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Topic: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD (Read 5 times) previous topic - next topic
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Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Yahoo Message Number: 142616
Hi,
 Hope someone with LD has dealt with this situation and can help my wife and I with planning.  Both my wife and I are expecting to be working remotely, very shortly.  To date, we have been dealing with a wireless connection, while in the RV.  However, we are close to needing a more consistent connection, either cable or DSL.  I have begun process of asking at RV parks, whether they will allow permanent hookup, via Comcast or another cable provider.
Has anyone in group dealt with this situation ?  Could you please share your experience and how you addressed ? My wife and I are trying to determine feasibility of us both working on the road or whether we need to stay put, probably in Santa Fe.

Thank you for you help.

Barry Holahan
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142626
How long are you planning on operating at the same portable location?  My guess is it not feasible unless you are planning to stay put for 3 - 6 months, due to installation lead times, disconnect cycles and so forth.  if it can be negotiated at all, plan on paying some steep installation costs, because it is quite unlikely the CableCo or Telco owns facilities all the way out to your spot.  Some parks catering to permanent residents may have such facilities.

Alternate to that, is a wireless connection from one of the wireless providers (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and others may be your only option.  Quite honestly it has been my experience the performance of CellCo wireless connections usually exceeds that of Cable.  Only problem is it costs $$ if you use it  lot.

My day job consists of providing remote network support for a large International Jewelry retailer. For example, today I was working in Australia, Brazil, mainland China, and New York City. I can do my job from anywhere I can get get on the Internet with my Macbook Pro.  Pretty nice gig if I say so myself. I literally can take off and go anywhere at anytime. I've been known to be State Parking in the LD without even telling my boss.   Unfortunately my wife is Nurse in a large hospital. Hard to do her job remotely. So I mostly work from home ,

At home, because there is no limit, I typically consume 100 -150 Gbytes a month.  I have a 4 GByte bucket on the cell modems,  If I was out for a complete month, I would estimate I'd probably need to increase that to 8 -  10 GBytes at least.

My point is, cellular wireless is very viable. Particularly 4g LTE service.  You just have to watch what you eat, and check the coverage maps. If you are really out in the styx, it may not work at all.

Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142633
"Hope someone with LD has dealt with this situation and can help my wife and I with planning.  Both my wife and I are expecting to be working remotely, very shortly.  To date, we have been dealing with a wireless connection, while in the RV."

Barry
 Unless a park is pre-wired for internet cable, I doubt if they will be able to accommodate your request.
Consider staying with cellular by installing a high-gain, directional cellular antenna, above the roof, connected with low-loss cable to a Wilson Sleek 4G amplifier.
In many places, a good antenna system can turn a weak, unusable signal into a high-speed connection. Ask Andy about it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157629379463822/
 To keep the cost of cellular data down, get a Millenicom account and modem.
http://millenicom.com/
 Many in the group once used satellite internet but just about all have switched to cellular only, supplemented with WiFi, when available.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/2071229003/in/set-72157602095131568

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142634
To add to what Dave said, the best deal in cellular Internet connectivity is Millenicom's "3G/4G Hotspot" plan. It uses Verizon's network, which is the best choice for RVers, because their network reaches into the boonies, unlike other carriers who concentrate on big cities.

For $70 a month, you get 20 GB a month, provided by a pocket-sized wireless router that can handle up to five devices at once (that is, you can both connect to the Internet via this one device). If the two of you need more than 20 GB, get one account apiece and you'll have 40 GB.

This article on the Eureka Web site has more information on staying connected:

http://www.andybaird.com/Eureka/pages/connected.htm

You may also want to read this article on how to improve cellular reception when camping in weak-signal areas.

http://www.andybaird.com/Eureka/pages/phones.htm

A booster amp and roof antenna make a huge difference, and if you depend on the internet for your living, you'll almost certainly want to equip your rig this way.

Andy Baird
http://www.andybaird.com/travels
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142638
Well it depends on your needs.  Millenicom  indeed has a great plan for pure $ per bit. But little flexibility. I have two LTE USB modems (Cradlepoint routers), and an iPad, all three with static public Internet IP addresses for $80/month with no contract from Verizon.  If I need more data, I can add it. (Okay, I didn't really need a static public IP on the iPad, but it didn't cost any more, so why not).

Millenicom bundles services from multiple carriers. The last time I looked, the only way you could get Verizon LTE was by buying a new Jetpack from them, they did not offer any LTE modems. Maybe not true anymore, and still a good deal even it is.

The point is, it is only a good deal if the program works for your requirements. In my case, needing three relatively low traffic devices, Verizon direct was better for me. Not counting the need for static public IP addresses.  I may need to add a third modem to my collection soon anyway. Cheap to do with their Share Everything plan.  My phones are all on AT&T because I need their six-party conference service (Verizon only supports 3).

Check out the yahoo group "Internet by data card"  That is their topic.

-Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142641
"I have begun process of asking at RV parks, whether they will allow permanent hookup"

This was in the 2013 September/October Escapees magazine:
 "If you will be staying at out park, The Springs at Borrego [Springs, CA], for a month or more, you can get a connection from the local cable provider for as little as $49 per month."

Howard
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142645
Andy,
 It appears from their web site that the $80/month for unlimited data would  be better than two plans: http://millenicom.com/plans/

Barry

From:

For  $70 a month, you get 20 GB a month, provided by a pocket-sized wireless router  that can handle up to five devices at once (that is, you can both connect to the  Internet via this one device). If the two of you need more than 20 GB, get one  account apiece and you'll have 40  GB.
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142647
I believe the unlimited plan is on Sprint. If they have service where you want to go, it is indeed better. But it depends...

-Dave
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142648
It depends on where you're going to travel.
 Millenicom's 3G/4G Unlimited plan uses Sprint's network which isn't as  extensive as Verizon's.  But, if you're going to be spending most of your  time in Sprint's 4G area, then it might be a good deal.
 However, be aware that the 3G/4G Unlimited plan really isn't  unlimited.  If you read the fine print, you'll see where it's effective  limit is 50GB per month.  It's still more than 2 of Millenicom's 3G/4G  Hotspot plans at 20GB each per month.  But, again, which one you want to  use depends on where you want to travel.

Linda  Hylton
The RV Travels of Earl & Linda
Linda Hylton
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142649
One thing that is glossed over in the Sprint unlimited plan is that hotspot connections are not unlimited. When they notified me of the limit and cut off my data simultaneously I went to Millenicom.
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142650
Yes, Millenicom's "Unlimited" plan uses Sprint's network, and you won't find many Sprint towers out in the boonies! That's why I only recommend their "3G/4G Hotspot" plan, which uses Verizon. It isn't unlimited (although as George points out, neither is Sprint), but 20 GB a month is a generous amount for most people, and $70 is half what Verizon would charge you.

How does Millenicom manage to sell Verizon internet service at half of Verizon's prices? Well, the first answer is that Verizon's own prices have a huge profit margin built in. Millenicom buys bandwidth from Verizon "in bulk"--at wholesale prices--and resells it to us at a more reasonable price. Verizon is willing to do this with resellers like Millenicom as long as they don't trumpet "WE SELL VERIZON SERVICE AT HALF PRICE!" in their advertising. That's why you don't see the names of the actual carriers mentioned on Millenicom's website. But if you call up Millenicom, they'll tell you.

The other part of Millenicom's deal with Verizon is that if customers have problems, they call Millenicom--not Verizon--for support. Since providing support is a significant chunk of any carrier's budget, this saves Verizon money, which is one reason they're willing to make these bulk-bandwidth deals with resellers like Millenicom. I've only needed to contact Millenicom support once, and they responded promptly and helpfully, so as far as I'm concerned this arrangement is fine with me.

Andy Baird
http://www.andybaird.com/travels
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142669
The Millenicom plan (Verizon 4G) sounds like a good deal...but for me who plans about 3-4 months of "on the road" usage, I think the prepaid Verizon plans are easier since I only pay for what I use. I pay $60-$90 for 30 day plan. $90 gets me 10MB which is mostly adequate, although I'll confess to having to limit my mindless internet browsing to avoid having to buy more time before the 30 days is up. Verizon worked in the middle of the Mojave Desert last Fall on the way back from L.A. to Minnesota. If and when we go FT, we will switch to Millenicom.
(Millenicom requires you to sign a 1 year contract to sign up).
 Also, some parks have free Wi-Fi as do all McDonalds. To keep some of the load off of my Verizon prepaid account, I'll utilize those free sources when available.

Todd '99 RB and '02 Honda CRV
Todd (and Steve)
'17 Winnebago Minnie Winnie and '13 Honda CRV
(Former '99 RB owners from 2012-2016)
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142671
Todd, you might want to look at Millenicom again. You'll get 20 gigs of Vrzn service for $70. There is no fee to stop your service. When you want it back, you pay $50 to reactivate.

The only downside to Millenicom is that to check usage, I have to email them.

Another advantage to Millenicom is you do not need a Vrzn phone, just make sure your phone AND service provider support wifi calling.
2008 MB
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142672
"Millenicom requires you to sign a 1 year contract to sign up"

No, they don't. The very first line in the descriptions of all three of their plans, including the Hotspot plan that we've been recommending, is "No Contract."

"Verizon worked in the middle of the Mojave Desert last Fall"

Then a Millenicom router will work equally well, since their Hotspot plan uses Verizon's network.

"$90 gets me 10MB which is mostly adequate"

But why on earth would you do that when $70 will get you 20 GB from Millenicom? Please--go to their website and read about the Hotspot plan.

Andy Baird
http://www.andybaird.com/travels
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142673
"Another advantage to Millenicom is you do not need a Vrzn phone, just make sure your phone AND service provider support wifi calling."

Just to clarify: Millenicom does not sell voice phone service, and you will not be using your phone to connect to the internet. When you sign up for their Hotspot plan, you will buy a Verizon Jetpack router (which is actually a Novatel MiFi 4620L). That is the only device you'll use to connect via Millenicom with that plan.

Millenicom does offer a "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) plan that lets you use your own phone or cell modem to connect to the internet (but not to make voice calls)... but that plan uses the Sprint network, which as was explained previously, is not a good choice for RVers.

Andy Baird
Travels with Andy
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142676
I have tmobile phone service that supports wifi calling, so when tmobile does not have coverage, my calls are made using my hotspot.
2008 MB
 
Re: Working remotely and arranging cable/DSL in LD
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 142685
"I have tmobile phone service..."

Unfortunately, outside major metro areas such as the SF Bay area, T-Mobile's coverage is woefully inadequate. Most RVers use Verizon, because Verizon has better coverage out on the boonies than any other carrier.

Andy Baird
http://www.andybaird.com/travels
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"