Forum Discussion

PNW_Steve's avatar
PNW_Steve
Explorer
Aug 08, 2019

AT&T Hot-spot performance?

Hello Everyone,

I purchased an AT&T / Nether hot-spot. I have played with it extensively at home and it has worked great. But.... We didn't buy it for home. We bought it so we could have internet connectivity while away from home.

Unfortunately, the device performance, away from home, has been dismal.

The troubles range from constantly rebooting to showing 3-4 bars of signal but not showing connected to AT&T. After several reboots it will connect. The connection lasts anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours. It appears to be worse during the day than early morning or late evening.

Has anyone here run into similar problems? I called AT&T and had no success.

I am wondering if my hot-spot may be defective or if AT&T's service is just that bad?

What do you all think?
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Aug 08, 2019
    The problem with almost all "hotspot" devices is that they have very poor internal antennas. When you are camping, it is typically not close to a cell tower so you have a weaker signal. Some of the aftermarket hotspots (cell phone data to WiFi converter) do have external antennas and they make a big difference.

    Typically, you just swap the SIM card.
  • RobWNY's avatar
    RobWNY
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2019
    Big Katuna wrote:
    I use OTR (ATT service) with a Velocity 2 puck and it works great.
    I bought a month and let it lapsed and it took them a day to restart it but oh well.

    When I reupped I learned that OTR is raising its rates soon.

    ATT 4G is not as fast (5-10 gbs) as my Verizon iPhone 4LTE 15-25gbs but V throttles the data rate often.

    I would buy it again.

    I might add that I also use a Weboost RV cell amp that greatly enhances reliability and speed.

    Do you know how much the rate increase? Because you reupped before the increase are you grandfathered in or will you pay more also?
  • vermilye's avatar
    vermilye
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2019
    I'd suspect the hotspot. I use a Mobley, and if I have AT&T coverage, it never shuts down or reboots.
  • magicbus's avatar
    magicbus
    Explorer II
    Aug 08, 2019
    Do you mean a Netgear hotspot? I had two Netgear Utile Explore units that kept rebooting and had connection issues. I switched to a Netgear 4G LTE Modem and a tp-link router and they work great.

    Dave
  • Big_Katuna's avatar
    Big_Katuna
    Explorer II
    Aug 08, 2019
    I use OTR (ATT service) with a Velocity 2 puck and it works great.
    I bought a month and let it lapsed and it took them a day to restart it but oh well.

    When I reupped I learned that OTR is raising its rates soon.

    ATT 4G is not as fast (5-10 gbs) as my Verizon iPhone 4LTE 15-25gbs but V throttles the data rate often.

    I would buy it again.

    I might add that I also use a Weboost RV cell amp that greatly enhances reliability and speed.
  • RobWNY's avatar
    RobWNY
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2019
    Well now you have me worried Steve. I've been considering OTR Mobile. They offer a $60/month unlimited deal but if AT&T isn't going to work well, then I will have to rethink things
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    Aug 08, 2019
    My AT&T Netgear Unite Explore 815s hotspot has worked well for us in many areas with few reception problems. I did just have to replace a swelling battery, but Amazon Prime had a new battery in my hands overnight.
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2019
    I have a $45 phone from ATT pay as you go, I use the hotspot on it for everything I do on line. It always works if I have at least one bar.

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