How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

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How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

March 16, 2019, 02:02:57 am

Hi all,

I'm preparing to stay in my RV for a couple weeks in the backyard of my home, which is now under contract (hooray). I cancelled my WIFI when I moved out and want to try living with just mobile data. I have looked at Verizon prepaid plans that include hotspot. They advertise that 15 GB is good for 30 hours of streaming video, etc. But then on their data info page they estimate 2GB data used PER hour of streaming. Those number do not add up!!

For those of you who primarily rely on their mobile service for data, and who use it alot (I will be using it for work and personal, including hopefully with my smart TV), what is your personal experience with using mobile plan? How many days can you go before throttled to a lower speed? What carrier and plan do you have?

Thanks

Lisa

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #1 – March 16, 2019, 06:06:52 am

Our experience, two users that do NOT stream on a single 20GB plan, is we will be throttled after about 20 days. How much throttling affects us depends on whatever criteria Verizon has in the mix, the number of other users on the tower, the color of my eyes, etc. I would guess you will use up your data in less than 20 days streaming.

There are alternative activities to surfing, and streaming.

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #2 – March 16, 2019, 09:58:36 am

I use a Verizon hotspot with PREPAID unlimited. It's $70/mo, $65 if you have autopay. It does not throttle at a set cap, however it is "network managed", which means I have lowest priority on the tower I'm on. It may slow down, but goes back up when the tower is not congested.

I have never had speed issues with streaming youtube, netflix, etc., and have used 120GB before to test my usage with no issues.

I think this plan is still available. Prepaid, not postpaid.

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #3 – March 16, 2019, 10:11:06 am

We use Google Fi. No problem with coverage AND the bill is capped not the data. In the past there was a belief that Verizon was the best on the road but that's no longer the case. Google uses three different cell carriers depending on who has the strongest signal.

glen

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #4 – March 16, 2019, 11:25:23 am

Quote from: colddog - March 16, 2019, 10:11:06 am

We use Google Fi. No problem with coverage AND the bill is capped not the data. In the past there was a belief that Verizon was the best on the road but that's no longer the case. Google uses three different cell carriers depending on who has the strongest signal.

glen

We've been thinking of trying Google Fi for the phone service. One thing to be aware of is the data is limited after 15GB to 2G speeds unless you want to start paying $10 per gig. The plus on their data plan is it works at no additional charge in 170 countries. Here is a description from their site.

"If you use more than 15 GB of data in a cycle (less than 1% of individual Fi users as of Jan. 2018), you'll experience slower speeds above 15 GB with Bill Protection.

If you need significant amounts of high speed data, you can opt to pay $10/GB for the data you use past 15 GB in a given cycle."

In reference to LindaB's comment regarding Verizon's plan I was unable to find that online and would love to see a link.

We got an AT&T Mobley when they came out with their $20 per month unlimited plan and it has worked well and has not experienced a slow down to date. Unfortunately, this plan was very popular and is no longer offered as unlimited. The Mobley device is not very efficient so I purchased an AT&T compatible hotspot and put the Mobley sim card it in and have seen much-improved speeds.

Jim

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #5 – March 16, 2019, 01:22:04 pm

"In reference to LindaB's comment regarding Verizon's plan I was unable to find that online and would love to see a link."

It's on the Verizon Prepaid Plans page. Go to this link and scroll down to "Tablet & Jetpack Plans". Click on "Shop now" and proceed as if you are buying the plan. The $70 Unlimited plan ($65 with autopay) will then show up.

- Jack

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #6 – March 16, 2019, 03:32:45 pm

Jacki, thanks! That is helpful, though confusing. I read through VZs plans, and went to an RV wifi page that described difference between network management and throttling. I did not see any plan with VZ that allowed unlimited high speed usage, even with network management. I read they had such a plan but it was dc'd. The Closest I found is 15GB for $60 or unlimited for $70, but the $70 does not include hotspot.
I'll go back and check again.

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #7 – March 16, 2019, 03:42:07 pm

Quote from: Don Malpas link=msg=200259 date=15 [quote author=LindaB - March 16, 2019, 09:58:36 am

4716]
I use a Verizon hotspot with PREPAID unlimited. It's $70/mo, $65 if you have autopay. It does not throttle at a set cap, however it is "network managed", which means I have lowest priority on the tower I'm on. It may slow down, but goes back up when the tower is not congested.

Ah! I did find it. So when it slows down, is it usable at all? I tend to Watch tv late at night, so not too concerned about congestion then, but during day I have to work and that means I need sufficient and reliable bandwidth for email and internet, including receiving, sending and and downloading large documents.

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #8 – March 16, 2019, 03:52:43 pm

Lisa, you might want to read this site:

Mobile Internet Resource Center - Mobile Internet Resource Center

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #9 – March 16, 2019, 04:20:50 pm

Quote from: Joan - March 16, 2019, 03:52:43 pm

Lisa, you might want to read this site:Mobile Internet Resource Center - Mobile Internet Resource Center

That is the website I was reading last night! That's how I learned about the jet packs and the difference between throttling and network management. I asked on here because I like to read /hear about individual experiences, as I find that a general summary is not always indicative of what one may experience in real life.

Lisa

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #10 – March 16, 2019, 06:06:52 pm

We use AT&T - two phones and a hotspot. Our use is like yours (must need computer and streaming).
We use 80gb or so on our hotspot. No throttling so far but occasionally (handful a month) of slow moments a month,
However YMMV as it depends on cell tower throughout and that varies (location, time, etc.)

We don’t use much of our data on our phones so that my backup plan (phone as hotspot). But honestly I no longer think about it after1.5 years. They just changed our plan this month so we will see how the new plan works.

One tip - download shows when you can vs live streaming - it seems to use less data.

Jane

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #11 – March 16, 2019, 06:19:04 pm

Quote from: JandS2 - March 16, 2019, 06:06:52 pm

One tip - download shows when you can vs live streaming - it seems to use less data.

Thank you for that tip. I was just watching a Youtube video about the VZ jetpack for RV use and she mentioned it took 30 minutes to download a Youtube video. That reminded me that it's usually better to download something vs. streaming. But I also thought 30 minutes seemed like a really long time! (the presenter seemed to think it was fast?!).

I think I may get the VZ jetpack and try it out. Last night the WIFI went out at the house I'm subletting and it was really frustrating. Sad I'm so reliant on it, but I am, so a backup would be great.

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #12 – March 16, 2019, 11:57:01 pm

I downloaded about 10 Netflix shows onto my tablet using our hotspot - 40-45 min shows, in about 30 minutes (maybe less I was not really watching it). You can test your connection speed with the Speedtest ap. I am guessing that video you were watching might be old. We have a netgear hotspot that is almost 2 years old.

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #13 – March 17, 2019, 06:27:48 am

What's the difference between prepaid and whatever is the usual billing method? They grab the money in advance in both cases.

I see the Jetpacks are only $50 now. They were offered for five times that at one point.

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #14 – March 17, 2019, 03:54:27 pm

Prepaid = no contract. So you can cancel at any time without penalty. The down side is that prepaid is at the bottom of the priority list for highspeed data with Verizon (from what I've read), so that "network management" thing means that though they don't throttle your data speed down after you hit a certain allotment, you are subject to slower speeds during high use times, whereas allegedly the postpaid customers will have greater chance of not getting reduced speeds.

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #15 – March 17, 2019, 05:49:25 pm

Here is one approach to watching movies when internet-data is in short supply. For context, while I use Apple iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, I imagine devices/software are available for Android....

My strategy for viewing movies while roaming (I travelled a lot before retiring last year), is to download the content to my iPad/iPhone in advance, either from my home internet connection or a suitable commercial WiFi hotspot. Then, while away from reliable WiFi/Internet, I either watch the movie on my iPad or a TV. How do I view on a TV, you might ask? I use Apple’s “AirPlay” feature which sends the content from the iPad/iPhone to an Apple TV via WiFi. Note that while the iPad/iPhone and the Apple TV must be connected to the same WiFi router to use AirPlay, the router does not need to be connected to the internet (convenient for boondocking).

For those that want to explore the gear, while I use an Apple Airport (I’ve had it a while and see no need to buy a new device), I imagine a JetPack or NetGear NightHawk will work. If I were buying gear now, I’d probably buy the JetPack or NightHawk because they serve both as a cellular HotSpot and a router. Also of note, PCMagazine rated wireless hotspots recently:

https://netgear.com/home/products/mobile-broadband/mobilerouters/MR1100.aspx

The Best Mobile Hotspots for 2019 | PCMag.com .

We plan to connect the Apple TV and Router as follows in our soon-to-be-delivered 27 MidBath (will the day ever come?!?). Both the Apple TV and router will be plugged into a 4”x2”x10”, 150 Watt “Samlex” power inverter http://www.samlexamerica.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=590 . Both the Apple TV and Router draw minimal current so 150 Watts is more than sufficient for this application. All of this will be installed in the cabinet adjacent to and using the factory installed 12v power outlet and 12v power switch, to be known hereafter as the AV/Internet cabinet.

We had Lazy Daze run a second coaxial cable from outside the coach (next to the standard TV input), into the AV/Internet cabinet. We plan to use this cable to connect either a portable satellite TV antenna or an external cellular antenna.

Hope it all works as planned... Let me know if there are ideas how to improve or flaws in my planning (would be par for the course were it the case).

Warren

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #16 – March 17, 2019, 07:26:44 pm

Quote from: WhiteElk - March 17, 2019, 05:49:25 pm

How do I view on a TV, you might ask? I use Apple’s “AirPlay” feature which sends the content from the iPad/iPhone to an Apple TV via WiFi.

Yeah, that's actually one thing I was considering with using data on my phone. I have an Android phone and Samsung smart TV, and I can cast my phone screen to the TV.

LIsa

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #17 – March 21, 2019, 01:20:48 am

Quote from: LindaB - March 16, 2019, 09:58:36 am

I use a Verizon hotspot with PREPAID unlimited. It's $70/mo, $65 if you have autopay. It does not throttle at a set cap, however it is "network managed", which means I have lowest priority on the tower I'm on. It may slow down, but goes back up when the tower is not congested.

I have never had speed issues with streaming youtube, netflix, etc., and have used 120GB before to test my usage with no issues.

I think this plan is still available. Prepaid, not postpaid.

Hi Linda,
I went to a Verizon store today, and just as they warned on here: Verizon Prepaid Unlimited Data Hotspot Jetpack Plan (pUDP) - Mobile Internet... , the sales person initially had no knowledge of the plan, and then went on to state that it MUST have a 15GB cap because, well, the other plans do, so it must.

I finally found the link to the plan and showed it to him, but he insisted it had to be capped. I am going to purchase the jetpack online and then get the SIM and try it out. I was too annoyed to buy the device at the store, plus they charge a $50 restocking fee no matter what the reason for return. No thanks.

Hoping for the best.

Lisa G.

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #18 – March 21, 2019, 01:10:57 pm

Lisa G,

If you are looking at which jetpack to buy, I'd recommend the Verizon MiFi 8800L. It's state of the art, covering all the current frequencies and allows for an external MIMO (2x2) antenna connection. That being said, there are problems with the 8800L randomly disconnecting and requiring a rebooting to correct. The good news is that a firmware patch is going through beta testing now and should be pushed out soon. Chris & Cherie of rvmobileinternet have been testing for the last couple of weeks and have reported some good results. If you have trouble finding the 8800L on the Verizon Shopping page, try changing the Pricing pulldown to either 2-Year Contract or Retail.

Also... I just bought a Netgear 6000450 MIMO Antenna to go with my 8800L. They were backordered for a long time but Amazon is now selling them for $27.47 with free shipping. The antenna is working well for me. It's pretty small and comes with suction cup fasteners that attached to a window. The coax wire is about 3.5 ft long so you can just move it around the coach where it works best.

I hope this helps.

- Jack

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #19 – March 21, 2019, 01:41:31 pm

I think it helps to go to an actual Verizon company store. It's been my experience that the folks at the contracted stores are somewhat lacking in knowledge.

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #20 – March 21, 2019, 02:38:19 pm

Quote from: HiLola - March 21, 2019, 01:41:31 pm

I think it helps to go to an actual Verizon company store. It's been my experience that the folks at the contracted stores are somewhat lacking in knowledge.

I went to an actual Verizon store. That's where the sales guy had no knowledge of the plan, and when I told him of it, he looked it up and insisted it was the same as the phone plan and that there had to be a 15GB cap. He refused to look further because he "knew" that it was the only thing that made sense, and he said no documentation exists for the plan (though he didn't check).
Was not impressed.

Jack - I was going to get the 8800 but read so many terrible reviews about the dropped connection that I decided to get the older model (starts with a 7) off Amazon. I got a used model through Prime figuring that I could return it if it doesn't work/work well, and not be out a restocking fee. Supposed to arrive today. I hope to be set up and trying it out this weekend. Will post results.

Lisa

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #21 – March 21, 2019, 06:04:19 pm

Lisa,
it just occurred to me that once you get settled, you will be moochdocking at home.

Pat the dogs.
Joel

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #22 – March 21, 2019, 10:29:05 pm

Quote from: Jack J - March 21, 2019, 01:10:57 pm

Also... I just bought a Netgear 6000450 MIMO Antenna to go with my 8800L. They were backordered for a long time but Amazon is now selling them for $27.47 with free shipping. The antenna is working well for me. It's pretty small and comes with suction cup fasteners that attached to a window. The coax wire is about 3.5 ft long so you can just move it around the coach where it works best.

I hope this helps.

- Jack

I've got the same MIMO antenna and used it last year at a location in AZ where the signal was a bit weak and went from 2mbps to 22mbps. Other than that I have seldom had to use it, but, as you say it is relatively small, light and easy to move around.

Jim

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #23 – March 22, 2019, 02:09:30 am

Wow. SO I bought a used 7730L Jetpack (the model preceding the 8800) on Amazon for $80. Paid for the plan at Verizon today. And sure enough, this sucker is working. I'm using my laptop AND streaming Netflix on my smart TV using the jetpack with no issue. I'm kind of amazed. I'm in a very dense urban area so I'm sure there is a lot of use of the network, even at 11pm.

Granted, the streaming is not HD, so it looks less crisp, etc., but there is no lag, which is awesome. And I went to a different Verizon store today and the woman there knew about the plan and confirmed that it's unlimited. She said they didn't believe it either until customers started coming in and telling them their experience with the unlimited data. Get it now and get grandfathered into the unlimited plan before Verizon cancels it!

I'm just amazed. I had no idea this possible for $70 ($65 after autopay discount). Wow. Just wow.

Lisa G.

Re: How many GBs mobile plan for those that live and work from their LD

Reply #24 – March 22, 2019, 09:52:29 am

We have a Verizon unlimited plan with two phones and a tablet. Although the plan says it's unlimited, there's a "soft" limit of 22GB *per device* after which the speed is managed depending on how busy the tower is. Although my phone often bumps up against the 22GB limit, and sometimes goes over, I've never noticed my speeds slowing.

The plan we have also includes 15GB *per device* of hotspot usage. I often get to 15GB on my phone. When that happens, I just use either the other phone or the tablet as a hotspot.

We do NOT stream except an occasional short You Tube video. If we want to watch TV, we have Dish with a Trav'ler on the roof of the RV.

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