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AlexSian
Dallas, TX
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This thread is for discussion of the first of a series of RV.net blogposts on "BroadBand Cellular" internet access.
If you haven't read the blogpost yet, click here to read it now.
Got Questions? Comments? Feel free to post them as replies to this thread, and everyone who can share an opinion or answer, please feel free to do so as well!
miscellaneous tech ramblings @ http://alexsian.com
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chasfm11
Dallas/Ft Worth Areas
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This was a very well done article. The facts that we, as consumers, generally miss in the discussions on wireless technology is the "normal" experience of actual usage. I do understand that some places are better than others and that as the various technology platforms are rolled out, those "norms" will change, hopefully for the better. Trying to do the same research in wireless Internet that I would do for anything else that I purchase is limited by the actual coverage and what can reasonably expected in performance. Without articles like this one to provide that guidance, all I can do is guess. I sure don't like making $1,600+ commitments (monthly charges plus up front costs on a 2 year contract) with so little to go on.
Keep up the good work. I cannot wait to read the teathering vs. data device discussion.
2000 Georgie Boy Landau 36'DP Cummins 5.9, Allison 1000 5sp
2005 Saturn Vue Toad, Falcon2 Towbar, BrakeMaster Toad Brake
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BCNUL8R
Topeka, Kansas
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Nice job, Alex...factual and not a bit slanted. I liked it considerably.
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GerryB54
The Jersey Shore, NJ
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I've been using T-Mobile/EDGE w/aircard for over three years now, pretty good service, real good on the interstates, I stay connected almost constantly while traveling.
I keep it because my cost is only $20/month for unlimited connectivity in addition to my cell phone plan. The current price from T-Mobile is $30/month w/cell phone plan, mine is grandfathered and stays at $20/month till I shut it down (you can do that if you aren't using it)...re-enabling it will be at the current price.
I also use Windows Internet connection sharing on the aircard XP laptop (also serves as my GPS laptop mounted at driver's seat) and then create an ad-hoc network between two wireless laptops, and my HP Vista laptop accesses the internet through the aircard XP laptop...both are online and it works like a charm!
Now, to make a cell phone call I need to pull the chip out of the aircard and install it in the phone, so that's a drag, but overall I get the results I need.
GerryB54 - 2018 Jayco Precept 35S Class A - 3 Slides
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GerryB54
The Jersey Shore, NJ
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Good phone coverage, and great Internet coverage on interstates except way up in north Maine...like most cell coverage, never seems to work too well at your final destinations...![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/embarrassed.gif "embarrassed") (At least some of mine)
Overall I'm pretty satisfied...you should check for service on their map for your destinations...zoom in!
I've been up and down the East coast and coverage has been good.
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TheCanuckian
Hemmingford, Bushnell
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will this work in Canada?
2014 Bighorn 5th Wheel ---- 2012 Cedar Creek Cottage
Marc and Linda -2 Yorkies- LuLu and LollyPop
Endless Summer.... Quebec and Florida
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love4god
Central NJ
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Any advice or input on coverage. I'm going to be purchasing an aircard or tether'able phone for my trip this summer but i'm unsure about whether to go with Sprint or Verizon. Costs are similar but I wonder which network is going to give me more real-world coverage, especially while RV'ing.
Verizon has the reputation of having the best national cell phone coverage but Spring has a reputation for a more reliable network. Just not sure which to go with.
Edited to add:
I would love to go with T-mobile because they're the most inexpensive and their phones are really priced well, but i've always been leery of their coverage. How far do you travel with that phone? Any comments about their network coverage?
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AlexSian
Dallas, TX
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love4god wrote:Any advice or input on coverage.
when asking the coverage question, its best you list specific places you plan on hitting on your next adventure. that way, people who have used these services and been where you're heading can comment.
aside from asking on the forums, you may also want to hit the official coverage maps of the carriers, to see what they say. keep in mind, though they are official, they are never 'up to the minute' and many RVers find coverage where it wasn't shown on any map... and conversely many RVers have expected coverage because it was on a map, and they didn't find coverage. thats life.
Sprint Coverage Map:
http://coverage.sprintpcs.com/IMPACT.jsp
Verizon Coverage Map:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController
AT&T Coverage Map:
http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/
Tmobile Coverage Map:
http://coverage.t-mobile.com/
Alltel Coverage Info:
http://content.alltel.com/business/enhanced/mobilelink_coverage.jsp
If you want my opinion, my choice would be Sprint, because EVDO is fastest 'broadband cellular' and is in more places than any other 'broadband cellular', and Sprint's contract with Alltel allows EVDO roaming, not just 1xrtt like verizon's roaming agreement.
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AlexSian
Dallas, TX
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TheCanuckian wrote:will this work in Canada?
as i understand it, bell and telus both offer similar services for canadians.
verizon and sprint both have international roaming agreements with canadian carriers, but the rate is pricey. currently $2/mb!
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rtbrown
Comox B.C.
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Note from Canada.
Telus AirCard is good value. They have a mobile data plan that provides coverage for Canada and the US. It is $100/month BUT there is no limit on upload or download amounts and NO roaming charges.
They partner with Verizon in the US which provids great coverage.
The plan is a promotional one that will only be available for a couple of more weeks. Once you sign up however you can have it as long as you want.
http://www.telusmobility.com/on/business_solutions/sierra_ac595u.shtml
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