Best Option for Internet Access Traveling Cross Country?

[davidshq]

Hi All,

The wife and I are looking at traveling full-time in a travel trailer for a few years and I'm wondering what the best options are for staying connected to the internet throughout?

Thanks,
Dave

[owenssailor]

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.

[elkabong]

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.

[Mandalay_Parr]

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

[owenssailor]

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

[jrnymn7]

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?)

[pianotuna]

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.

[Rolin]

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.

[davidshq]

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

Dave

[goboborz]

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.

[jnharley]

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.

[Robin1953]

owenssailor wrote:

Robin1953 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.

Did you get the 3G or the 4G LTE model? I have read that the 4G model is throttled. If you bought the 4G LTE odel what are you average download speeds? TIA

The documentation says CDMA 2000 with download speed of up to 3.1 Mb/sec. I haven't tested it.

I may be wrong but I believe that would be the 3G only device. Thanks.

[mvpmich]

edbehnke wrote:
verizon.

X2 regarding verizon. New programs for smart phones include mobile hotspot and if you are going to be traveling, they have the largest coverage area.

[owenssailor]

Robin1953 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.

Did you get the 3G or the 4G LTE model? I have read that the 4G model is throttled. If you bought the 4G LTE odel what are you average download speeds? TIA

The documentation says CDMA 2000 with download speed of up to 3.1 Mb/sec. I haven't tested it.

[rr2254545]

"It is not safe to use for web surfing much less financial transactions as it is PUBLIC. All the campgrounds I have visited and most hotels as well, do not change the password and often they even have sign posted stating the password so the office people will not be bothered or to provide it after the office has closed for the day. "

We are all entitled to our own opinion - I do not worry if I get a reliable WIFI connection in a campground