this question is probably on this forum somewhere...we are trying get all of our details together, as we will be going full-time in just a few weeks, and my last issue is which mobile broadband service has the best coverage, and i'm looking for any hints with regard to usage and such...thanks for your input!

Discussed regularly in the Technology Forum. The consensus of many who travel extensively is that Verizon's network has the broadest coverage, but the best deals for buying no-obligation data service might be re-sellers like Millenicom, depending on just how much data you need and whether you might be buying other services too.Be aware that Millenicom re-sells services from more than one carrier, so one plan might be on Verizon, and different plan on Sprint. From my viewpoint, Verizon doesn't work because they aren't licensed to sell me service, and I live and travel in some of the holes in their network. People who travel the Interstates from metro area to metro area may have never found the holes.

There is no other network with the coverage Verizon offers, NONE. Sure they have holes, as cellular service only covers 75% of the US and even less of Canada and Mexico. However, Verizon offers the most extensive coverage available. Millenicom offers the most broadband for the best price of any of the resellers and also the largest variety of cellular companies, by one company. We use the hotspot plan, which is with Verizon and the hardware says Verizon right on it. We pay ½ of what Verizon wants for the same amount of bandwidth and have the same right and privileges as any normal Verizon customer, without any contract or taxes.

Verizon Mi-Fi 4G. You can connect several devices, like Kindle, laptop, etc. We have used it all over the US with zero problems. 2 places we had to use a booster. We have Wilson Sleek for that. When I'm at a campground that has fast wi-fi, I use theirs for email and non-secure type transactions. That is few and far between. Most campground wi-fi is slow if it even works at all. I always use my Verizon for banking, paying bills, etc. They have many different data plans. I think mine is $60 per month. If I go over, it's about another $10. No biggie.

We had a Sprint aircard for the past 6 years. It normally works fine except when we are in some remote areas. We are in the process of switching over to Verizon as I type this. We purchased a refurbished Pantech UML 290 aircard from the 3Gstore for $59 plus $10 for a sim card. Then we activated it on a month to month basis (i.e. no contract) directly with Verizon under their Share Everything Data plan. $50 for the device and 4G of data. With the Share Everything plan, we can increase and decrease our plan each and every month depending upon our needs. Our usage depends upon whether we are in an area that has good coverage or if we are in a campground that includes good wifi coverage.We decided to purchase through the 3Gstore because I value their advice as to which device will work with our roof mounted antenna (purchased from them too) plus not having a contract was attractive too. We did have to pay a $35 one time activation fee to Verizon but I believe that would be applicable even if you purchased your device from them directly.

Hey, thanks for the quick responses! i had done a lot of research, and reading the tech blogs (when i could interpret what they were saying), i was seeing the same general consensus: Verizon. I know that we will be heavy users (online college classes, husband likes to play games), so i need to have a strong connection.

mobile broadband | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

jamnw
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
I would suggest you call your internet provider and ask what your monthly usage has been. They may have it on a web site.

I use Verizon for my home internet and traveling. I can't get ANY land line based internet at my home.

I had 5G/month and was constantly going over. What blew my mind is that we do not game or watch movies on it.
I have attributed it to the increased content on most if not all web sites. Go to yahoo, and "mouse over" an ad. Instantly a video pops up. You don't think about that with your unlimited service.

I had to upgrade to 10G/month. It was cheaper than buying the extra gig at $10/gig on overage charges.
If you go over one bit, you get charged for the next gig, whether you use it all or not.

Verizon does not offer an unlimited data package any more.

You mentioned your husband is a gamer.
Ping times on cellular data are not going to be as good as land line based. You may get some good ones here and there, but on average its not going to be as good. I don't know for sure, but I would guess that gaming will use a lot of data.

Online college courses: is this video based? If so, then you're looking at increased data usage.

Good luck with your adventure. Hope you get everything worked out.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 02, 2013
We've used the Verizon air card for years as full-timers. We don't do interstates unless absolutely necessary. We love the boonies. We are rarely without service. There are towers all over the place nowdays. However, we would never rely on taking college courses or playing games. We rely on the service of telephone and basic internet. I notice you are in Indiana. If you're planning to stay in that area what is used by most folks there? That's what you'd need to go with. We mainly travel west of the Mississippi. If you stay east, that might make a difference. You may need a more stronger, reliable way of connecting for college courses or games.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2013
We also use Millenicom and have had service thru verizon at every location we have been, even when we did not have cell service. If you are going to be a heavy user, I would definately check out their website. We bought our aircard from Millenicom and a router at Best Buy (the $49 one) so we can both be on our laptops at the same time. Millenicom requires that you set it up to be billed to a credit/debit card monthly. There is no contract. We pay $59.99 month. Current plans may be different.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2013
The Texan wrote:
rockhillmanor wrote:
The Texan wrote:
There is no other network with the coverage Verizon offers, NONE.

:?

6 years on the road full time and counting.....
mobile broadband SPRINT....
unlimited data......
Service 365 days a year for 6 years sans ONE DAY>Albany,GA

And BTW Not one person in that CG had cell service or mobile broadband service, all providers zip zero. It was like the Bermuda Triangle! :C
Sorry Rock, but Sprint has about the worst coverage of the 4 major carriers. Just look at their map and it is nowhere near what either AT&T or Verizon offers. Yes, as long as you do not get off the interstate grid it will work, but just as an example, go to Texas and you will not have any service in over 50% of the state, same for AZ, NM, UT, NV and even here in ID.

We had Sprint and as full timers, we had to change because we were without service more than we had it.

Well there you go! I am not from that area nor do I RV in those states. But you just can't dismiss suggesting a provider because it did not work for you in your state.

The maps are just for comparison and does not truly represent 100% where and where not coverage is.

And you can't make blanket statements it depends where the OP is traveling. All full timers don't travel from California to New York and back on a daily basis full timing!

From the people I've met many pretty much end up staying with in one region, 'after' they've done the gotta see the grand canyon stuff.

I don't know. I have UNLIMITED date with Sprint and when I read about all these problems being throttled down and shut off because of usage? I'm just a happy camper with sprint and so far have not been without service!

But as you stated I guess I won't fare so well if I go to Texas with it! :B:B
prolandsurveyor
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
I have Verizon cell service unlimited data plan. I downloaded the app foxfire which turn my smart phone into a "hotspot" with out having any extra charges except the data package for $30 per month. I am not too sure about what it can or can't do except I stream Netflix on it all the time without any problems.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jun 01, 2013
Which has the best coverage is not as important than who has the RIGHT coverage.

Verizon has the best coverage.. But.. I'm not a fan of Verizon, and other companies are making up ground fast.

But some of the places I need coverage.. Verizon has nothing.. but T-Mobile works

Other places no T-Mobile or Verizon, but Sprint (And it's derivatives like Virgin Mobile) work.

I should point out that there are a lot more cell companies than there are service providers.. Virgin mobile buys from Sprint. Trac Phone from assorted companies. Smart Phone, I do not know. But far as I know those above are the only nationwide providers.

Oh the absolute best data coverage would be Hughesnet.. but that is not cellular, it's not mobile (Portable yes but you have to park) it is slow and there is a 1/2 second minimum ping time.. It is 2-way sat

Excede is faster and less ping time,,, but.... is not compatable with mobile life style since they spot beam.
The_Texan
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
rockhillmanor wrote:
The Texan wrote:
There is no other network with the coverage Verizon offers, NONE.

:?

6 years on the road full time and counting.....
mobile broadband SPRINT....
unlimited data......
Service 365 days a year for 6 years sans ONE DAY>Albany,GA

And BTW Not one person in that CG had cell service or mobile broadband service, all providers zip zero. It was like the Bermuda Triangle! :C
Sorry Rock, but Sprint has about the worst coverage of the 4 major carriers. Just look at their map and it is nowhere near what either AT&T or Verizon offers. Yes, as long as you do not get off the interstate grid it will work, but just as an example, go to Texas and you will not have any service in over 50% of the state, same for AZ, NM, UT, NV and even here in ID.

We had Sprint and as full timers, we had to change because we were without service more than we had it.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Jun 01, 2013
The Texan wrote:
There is no other network with the coverage Verizon offers, NONE.

:?

6 years on the road full time and counting.....
mobile broadband SPRINT....
unlimited data......
Service 365 days a year for 6 years sans ONE DAY>Albany,GA

And BTW Not one person in that CG had cell service or mobile broadband service, all providers zip zero. It was like the Bermuda Triangle! :C
revsarah
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
that is the main issue, i really have no idea how much data we use on a monthly basis...so, what sounds like a lot may be nothing at all, or what sounds like not enough may be more than adequate.
2chiefsRus
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
revsarah wrote:
Hey, thanks for the quick responses! i had done a lot of research, and reading the tech blogs (when i could interpret what they were saying), i was seeing the same general consensus: Verizon. I know that we will be heavy users (online college classes, husband likes to play games), so i need to have a strong connection.

Be aware that just because you can get coverage does not mean that you will be able to see the same type of speeds that you have on a home high-speed internet set-up. The speed is going to vary depending upon your location. Do you have any idea how much data you will be needing per month?