Cellular Internet

Good write up! I use Sprint for the family plan for our smart phones (3 Samsung S4's and one iPhone 5) mainly because they have unlimited data, and monthly plan cost is less than either AT&T or Verizon.

Sprint built their coverage around interstates, main roads, and cities, and they are rapidly building out 4G LTE (they are behind due to their failed Wimax 4G initiative), so most of the time data coverage is fine. Sprint also roams on the Verizon network, so I have never been in a place where I couldn't get voice service. Data service while roaming is another issue, since Verizon pushes Sprint roaming users down to 1xRTT, which is painfully slow.

I also have a Pantech mifi hotspot on the Verizon network, which gives me 5GB/mo for $50. Even in the remotest areas, you'll still get 3G on Verizon in the unlikely case 4G is not there yet. When using the Verizon hotspot, I can link the smart phones to it via wifi so no loss of utility there.

Just wanted to add another perspective.

It is a very good article. Verizon does offer lower priced plans now, comparable to AT&T. I think mention of stand alone cellular hotspots should be included. I think 2.75G is confusing to most people, just refer to it as early 3G Edge with slower speeds.

Great write up. We use ours whenever wifi isn't available. Also using your smartphone hotspot is a secure connection. I wouldn't want to do any banking or even ordering products on a campground wifi.

As in all of your articles, Mike, well written, organized and composed. The topics you choose always are relevant, especially for me in my constant form of boondocking.

You have covered it well and I would just like to point out, that I come across many RV'rs that have a perfectly good Cell provider where they live, and have done their research for the best service and rates. Unfortunately these factors don't always transfer to areas of limited cell/internet coverage. Such as, Sprint. Many of the smaller cell providers will be very competitive and their advertising will be true for populated and traveled corridors. But once your travels take you into rural and remote areas, that begins to show how narrow these services are.

Just as America was experiencing electrifying rural areas of the early 20th Century, government subsidies encouraged Rural Electric Companies, as well as small Telephone providers to string wires into once never reached remote and rural areas. The same thing is occurring with cell/internet services as being wireless is economically feasible for places like the farthest reaches of Wyoming and Alaska. I have even had cell/internet service in my backcountry tent in Yellowstone, while it was not available at the trailhead!

If you are traveling in areas known for limited cell service, check your available coverage by Apps that are available for Android and IOS smartphones. I have found their mapping exceedingly accurate and frequently updated. For now, Verizon is hands down the most available service for those that travel in remote areas and boondock. How do I know this? I have AT&T (Smartphone) and Verizon (WiFi Hotspot) and am able to see them working side by side.

Thanks, Mike. You do the work and I enjoy the fruits of your research!

b

bka0721 wrote:
Such as, Sprint. Many of the smaller cell providers will be very competitive and their advertising will be true for populated and traveled corridors. But once your travels take you into rural and remote areas, that begins to show how narrow these services are.

The only thing that saves Sprint is their roaming agreement with Verizon. As I said, it works fine for voice but not for data off the beaten path. I agree that Verizon is probably the best overall network, the problem is they know that and charge accordingly....

I don't have a smart phone and have never used a cell phone for data transfer, so I don't understand much about this. I am interested in using a cell phone as a hot spot (I am years out of contract, so I am sure AT&T would like to keep me as a customer) so a new phone is almost a given soon. I am really unclear on the "unlimited data" plan you spoke of. Does that really mean unlimited in every sense with no "throttling" after a certain amount? Unlimited in my case meaning Netflix and like services. Thanks in advance.

I use T-mobile on a Samsung Galaxy S-III, bit easier to activate the HotSpot and yes I did password protect it (You might have mentioned WHY you choose a password.. I do not wish others burning up my allotment.. One phone with 6.5 Gig high speed and unlimited watch grass grow is slightly rounded 100 dollars.. A good price, but you might not be able to get that.

I do not know how well the coverage is without checking.. I happen to belong to the anti-verizon crowd (Had too much experience with them and the companies that merged to form them) (Joke omitted).

OH.. By the way.. This message brought to you via T-Mobile and my S-III's hotspot.

Burbman: Thanks. I appreciate your insights into Sprint voice and data coverage and into the Pantech mifi on the Verizon network. Very interesting.

jhilley: Thanks for the compliment. That's good to know about Verizon pricing. I took your advice on the the Edge 2.75G network and the made changes, accordingly.

dockmasterdave: I appreciate the compliment. Yes, I agree. Security is another good thing about hotspots.

bka0721: Thanks, Bryan, for the compliments. Great thoughts about network expansion and network coverage. No doubt, Verizon coverage is the best for guys like us who like to boondock, but switching to them at this time would be cost prohibitive for me.

NashTT: Are you referring to the unlimited data packages being offered by T-Mobile and Sprint? If you are, unlimited data is just that. Unlimited with no strings attached, though coverage is lacking in some areas for these two providers.

wa8yxm: Good to hear from a T-Mobile/Samsung Galaxy S-III subscriber. I agree about the benefits of password protection and added that to the article.

Mike- we're in a situation similar to NashTT. We have a AT&T hot spot with 5G of data a month. It's works great but we can easily go over the data allowance. We have an old,cheap flip phone which doesn't work well so it's definitely time for a new phone. I'd love to get a new iPhone and use it as a hotspot but it looks like the unlimited data only works for the phone not other devices.

From the AT&T website -

"3 Unlimited Talk & Text: For phones only. Includes unlimited domestic calls & messaging. Unlimited International Messaging: Includes unlimited messaging from the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to more than 190 countries for text messages and 120 countries for picture & video messages. Messaging capabilities vary by country. AT&T may change countries at its discretion. Visit att.com/text2world for details. Messaging: Messaging applies only to AT&T’s Short Messaging Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and not to any other messaging services or applications. Messages are for direct communication between phones and must originate from your phone. Messages sent to tablets, laptops, or other connected devices are excluded. Messages sent through applications may incur data charges. Service may be terminated or restricted for tethered messaging or misuse."

So what I think Nash is asking and I'm wondering about is - the phone can be used as a hotspot but you still need to buy a data plan, 10G in your case. If you go over the 10G on your laptop or iPad you'll get additional charges. Netflicks and other similar services are still not an option because of the amount of data that they eat up.

Please correct me if I'm wrong on this. I've been debating about getting a new phone for months and haven't been able to reach a decision because I don't understand the information well enough.

tonyandkaren wrote:
Mike- we're in a situation similar to NashTT. We have a AT&T hot spot with 5G of data a month. It's works great but we can easily go over the data allowance. We have an old,cheap flip phone which doesn't work well so it's definitely time for a new phone. I'd love to get a new iPhone and use it as a hotspot but it looks like the unlimited data only works for the phone not other devices.

From the AT&T website -

"3 Unlimited Talk & Text: For phones only. Includes unlimited domestic calls & messaging. Unlimited International Messaging: Includes unlimited messaging from the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to more than 190 countries for text messages and 120 countries for picture & video messages. Messaging capabilities vary by country. AT&T may change countries at its discretion. Visit att.com/text2world for details. Messaging: Messaging applies only to AT&T’s Short Messaging Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and not to any other messaging services or applications. Messages are for direct communication between phones and must originate from your phone. Messages sent to tablets, laptops, or other connected devices are excluded. Messages sent through applications may incur data charges. Service may be terminated or restricted for tethered messaging or misuse."

So what I think Nash is asking and I'm wondering about is - the phone can be used as a hotspot but you still need to buy a data plan, 10G in your case. If you go over the 10G on your laptop or iPad you'll get additional charges. Netflicks and other similar services are still not an option because of the amount of data that they eat up.

Please correct me if I'm wrong on this. I've been debating about getting a new phone for months and haven't been able to reach a decision because I don't understand the information well enough.

Unlimited talk and text isn't referring to Internet data. They're two separate things. Texts (SMS and MMS) are done on your phone, while web browsing, video, and downloads are done on your smartphone and any other devices that may be tethered to it. Hope that answers your question.