Free Internet if you are not a full timer

[aussy]

If you are a full timer...you are probably not interested in what follows.

If you are like me and RV periodically this is a perfect solution.

T-Mobile just recently introduced a 200Mb free data for life plan.
http://www.t-mobile.com/landing/free-mobile-internet-data.html

Why is this such a big deal? Well, as most part-timers have probably figured out by now, most RV campgrounds wireless sucks. The T-Mobile free 200Mb for life is a perfect solution. Here's why? If you read the fine print you can use 1 of 2 mobile hot spots(http://www.t-mobile.com/landing/bring-your-own-tablet.html). The Huawei Sonic 4G Mobile HotSpot can be had on Ebay for like $50 refurbed.

Buy the $10 sim card from T-Mobile and you now have 200Mb of FREE T-Mobile wireless that let's you connect your tablets,laptops and other wi-fi devices.

While you are not going to stream movies...200Mb is more than enough to check e-mail, do some night time surfing, etc on a 4 or 5 day trip.

The biggest downside? Probably the coverage.

I know there will be some who will say just tether to your phone, but what a pain to have to leave the phone so the kids can play on the internet.

Just thought I would share the idea for some of the part-timers.

[1775]

Looking closely at the TMobile offer, this is being offered for Tablets only. There is no hot spot offered here - and TMobile charges extra if a phone on one of their plans is used as a hotspot through TMobile. What they are saying is get a Sim card from TMobile and put it in your tablet - register that Sim and Tablet and you get the 200 mb of data. I am not sure that you can just put the Sim registered with TMobile to a tablet and use it in a hotspot- they will know and start billing for hotspot service.

I do have a TMobile phone and plan and have gotten data and voice just about everywhere we have traveled, but in remote areas data speed is EDGE (between 2G and 3G) and rarely 3G. In urban and suburban areas speed is 4G (not necessarily LTE 4G).

[hilldude]

I have Freedom Pop works most places pay $7.50 mo for 500 mb and it rolls over.Only use it camping so it adds up when not camping.Had it for about one year.

[1492]

http://techland.time.com/2013/06/05/freedompops-free-wireless-would-be-cool-if-it-wasnt-so-shady/

i've been doing some reading
I suggest anybody thinking of FreedomPop do the same thing at the above link

lots of gothcha's and hidden fees

Interesting article. Also considering that some forum member's have mentioned about the 0.99 per month fee if you don't use your free data that month. I guess the question one has to ask is 0.99 per month an unreasonable amount to maintain an account for 500MB of unused free data? But, according to the article, FP has now eliminated that fee for new subscribers, and intends to do so for existing customers.

I also received the first month of 2G free mobile data email, which auto billed thereafter at $17.99 unless cancelled? But unlike the author of the Time article, it was always clear to me that its a promo, and only continues unless you do not cancel. I don't see how that's misleading? In fact, a common marketing tactic that is used in most any tech industry, cable TV, satellite, phone service, etc? In fact, you don't have to sign up for it at all, and just receive your free 500mb month data allowance.

Not defending FP as I'm not technically a subscriber, yet. You do have to buy a modem or hotspot in order to get the free mobile data allowance. But as I mentioned, I received a modem at no charge for just paying the shipping fee, and got it two days later by FedEX. And AFAIK, FP doesn't charge an initial activation fee, unlike CLEAR's(Sprint) $35. fee I paid, while FP primarily uses the same 4G WiMax network. They do charge a re-activation fee of $19.95 if you cancel service.

[MrWizard]

no !! when the 200mb is usd you have to pay to get more data for tnat month

[aussy]

wa8yxm wrote:
Thanks. Am a T-Mobile customer.. need to call 'em about plan changes soon

They keep coming out with better and better ones and unlike that other well known company.. They do not surprise you at end of month with a whomping bill if you go over your data limit.. .Just slow you down till the month ends.

So you suppose that when the 200M free is used...you will still have data it will just be slow boat data? If so, that not a bad deal for e-mail and basic web surfing to pass the time.....

[MrWizard]

http://techland.time.com/2013/06/05/freedompops-free-wireless-would-be-cool-if-it-wasnt-so-shady/

i've been doing some reading
I suggest anybody thinking of FreedomPop do the same thing at the above link

lots of gothcha's and hidden fees

FreedomPop terms and conditions

now too check on t-mo

[BroncosFan]

Good forum for free internet info. Number of carriers listed

http://slickdeals.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?&tagid=170425&f=9

[wa8yxm]

Thanks. Am a T-Mobile customer.. need to call 'em about plan changes soon

They keep coming out with better and better ones and unlike that other well known company.. They do not surprise you at end of month with a whomping bill if you go over your data limit.. .Just slow you down till the month ends.

[aussy]

2012Coleman wrote:

MrWizard wrote:
'aussy'
i agreed 200mb is good for email etc

it "Wont" handle kids play

a part timer doing email , with no 'kids' play
will be able to use this

I understood all these points from the original post.

I think a lot of peeps missed the "part-timer" part of the discussion. I wonder how many part-timers found it useful?

[2012Coleman]

MrWizard wrote:
'aussy'
i agreed 200mb is good for email etc

it "Wont" handle kids play

a part timer doing email , with no 'kids' play
will be able to use this

I understood all these points from the original post.

[docj]

IMHO 200MB of data is a trivial amount even if you don't stream. My DW and I use 4-5GB/mo just for internet surfing even when we arent't streaming video. Of course, T-Mobile's coverage area is so bad, you won't often be in areas where you can actually use it, so maybe the limit doesn't matter.

[josslund]

Just my two cents. T-Mobile really only has 4g access in major cities, and NO coverage in the normal type of camping spots. I had to get a Verizon wireless hub for that

[tmmar]

Are there monthly charges with the Freedom Pop?

[aussy]

1492 wrote:
Freedom Pop has a similar deal with 400mb 4g mobile data per month free. You have to buy one of their modems or hotspot. They offer both CLEAR(Sprint) 4G and recently began 4g LTE service.

I actually received a free 4g modem from them early on, but have yet to activate it.

Gonna have to check that out.......