Cellular Internet

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.

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....

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

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.

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.

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.