Campnfuls
Hilt, CA
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Joined: 10/18/2007
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Received my free air card from Verizon yesterday. It works great. Now I don't have to drive around looking for free wifi sites. The inconvenience of having to locate wifi hotspots combined with the price of fuel makes an aircard a very wise investment.
I want to leave this earth quietly in my sleep like my grandfather and not like the hysterical, screaming passengers riding in granddad's RV just before the big crash.
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tonyandkaren
pennsylvania
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Joined: 05/15/2005
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If you can get an air card and monthly service from Verizon without having to sign a two year contract that would be the way to go. All of the air card internet providers require a contract. Some people use their cell phones as modems and can get month to month service but I don't know how fast it is.
Check the coverage area of each provider to make sure that you'll be covered in the areas where you be traveling.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobil........s/broadband/serviceavailabilitypopup.jsp
http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/
http://coverage.sprintpcs.com/IMPACT.jsp?nobrand
We've had service with AT&T for about 2 1/2 years and travel fairly extensively. Their broadband service seems to expanding rapidly and it's fast enough to watch youtube and similar videos and to download big files. Another recent development is that AT&T has made all of their hotspots free to their aircard users. http://attwifi.know-where.com/attwifi/cgi/index?design=default
With broadband service in large cities the hotspots aren't needed but if you're spending time in a small town where service can be very slow going to the local McDonalds and getting fast WiFi is really nice!
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Norm K.
Atlanta, GA, Destin, FL or on the road!
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Joined: 06/01/2003
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I agree with Campnfuls. I've had my USB720 for 9 months now and am very pleased with it. No longer have the need to search out hotspots. Speed?...it varies, but just 10 minutes ago Speedtest.net showed me 2100 down, 300 up. Usually it's 1200/300.
'03 Silverado 2500HD Dmax/Allison XCab LB 4wd
'04 Montana 3400RL
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Jim102
Cabot, Arkansas
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Joined: 05/19/2006
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Thanks to all, interesting information..Month to month is the way we want to go, for now..
2oldman, I get 20% off cost and monthly usage...
Jim
2007 29' Maverick 292 DS
A 12 yr. old long haired Doxie, "Digger"..
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EVDOalex
Dallas, TX
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Joined: 11/06/2007
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Jim102 wrote:2oldman, I get 20% off cost and monthly usage. better double check that. most discounts like yours are for voice plans, and rarely apply to dedicated data device plans.
http://blog.rv.net/about/alex-sian/
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Jim102
Cabot, Arkansas
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Joined: 05/19/2006
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Well, I get 20% off my Verizon Cel bill and my FIOS internet service..
Jim
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alexpinca
Reno, NV
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Joined: 05/26/2008
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I had verizon broad band before I retired and let it go when I retired. It is expensive, 50 or so a month. With a little effort you can ensure that you will have wireless at the parks you stay and truck stops on the road. Many are now offering free or fee programs. An RV Park without some resource is at a disadvantage and they are begining to realize that disadvantage. But if you want coverage on the road, you may have no choice but to sign up with AT&T, Sprint or Verizon premium services...they are comparing notes on fees so it isn't exactly vicious competitition.
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firedude
On the road
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Joined: 01/21/2003
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Also beware that Verizon and now Sprint has 5GB per month cap on usage. Now some some won't exceed that. If you don't do a lot of streaming video like Utube, downloading movies from iTunes and others and gaming you might be ok. You may think 5Gb is a lot, but I don't do much of the above and have come very close to the caps. If you use it for business look out! Sprint has made it clear that business accounts are NOT exempt for the Cap and new TOS (terms of service0.
Verizon now charges for overage on the 5Gb cap. Watch out as that could build up to enormous amounts. As well be careful of ETF's (early termination fees). Once sprint starts targeting heavy users soon they will just cut you off and charge you ETF's according to their TOS.
The days of unlimited usage on data plans (aircards) is over. The only one that still offers it is AllTell. I terminated Sprint without ETF's a week or more ago which you can do since they have changed the TOS and placed the CAP on bandwidth.
Just a FYI is all. Like I said some won't be affected and some will. If you just surf and do email, no gaming, streaming videos, download movies ect you'll most likely be fine. If you think though 5GB is a lot, just download a few moves at just over a GB and you've shot your Cap in the foot not to mention Windows updates, spyware and other program updates. just be aware is all.
Verzion's charges for overages could be extremely costly to you if you do not pay attention to your usage and go over. Read the fine print!
a LOT more info can be had on this at EVDO FORUMS and more on Sprints new CAP and TOS HERE.
again, just an FYI......
Tony
RV.net Blogs, a world of info!
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Retired Fire Captain Full-timer Rv'er
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Clay L
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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Joined: 07/01/2002
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FIREDUDE:
Verizon just bought Altel so I would think that they might implement the 5 Gb cap.
In contrast to your experience we have never used more than 2 Gb or so in a month. We don't do much video downloading but do spend several hours each day on the internet.
Clay (WA5NMR), Lee,(Wife) Codi, Brandi (Shelties) and Damncat (damn cat)
Full Timing in a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N, Workhorse chassis, Honda Accord toad
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