I have been reading up on portable wifi systems here and on the internet. Couple of questions:The only time we will need this hotspot is when we are camping, but it would be great for that. Paying bills and researching stops etc.1- On Millenicom I understand you pay the hardware cost (99.00 + 15.00 shipping )and activation fee ( 49.00 ), then a monthly fee ( 70.00 ), no contract. Question is, if I set it up say in January and use it a month, then let it lapse, will I be charged another activation fee if I want to use it for a couple of months in say April-June? Or do I just start paying the monthly usage fee from the time I re connect in April? 2-If Millenicom does hit you with a new activation fee each time you set up to use it....is there anyone else who just charges for the time used AND is on the Verison Network. We are thinking about a trip out west ( from NC ) and it appears Verison has the best Nationwide coverage. We have Straight Talk phones using Verison towers and are very pleased with the coverage, at least on the East coast where we have been.Thanks

Do you have a smartphone that you can add the hotspot service to? That may cost you $10 a month or be free depending upon your provider and plan. Granted, it will use data from your data plan but that may be the cheapest way to go as you only need it some times.

There may be a FAQ on millenicom's site.

Riven,You might want to consider the Straight Talk data plan at $15 per Gbyte per month (more data available at lower per byte cost) with a MiFi hotspot for $80. No monthly charges, no activation fees, just data on Verizon system.Steve

riven1950 wrote:I have been reading up on portable wifi systems here and on the internet. Couple of questions:The only time we will need this hotspot is when we are camping, but it would be great for that. Paying bills and researching stops etc.1- On Millenicom I understand you pay the hardware cost (99.00 + 15.00 shipping )and activation fee ( 49.00 ), then a monthly fee ( 70.00 ), no contract. Question is, if I set it up say in January and use it a month, then let it lapse, will I be charged another activation fee if I want to use it for a couple of months in say April-June? Or do I just start paying the monthly usage fee from the time I re connect in April? 2-If Millenicom does hit you with a new activation fee each time you set up to use it....is there anyone else who just charges for the time used AND is on the Verison Network. We are thinking about a trip out west ( from NC ) and it appears Verison has the best Nationwide coverage. We have Straight Talk phones using Verison towers and are very pleased with the coverage, at least on the East coast where we have been.Thanksyou can allow the Millenicom account to go to "sleep" for 3-mos in any given 12 without incurring a reactivation fee.

Interesting. ATT charges about $50 per month for 5gb on sierra module. I find the sierra unit connects at times my smart phone won't connect. If running over additional is $10 if you call before you go over. Otherwise $15 for extra 1gb. We live very rural WY and basically no wired internet available. Could be pricey if you have kids on the internet. We use about 6gb every month for about $60. I would check with all plans before you buy. For 5gb ATT saves $25 per month. Seems like that would pay for the 3 months you don't use it. JMHO

question on millenicom / other wifi systems | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

AllegroD
Nomad
Jan 11, 2014
riven1950 wrote:
Folks I think you are talking about apples and oranges. ( last three posts )

Original discussion was about ST Wifi Hotspot, not phone service. I have seen nothing to show ST wifi Hotspot is on anything but Verizon towers. I realize their phones may or may not be using Verizon, mine is.

Always thought you needed to compare apples and oranges, as long as you knew what you were comparing. Just providing options, as OP is looking for pay as you go type service with minimal costs. There are costs and coverage differences with every carrier, service and network.
Dave_From_AK
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
riven1950 wrote:
...
2-If Millenicom does hit you with a new activation fee each time you set up to use it......
I asked Millenicom about suspending service back in November. Here's their reply:

You can cancel the service for now or put it on vacation hold.

Vacation hold can be for up to 3 months in any 12 month period with no charges while on vacation and no charge to take it off vacation. You can resume service any time during the 3 month period by emailing us at billing@millenicom.com. The vacation hold option is only cost effective for you when on hold in one month increments as you are required to pay for the entire calendar month if the service is active for any part of the month.

If you chose to cancel the account it can be reopened at any time with a $19.99 activation fee (reduced from our normal $49.99 charge).

Hope that helps.
riven1950
Explorer
Jan 09, 2014
Folks I think you are talking about apples and oranges. ( last three posts )

Original discussion was about ST Wifi Hotspot, not phone service. I have seen nothing to show ST wifi Hotspot is on anything but Verizon towers. I realize their phones may or may not be using Verizon, mine is.
Dutch_12078
Explorer III
Jan 09, 2014
Straight Talk phones with model numbers ending in a 'c' use the Verizon network, the same as Tracfone phones. Models ending in a 'g' use AT&T or T-Mobile.
AllegroD
Nomad
Jan 09, 2014
Verizon has a "Prepaid" account. No cost for turning on or off. YOu buy the Jetpack up front, also. Costs more than Mellenicom for hardware and monthly service but you only pay for the months you want. They are more limited in their coverage area. I don't think you can go into roaming???? GO to "Verizonwireless.com" and shop for prepaid vs phone.
Jbird
Explorer
Jan 09, 2014
FWIW Riven:

From what Ive read,ST appears to be using AT&T and T-Moblie towers,though some claim you can get ST using Verizon towers. Based on my experience with Rocky Mtns if this is where you are headed, I would be extremely suspicious of any coverage other than Verizon
Dutch_12078
Explorer III
Jan 08, 2014
vermilye wrote:
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Redsky wrote:

When I had AT&T wireless I had billing overcharges 6 out of 7 months and if you check the Verizon community forum you will find that their customer have been badly burned as well. No such problems with Millenicom though with Millenicom there is no easy way to get accurate and timely usage information unless you have a special router that will track it for you.

Millenicom is now providing daily usage updates via your online account login. They are also shipping the Pantech MHS291L MiFi in place of the sometimes troublesome Novatel 4620LE.

Maybe with your account, but with the exception of one mid week update around Christmas, Millenicom is still updating my account on Mondays.

Apparently they're phasing it in, although I don't know what the basis is for who gets it first.
MrVan
Explorer
Jan 08, 2014
Redsky wrote:
With Millenicom if you stop service and restart it later there is a $20 activation fee. You get 20GB per month with Millenicom for what 10GB a month costs from Verizon directly.

AT&T has not provided the nationwide access we need so we use Millenicom and access the Verizon towers. The more you travel in remote areas the more valuable having service through the Verizon network will be.

When I had AT&T wireless I had billing overcharges 6 out of 7 months and if you check the Verizon community forum you will find that their customer have been badly burned as well. No such problems with Millenicom though with Millenicom there is no easy way to get accurate and timely usage information unless you have a special router that will track it for you.

The $20 re-activation fee only occurs if you want to be on vacation hold more than 90 days.
vermilye
Explorer
Jan 07, 2014
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Redsky wrote:

When I had AT&T wireless I had billing overcharges 6 out of 7 months and if you check the Verizon community forum you will find that their customer have been badly burned as well. No such problems with Millenicom though with Millenicom there is no easy way to get accurate and timely usage information unless you have a special router that will track it for you.

Millenicom is now providing daily usage updates via your online account login. They are also shipping the Pantech MHS291L MiFi in place of the sometimes troublesome Novatel 4620LE.

Maybe with your account, but with the exception of one mid week update around Christmas, Millenicom is still updating my account on Mondays.
riven1950
Explorer
Jan 07, 2014
Hey I am OP. Well I have decided to try the Straight Talk wifi. Ordered their version of mifi unit. Since we will only use it occasionally I think it is best for us...if it works. If not then I can always fall back to Millenicom and deal with the re activation fees. Will post how it goes after our coming trip to Fl next month.

Forum Discussion

question on millenicom / other wifi systems

34 Replies

About RV Must Haves

Related Content

Millenicom Question

Millenicom replacement

Millenicom Question

Puck system & hitch questions

Millenicom