Cellular Internet

Proximity to cell sites is key to accurate testing.

Cell Site Reception Mesa, AZ

I performed a speed test today using the speedtest app on both the Verizon LTE and AT&T LTE networks here in Mesa, AZ (My sons are all on Verizon). Here are the results:

1. Verizon LTE: Download: 6.62 MBPS - Upload: 1.31 MBPS
2. AT&T LTE: Download: 13.38 MPBS - Upload: 3.05 MBPS

Verizon is supposed to have the fastest LTE network, but today's test doesn't support that, at least not here where I live. I'll perform another test next week to see if there's a significant difference.

Good article Mike - Thanks for posting.

tonyandkaren wrote:
From the AT&T website -

"3 Unlimited Talk & Text: For phones only. Includes unlimited domestic calls & messaging. Unlimited International Messaging:

This is the case with many servers, Some charge you a small flat fee (like 5 or 10 bucks) to "Tether" some charge you by the byte if you tether..

There are some programs FOX-FI being one of them (it merged with another program and frankly I forget it's name) these let you tether your phone either by USB or WI-FI or BT (depending on the comptuer and a few other things) without AT&T finding out. They let you use PHONE data on the computer.

I tried Fox-Fi but alas did not have the greatest luck and T-mobile lets me tether reasonable so that's how I do it , I use the official T-mobile app.

I know Verizon got slapped by the FCC for charging twice for data,, People who had some plans complained and the FCC said "Once they buy the bandwidth it is theirs to dispose of as they wish" or words to that effect.... I mentioned that to T-mobile when I got my account and discounts were applied.

You'd have to check with a Verizon vetern to find the exact FCC decision, or check with teh FCC, this was a couple years back.

We camp about four nights a month, or more. We both have Verizon phones and got a 4G Verizon hotspot for Internet when we camp. If we have signal strength for the phones, we have excellent Internet for the laptop.

So far we've camped at 10 different state parks in Florida with the MIFI and have had Internet in places we didn't have TV stations.

Having only recently moved from the "Dark Ages" of Dial-up to DSL, I survived quite well on a 4gig/month data plan thru Verizon on my Droid phone, and used FoxFi to connect the laptop to the "world" for over 2 years... no extras needed! No streaming videos, etc., but email, banking, forums, uploading pics to Picasa, etc. I did watch my data usage, but never had an overage - either at home or on the road. Not sure what folks call "remote" - but I venture to lots of places without ANY cell service - both here in the east and on trips out west. Actually nice to know you CAN get away from it still! ST

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.

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.

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.

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.