigue 40' (Sold)

Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Bill Jackson –
Hey Steve,
We ended up using Millenicom for our internet service fulltiming.  We both have iPhones via ATT but decided against their "unlimited data plan" of 4 or 5 G's I think.  Seems the phone carriers have all redefined "unlimited" to mean "up to" 5 G's.

Millenicom's unlimited plan is truly unlimited.  I do quite a bit of music editing where I need to download large files then send the edited versions back.  We also are suckers for Netflix.  Haven't had any problems thus far with 'em - 3 months.  The slowest speed I've had so far has been a little faster than dial-up.  Usual speed has been almost as fast as back home with cable.  They charge a flat rate depending upon the plan you want and there is no contract or taxes.  Check 'em out.

Well Bill - you've got my interest peaked. I also do a lot of music editing - in fact, am in the process of transferring as much of my 24 track recording setup and instruments into the coach as I can. This is proving to be a challenge. The e-drums just aren't going to make it.  ;) Most everything else will, though. Several of the people I collaborate with now have talked about swapping files after I go mobile, but I didn't think I'd have the access or bandwidth.

Definitely going to look into Millenicom. Thanks.

Steve

1991 U225 Grand Villa

Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Merle Hench –
Well Bill - you've got my interest peaked. I also do a lot of music editing - in fact, am in the process of transferring as much of my 24 track recording setup and instruments into the coach as I can. This is proving to be a challenge. The e-drums just aren't going to make it.  ;) Most everything else will, though. Several of the people I collaborate with now have talked about swapping files after I go mobile, but I didn't think I'd have the access or bandwidth.
Definitely going to look into Millenicom. Thanks.
Steve 

Definitly can do file swap.  Not as quick as what I had at the house with cable modem but seeing as how I can be anywhere and still do my tweaks, I'm happy.  Am using protools on the road.  I do my drums in the studio (Noble & Cooley  8) ) then clean 'em up later on the road.  Vocal & acoustic stuff is easiest and usually not any problem (so far), with Millenicom. 

Edrums sound to me like the lights are on but nobody's home...  ::)


PM me with your set up and layout.  Sounds interesting.  What do you play?
Bill Jackson & Kim Sweeney
2013 27' Lazy Daze RK
2002 U320 PBDS 36' Build 5941 (Sold)
1999 U320 40' (Sold)
2005 Country Coach Intrigue 40' (Sold)

Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone

Reply #29 –
Checked into Millenicom - coverage in the US only. That's a dealbreaker, as I expect to be in Canada 1/2 my time. Will keep looking into what's out there.

Steve
1991 U225 Grand Villa

Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone

Reply #30 –
We use Verizon for cellular phone service and a Verizon datacard and they have worked reasonably well in remote places out west. We also use a Wilson cellular amplifier and a Cradlepoint cellular router.

You might want to consider Millenicom for datacard service. They are a reseller and don't use the same carrier for all plans. The Advanced Plan is 20 GB and is on Verizon with no contract. I believe most if not all of the other plans are with Sprint but not sure about that.

I am considering switching to their Advanced Plan due to the 20 GB limit and the cost is 59.99.

Jim

Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone

Reply #31 –
Quote from: Jim –
We use Verizon for cellular phone service and a Verizon datacard.... also use a Wilson cellular amplifier and a Cradlepoint cellular router.
We also use Verizon for cell phone, with an Advanced Plan (20 GB on Verizon footprint) from Millenicom for data (USB 760 modem) - and it works very well.  On rare occasions we have used our Cradlepoint MBR1000 router to share the signal between our two laptops.

We've been wondering about whether to purchase a cellular amplifier to boost the signal for the cell phones (voice - very simple flip phones - no text, no pix).  Which model do you use?  Permanently mounted external antenna?  What type of internal antenna do you use - or is it connected to the Cradlepoint?

Thanks!
The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone

Reply #32 –
Quote from: Merle Hench –
Checked into Millenicom - coverage in the US only. That's a dealbreaker, as I expect to be in Canada 1/2 my time. Will keep looking into what's out there. Steve 

Bummer...  :(  I understand that if you do go outside the US, their rates begin to look like a bank bailout.


Quote from: Patricia –
We've been wondering about whether to purchase a cellular amplifier to boost the signal for the cell phones (voice - very simple flip phones - no text, no pix).  Which model do you use?  Permanently mounted external antenna?  What type of internal antenna do you use - or is it connected to the Cradlepoint? Thanks! 


Am also interested in this set up and if the amplifier is worth the cost of adding it.


Quote from: Jim –
I am considering switching to their Advanced Plan due to the 20 GB limit and the cost is 59.99.
Jim


$10 more for unlimited...  ^.^d  hello Netflix marathon!
Bill Jackson & Kim Sweeney
2013 27' Lazy Daze RK
2002 U320 PBDS 36' Build 5941 (Sold)
1999 U320 40' (Sold)
2005 Country Coach Intrigue 40' (Sold)

Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Bill Jackson –
$10 more for unlimited...  ^.^d  hello Netflix marathon!
Note that Millenicom's unlimited plan is only on the Sprint network, and the advanced plan (20 GB) is only on the Verizon network.... The choice of network may or may not be an issue depending on where you need to use the service.  FWIW
The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone

Reply #34 –
Ahhh, it gets ever more confusing.  ;D

Yes, those roaming charges do add up, don't they? I have a very old cell plan, $18.99 a month. Made two calls from Florida when I picked up the coach in April - my bill was over $60 - so $40 for two 5 minute calls. I miss payphones.

My ideal would be a simple satellite link with Internet and VOIP communications for a flat fee regardless where I am. I am dreaming...  ;)
 
Steve
1991 U225 Grand Villa

Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone

Reply #35 –
Having used both AT&T and Verizon, it's a hands down choice for Verizon.  AT&T is great in cities and interstates.  Bit faster than Verizon. Terrible in small town off the beaten path.  All Verizon towers are 3G.  Canada makes things harder.  Verizon MiFi will support 5 devices.  We use ours with a Cradlepoint 1000 router.  Hughesnet is an option, but slow and pricy.
Jerry Elkins
2004 Holiday Rambler Scepter
2018 Mini Cooper Clubman
Border Collies Isabelle & Baxter
Kerrville Tx.  78028