Best Option for Internet Access Traveling Cross Country?

We are using StraightTalk. Friends we are travelling with are using Verison. Performance seems to be about the same.

The StraightTalk device supports 5 simultaneous connection. We often have laptop and tablet on the internet at the same time.

I'm not sure what tethering is needed for.

You have to understand that I am not tech oriented at all and generally look for the simplest solutions to problems. Sometimes,as luck would have it, these solutions are even the most economical.
Two years ago I purchased an HP Chromebook which has the Google OS which uploads the latest antivirus and firewall programs automatically every time you turn it on. No downloads necessary.
One of the best features though is that it comes with an automatic connection to T-mobile 4g if you care to use it. A small amount is free every month, enough to do banking, etc. and as many GBs as you want can be purchased on a month to month basis if you require it. The price for additional GBs from what I have seen on this post is very economical indeed. I travel a lot and just use the campground or motel wifi for email, facebook, etc. For more secure access I use the T-mobile option and since I don't stream movies, I have never even had to purchase additional data.

davidshq wrote:
Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Mandalay - Who is your cellular provider? I've been thinking about using someone like Straight Talk, but I don't think they have tethering.

My provider is AT&T

Jerry Parr

poncho62 wrote:

owenssailor wrote:
We just bought a StraightTalk hotspot. So far it is working great. Pricing is good. we connect 2 devices at a time. Supposed to be able to connect up to 5.

If I might ask, what is that pricing. We have Rogers cellular here at home, which we take with us in the trailer....works well all across Canada (wouldnt want to price roaming in US). We pay $90/month for 20 gig of data......Wondering if we can do better than that?

The StraightTalk only works in the US. It is not an option in Canada.
Pricing in the US has options. I just bought 4 Gb card for $40. It is good for 2 mon

poncho62 wrote:

owenssailor wrote:
We just bought a StraightTalk hotspot. So far it is working great. Pricing is good. we connect 2 devices at a time. Supposed to be able to connect up to 5.

If I might ask, what is that pricing. We have Rogers cellular here at home, which we take with us in the trailer....works well all across Canada (wouldnt want to price roaming in US). We pay $90/month for 20 gig of data......Wondering if we can do better than that?

I was with Rogers (very expensive) and switched to Wind Mobile. I'm talking Mobile Internet Sticks, here, not cell phones. $40 (taxes in) for unlimited. (they slow the speed after about 10-12gigs) I have two sticks, because I can blow thru a lot of data watching videos.

Apparently, Wind Mobile now has a U.S. roaming package for only ~ $8/month. (I think Rogers is like $8/day?)

Hi,

Unfortunate that T-Mobile roams on Rogers in Canada. Rogers have the least rural coverage of any of the cell phone companies in Canada.

We used T-mobile cross country from Oregon to Maine, though New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. T-mobile Roaming in Canada is via Rogers. We could not use our phone as a hot spot when roaming...so for internet access when in roaming mode we used campground wifi or stopped at McDonalds, Starbucks or Tim Horton's in Canada. We could also use libraries.

We could use mobile apps to do banking right on the smart phone.

Not as convenient as Verizon but less expensive.

I wish there was a way to "like" posts, I really appreciate everyone's insights!

Dave

I take frequent road trips in my Roadtrek and needed something flexible. So I sold my iPhone and got an iPad mini with the Verizon data plan which includes hotspot capability like the jetpack.

I had my phone number transferred to the line2.com app, which turns the iPad into a phone for $10 a month.

Then, when wifi is not available, I can use the Verizon data plan, and can change the plan level from month to month. I use the iPad for GPS, gas buddy, email, etc. When I need to use the laptop and wifi is not available, I turn on the hotspot feature on the iPad.

When I get back home, or if I'm know I'm going to have good wifi access for the month, I can revert to a cheaper plan. The plan can be changed right on the iPad mini - you don't even need to deal with Verizon directly. There is no contract.

The current rates are:
1gb - $20
2gb - $30
4gb - $40
6gb - $50
10gb - $80

This works well for me.

My hotspot on my Verizon phone is password protected just like our MiFi device.and I can see just by looking at my phone how many devices are connected when using the hotspot.