We are with Verizon.3 smart phones, all "paid for" by now1 ipad 3G (adds $10/mo.)1 USB modem (adds $20/mo.)Unlimited talk, text, & 3 GB dataWe are not FT RVers.Not big users of talk, text, or data.Except when RV-ing, then we use data but not much more than 3-4 GB.Would like not to pay $20 per month every month for the USB modem which is only needed a few weeks a year when RVing.I bought a Cradlepoint wireless router for RVing. Plug the USB modem into it, have wifi in the RV. It works wonderfully, but I now think it was overkill. A hotspot would be fine. I used to make my phone into a hotspot, but that was a pain. I'd prefer not to do that again, but would consider it to save enough money. A standalone hotspot would be my preference, though. Especially something that might work with a 4G booster.I'd prefer to stay with Verizon network, but would consider a reseller like Straight Talk or others. We want to cut costs. Currently over $200/mo.I think we can re-up with Verizon on their new Edge plan and cust costs. Anyone done it? Other suggestions?

Here's what I have/do. We currently have two iPhone 5s, two iPads. All run the current OS. The IPads are wifi only. The new OS makes it real easy to use the iPhone's as a hotspot for the iPads. We don't use a lot of cell data except on the road so only have a 2G plan. AT&T now allows roll over data which may help the few times we exceed the plan amount. Verizon may have a similar plan. Another feature I like is if I'm on my a ipad I can answer the phone even if the phone is somewhere else but close by.

You should be able to tether one of the smart phones to your Cradle point. Look on Cradle point website for compatibility of your make and model of smart phone.Not sure if you can tether the Ipad to your smart phone and do away with the link for it.

When we went to Smartphones, the hotspot replaced the cradlepoint. I can connect up to 8 devices using our HTC One Hotspot.Pulled the plug on DTV 2 years ago. We use the hotspot with 2 smartphones, 2 laptops, tablet, and BluRay DVD Player. And a wireless printer.We Stream a lot of movies and TV episodes through the Bluray from Vudu, Amazon, etc., using the hotspot.our plan is 40g which has proven to be enough for our monthly use. This month viewed 2 seasons of SOA and a few movies. Our data turns over Sunday, and still have 3g remaining for 2 days.$160 monthly ATT, oops, after the 15% Vets Discount.Our primary phone, internet, TV viewing, etc is through our Hotspot.When traveling, we use a Wilson booster for low signal areas. Have not been without service anywhere we have traveled, East, West and in Between,,,,,yet!

I have a Cradlepoint router and a WiFi Ranger. WiFi Ranger will pickup the Personal Hot Spot from either of our iPhone 5's. We like this option. Cradlepoint router needs a USB cable to do the same thing. With AT&T we can still answer calls on the iPhone's. We have 15gb for 3 iPhone's, Kindle HDX and a Hot spot. We use about 7gb when on the road. Had a 10gb plan. AT&T offered a free upgrade to 15gb. So we took it. I think the iPhone 5 personal hot spot works better than our hot spot. Cost is just over $170.

I have Verizon. I set my cell phone as a WIFI hotspot and we hook the laptops and tablet to it. No problem. I have WPA security so other campers can't catch a free ride.

Cell phone plan advice | Good Sam Community

Snowman9000
Explorer
Jan 27, 2015
Well I didn't understand the Verizon Edge plan. To get it, you have to buy new phones, paying for them over 24 months. We don't need to buy new phones, so if we stay with Verizon, we are stuck with the expensive More Everything plan. I'm going to look hard at Straight Talk.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Jan 25, 2015
I logged onto Verizon and got the numbers.
Our current plan costs $230 + $6.xx tax.

Keeping all of our devices and switching to their Edge plan will save us $75, and the data goes from 4GB now (I mistakenly said 3 in the first post) to 10GB.

So I'm going to do that. I'm also going to drop the Pantech 290 USB modem and get a Jetpack 6620L. And then drop the iPad, saving another $10. Probably sell the Cradlepoint router, I just won't need it. and get a Wilson Sleek to boost the jetpack.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Jan 25, 2015
jcpainter wrote:
I certainly agree that it's most convenient to NOT tie up one of your phones as a hotspot, especially on Verizon.

If your USB modem is "paid for" (contract is over), can't you just have it activated when you are RVing?

You mentioned wanting something that could be used with a 4G booster. Are you planning on giving up your 3G unlimited data plan?

They charge an activation fee for the USB modem, I think it is $30.
We don't have an unlimited 3G plan, we have 3GB of data in our plan. Unless you are referring to someone else's post. :)
ReadyToGo
Explorer
Jan 25, 2015
OP: you can use Verizon on a month by month plan instead of the 2 year contract if you you have your own Mifi/JetPack. These are offered on Verizon for about $200 but you can get one on EBay for $50 plus the cost of a sim card usually less than $20. That way you can accomplish two things.
1. Get rid of the $20 every month.
2. Cancel the plan whenever you want and when you are home, use your home DSL or whatever. Usually the home DSL/whatever will allow you to put that service on hold or maybe even cancel which is what we do.
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Jan 25, 2015
ronfisherman wrote:
I forgot to mention that I bought my AT&T hotspot (AT&T Unite) off EBAY for less the $40. There was not charge to activate it on my family plan. I replaced a cell phone that was not being used. So there was no additional charge to my account.

Thanks for that tip!

I always wondered if you could buy someone else's equipment and activate it to your account and how to do it.
ronfisherman
Moderator
Jan 25, 2015
I forgot to mention that I bought my AT&T hotspot (AT&T Unite) off EBAY for less the $40. There was not charge to activate it on my family plan. I replaced a cell phone that was not being used. So there was no additional charge to my account.
jcpainter
Explorer
Jan 25, 2015
I certainly agree that it's most convenient to NOT tie up one of your phones as a hotspot, especially on Verizon.

If your USB modem is "paid for" (contract is over), can't you just have it activated when you are RVing?

You mentioned wanting something that could be used with a 4G booster. Are you planning on giving up your 3G unlimited data plan?
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Jan 25, 2015
When my Iphone bill with ATT kept increasing and increasing till it hit well over a $100 per month I said enough is enough and I switched to Straight Talk.

A flat 45 bucks a month for unlimited talk, text and date. Doesn't get any simpler than that.

A bit of advice though. I read the ads and thought ALL of Straight Talk was Verizon. I wanted to try Verizon which is why I thought I would use Straight Talk.

Unknowingly I ended up with a phone that was ATT!:R

Be VERY careful and read the info card with EACH type of phone.
Apparently each Straight Talk phone model has it's own specific carrier.

I get why because one carrier might not work where you are and the other carrier would. But I think they should make that fact clearer on the front of the packaging on the phone.

Can't help you with internet. I am grandfathered in with a 2004 Sprint true "unlimited" no throttling back USB mobile broadband. I pray every day that USB stick doesn't ever break down. :W
enblethen
Nomad
Jan 24, 2015
We are still using an older USB modem connected to the Cradle point router. works great for us.
Cradle Point should tell you have to connect whether it is hardwired or wifi.
We are grandfathered in to unlimited.
It works better then when we tethered years back, especially when wife is posting photos on Facebook.
We do not have smart phones because we are basically too dumb.
mich800
Explorer
Jan 24, 2015
I am in the same boat. I have the hot spot that we only need very occasionally and hate paying for it. The phone hot spot is appealing but with the verizon iphone it drops the data if you receive or make a call. But I think the androids can do both simultaneously.