Hi,
I will be moving onto a houseboat on saturday and am looking for an internet solution.
I am hoping to find the cheapest plan that offers me good speeds and unlimited data (if not at least a lot of GBs, MIN 10)
I will be living in marina del rey, in los angeles.
I am currently using a samsung galaxy S 1 (GT-i9000m) with straighttalk as my carrier. I pay 45$ a month for unlimited talk text and web (though the reviews say that if you go over 2GB you will likely get disconnected), the fineprints say that i am not allowed to do mobile hotspot on this plan (and they dont have an option to add that feature) but I use it everyday on the bus for webbrowsing and have not yet received any notifications (2 months in)
I would like to buy a seperate mobile hotspot device (be it a cheap used phone, or a dedicated device) and use it as my internet router on the boat. I also refuse to sign a contract, so am only considering monthly plans.
I am a heavy data consumer who sometimes uses over 100GB a month, but if need be, i will curb my habits when on the boat.
I have already done a somewhat rudimentary comparison of my options which i will list below.
T-Mobile has a cheap hotspot device for 40$ here http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/Phones/cell-phone-detail.aspx?class=prepaid&cell-phone=T-Mobile-4G-Mobile-HotSpot-No-Annual-Contract-Refurbished
and they have a plan that has unlimited 4G speeds for the first 5GBs for only 30$ a month. http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans
I do not think I would be allowed to hotspot on this plan, and i do not know if they have an option to add that feature for xx$
also, that hotspot device is not LTE compatible (i think), but could I get LTE speeds on that plan if i bought an LTE hotspot phone/device?
Virgin Mobile has a plan for 35$ that claims unlimited 4G (though the fineprints say that only the first 10GB are 4g speeds), this plan is made for hotspots, so theres no problems there. http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband-plans/broadband-2-go/overview/
and they have hotspots for 80$ here http://www.virginmobileusa.com/shop...-2-go/sierra-overdrive-pro/features/#features
MetroPCS has a reasonable offer as well
they have a 55$ plan that has true unlimited LTE service http://www.metropcs.com/metro/detail/per+month+4GLTE/4G4ME55
but i have been told by one of their reps that I cannot hotspot with this plan and cannot pay to add that feature.
Would they know if i put their SIM in a hotspot device and used it as such?
Which hotspot device would work well with MetroPCS LTE?
I think those are the only options i have found.
do you guys know of any other ones?
did i miss anything?
how does the carrier know if i am tethering?
thanks!
Has anyone heard of it? I know they are a sister company to att and they use their towers. But I have a sprint Nexus 5 if I switch and put their sim in my phone will it work?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
AIO is AT&T's prepaid subsidiary and yes it will work. All Nexus 5's are the same no matter where you purchased them from. There is no carrier branding or carrier locking on the N5. From what I hear, AT&T severly throttles date for AIO customers, so if data speed is important, you might want to consider T-Mobile prepaid or StraightTalk.
I use it now. As you probably know, they have a $40, $55, and a $70 plan, with data amounts of 250MB, 2GB, and 7GB, respectively. You get throttled to 2G after you hit your soft cap. Unlimited texts and minutes are included in all plans.
I've had it for 4 months now and can't complain. Their service in my area is good, and the speeds are up to snuff what what I need at least. The most data-intensive thing I do is stream "High quality" music from Pandora One, and it does that without a hitch. Can't comment on streaming video because I never do. One thing to keep in mind though, they cap your data speeds even before hitting you soft-cap. From their website:
If you run out of high speed data access in a given month, your access speeds will be reduced for the remainder of your month of service. But once your next month of service begins, you will once again have access to download speeds up to 4 Mbps on our 4G HSPA+ service or up to 8 Mbps with our LTE service.
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So no matter what, the fastest download speeds you can get is up to 4Mbps on HSPA+ and 8Mbps on LTE. Again, if that affects you then that's something to consider. It is good enough for me though.
I've used their $70 plan now for 2 months on the N5. It works fine except for at work. It's known at my work that att frequency is blocked by the buildings structure (metal walls, ceiling and metallic tinted windows) so I literally have 2 bars outside and zero signal inside. I will be switching to T-Mobile because of this. If it weren't for that I'd definitely stay.
Cool thanks for all the help. I might be getting a job at an Aio store and they have an employee plan $55 for 5gb so I was thinking if I get the job I might switch cuz sprint sucks haha
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
vwgti18 said:
Cool thanks for all the help. I might be getting a job at an Aio store and they have an employee plan $55 for 5gb so I was thinking if I get the job I might switch cuz sprint sucks haha
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Heh I didn't know they even had brick and mortar Aio stores...
I switched from Verizon (had unlimited data) to AIO and have been enjoying it for 3 months now with no issues. Speeds are fast and I love it. I'm on the $55 a month plan.
I should tell you though that ATT is about to roll AIO into the Cricket brand. ATT owns Cricket now and it will be nationwide LTE just like AIO (if it's not already).
I have the $55 plan and service has been great, LTE at home, work and the commute. Streaming music and tethering works fine. Customer service has also been great as they helped me with the APN settings, which should be posted on their website, but are not. Some negatives are the slow ping on speed tests, a few second delay for the connection on phone calls and the Cricket factor.
Sprint and T-mobile signals are non-existent at work, so my options were limited.
what's the speed of the throttle
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I just got off phone and online chat with AIO customer service... It is the worst, they couldn't get mms to work on my Note 2 and made me power cycle thinking it would work. I am done and want to warn everyone I can.
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I considered the $55 AIO plan when I got my nexus 5, but ultimately went with the $60 AT&T GoPhone plan instead. Same amount of data, essentially the same price, same AT&T network, and no throttling of speeds.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I too have AIO, after finding out they don't allow VPN on cellular data I'm probably going to switch to AT&T Go Phone after I get my free month unless one of the other "unlimited" prepaid carriers that uses AT&T towers supports VPN usage. I don't often go over the 2GB amount, but I did about 1/3 of the time on VZW with unlimited, part of that was tethering due to slow hotel internet and stupidly fast LTE and unlimited data. So guess I'll put in chat sessions with tech support to find out if VPN is supported over cellular data before I commit.
Also, going to chime in and mention that it took me about 10 minutes of back and forth with tech support on the phone to get them to understand what my problem was. Also, setting up SMS was slightly annoying as they didn't tell me the exact correct thing to put into the phone. However, I simply had to click "Refresh" then "Update" for the SMSC(?) number to self populate and then work fine. Prior to that I had MMS working fine both ways (after inputting the APN settings from around the web and now their site).
I'd consider T-mo but I go to many rural areas where they simply don't have coverage for work and would like to be able to stay in touch.
METDeath said:
I too have AIO, after finding out they don't allow VPN on cellular data I'm probably going to switch to AT&T Go Phone after I get my free month unless one of the other "unlimited" prepaid carriers that uses AT&T towers supports VPN usage. I don't often go over the 2GB amount, but I did about 1/3 of the time on VZW with unlimited, part of that was tethering due to slow hotel internet and stupidly fast LTE and unlimited data. So guess I'll put in chat sessions with tech support to find out if VPN is supported over cellular data before I commit.
Also, going to chime in and mention that it took me about 10 minutes of back and forth with tech support on the phone to get them to understand what my problem was. Also, setting up SMS was slightly annoying as they didn't tell me the exact correct thing to put into the phone. However, I simply had to click "Refresh" then "Update" for the SMSC(?) number to self populate and then work fine. Prior to that I had MMS working fine both ways (after inputting the APN settings from around the web and now their site).
I'd consider T-mo but I go to many rural areas where they simply don't have coverage for work and would like to be able to stay in touch.
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Have you found any that will allow VPN? I'm on Straight talk ATT currently and it does not allow VPN either.
I cannot speak to what AIO's actual policy is on VPN traffic but I can say that I've been on their network for almost 2 months now and have had no issues using VPNs. Perhaps they just have not caught it yet but so far so good. YMMV.
Edit: So I've been looking through their terms and can't find anything specifically mentioning VPNs or tunnels but they do have some pretty standard clauses about only using your data connection for approved activities. This certainly gives them the right to block types of traffic they don't approve of but it doesn't mean they are actively policing it either. Would love to find a more solid answer on this.
Data Services Permitted Uses
Aio provides wireless data and messaging Services, including, but not limited to, features that may be used with Data Services and wireless content and applications ( Data Services ). Our Data Services are intended to be used for the following permitted activities: (a) web browsing; (b) email; (c) intranet access; (d) uploading and downloading applications and content to and from the Internet; and (e) using applications and content without excessively contributing to network congestion. You agree that Aio may engage in any reasonable network management practice and that you will use Aios Data Services only for these permitted activities.
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Well, the one rep I spoke to on the phone said they didn't allow it. I will try talking to a chat tech when I'm home again and can test it. I know I have the VPN working because I can connect over Wi-Fi (not at home) and it works perfectly. I've tried to connect over cellular at home, and on the road, never worked. I've got all the APN settings correct and SMS working, so I don't believe it to be a configuration issue.
Hi All,
I live in a remote area and need an unlimited connection for home use... The Sprint network is great here, however the "unlimited" plan limits tethering to 5gb. I was looking at the LG G2, or Nexus 5, (I have a Nexus 7 and love it) but it seems as if Pdanet/Foxfi will not work.
Is there a work around for the G2 or is there a similar phone that will allow me to share my unlimited data? (Don't mind rooting, just not too familiar with it)
Want to be totally informed before signing up for a 2 year agreement.
Thanks for any feedback, and sorry if this isn't posted in the right area.
Hello I'm considering getting this phone. I researched and found that this phone model 1917 is the right one for Verizon it has all its LTE bands and I could give a **** about Wi-Fi calling or visual voicemail or video calling I have apps for that. My big question is about the hot spot for people using this phone on Verizon.
Do you have to do anything to get your hotspot to work properly the reason I don't buy phones from Verizon is I'm on the grandfathered unlimited data plan meaning I don't get throttled after using a certain amount of data it's only $10 more a month than their so-called unlimited plan offered now.
If I switch to a Verizon brand phone they will make me sign up with dere new data plan which only offers 30 gigabytes a month and I would burn through that inside of a couple days.
This is the reason I've been sticking with my HTC u12 plus. The native hotspot on this international phone works right out of the box since it's not Verizon limited software. I just wondered does the hotspot work flawlessly?
jluva420 said:
Hello I'm considering getting this phone. I researched and found that this phone model 1917 is the right one for Verizon it has all its LTE bands and I could give a **** about Wi-Fi calling or visual voicemail or video calling I have apps for that. My big question is about the hot spot for people using this phone on Verizon.
Do you have to do anything to get your hotspot to work properly the reason I don't buy phones from Verizon is I'm on the grandfathered unlimited data plan meaning I don't get throttled after using a certain amount of data it's only $10 more a month than their so-called unlimited plan offered now.
If I switch to a Verizon brand phone they will make me sign up with dere new data plan which only offers 30 gigabytes a month and I would burn through that inside of a couple days.
This is the reason I've been sticking with my HTC u12 plus. The native hotspot on this international phone works right out of the box since it's not Verizon limited software. I just wondered does the hotspot work flawlessly?
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HI,
I have a 7 Pro but I am on the newest plans; Get More Unlimited.
I got rid of my grandfathered plan because there was no benefit for me and the new ones are cheaper.
There is a provisioning check on some phones. If you root you can bypass the check.
I have the original unlimited plan, like you, and hotspot worked just fine. It worked fine with T-Mobile firmware and global, so no worries at all.
No issues with Verizon hotspot here. Just got CDMA-less enabled on my line and haven't had any service issues whatsoever
Hi,
I have a really old Android phone on my AT&T Unlimited Plus plan that has never counted hotspot data separately. I was looking at a possible upgrade to the 4a and was wondering...does it count/report hotspot data usage separately on AT&T?
I ask because the unlimited plus plan only has 10gb of hotspot before it's throttled.
Thanks!
I also have that plan. For quite a while AT&T just didn't throttle the hotspot. Several months ago, it started getting throttled. I hadn't changed phones at the time. I assumed it was something that AT&T were just letting people get away with. I don't think the phone has anything to do with it.
AT&T Unlimited Plus hotspot throttle?
SerArris said:
I also have that plan. For quite a while AT&T just didn't throttle the hotspot. Several months ago, it started getting throttled. I hadn't changed phones at the time. I assumed it was something that AT&T were just letting people get away with. I don't think the phone has anything to do with it.
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Thanks for the reply. I’m quite sure it has everything to do with the phone as my trusty old android is still not counting usage but all the iPhones on my other lines are. And if I swap the sim from the old android to an iPhone the hotspot usage is also counted.
T-Mobile uses TTL to track hotspot, and I believe that newer AT&T phones use a separate APN for tethering.
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I guess I learn something every day. What old phone are you using?