Connectivity

We consider connectivity a necessity, and are willing to commit considerable monetary resources to ensure that we have internet/cell service at all times in all places. If you think connectivity is not a necessity, try living without it a few days, especially in a place without TV or radio.

No email, no texts, no phone calls, no video or audio streaming, no audio books, no Kindle, no podcasts, no Facebook or Twitter, no Words with Friends, no photo or video sharing, no searching on Google, no Google maps, no weather reports, no news or sports, no blogs or blogging, no Wikipedia, no Dropbox or Google Drive, no online banking or investing, no campground reservations, no shopping on Amazon. Admit it. Connectivity isn’t just a necessity, it’s an addiction. GOT TO HAVE IT!

Our habit runs about 200 GB per month, much of that for streaming video and audio. We have a satellite dish on our roof, but we don’t use it. So we’re dependent on our over-the-air antenna or on streaming over the internet for all our TV news, sports, and entertainment. Over-the-air can be spotty, and the channel choices are limited. That’s why it’s not uncommon for us to stream 3-4 hours of video and audio a day between the two of us, not to mention all the other uses listed above.

Most campground WiFi is barely usable. If you want internet, it’s better to bring your own despite the obstacles and cost. A dedicated hotspot is the best way to get a internet signal to the WiFi dependent devices in our motorhome, such as smart TVs, laptops, tablets, printers, etc. 

Our setup changes often, depending on what the carriers are offering. As a rule, we like to have redundant coverage from at least two of the top three carriers: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. All three if possible.

Our current setup as of April 2019.

• Verizon – We have had several plans with Verizon over the years. But they tend to be costly. In Apr 2019, we gave up our postpaid plan for a prepaid one. We use the Verizon MiFi 7730L Jetpack by Inseego ($99) with service on Verizon’s Prepaid Unlimited Jetpack Plan ($65/mo). The plan has no high speed cap, but is always subject to network management. Unfortunately, the service has an irritating habit of dropping the connection. Apparently, this is a common issue with the prepaid hotspot plan. The good news is that Verizon tends to provide better coverage in rural areas than the other carriers, though in populated areas it is often not the fastest.
• AT&T – Since Nov 2017, we have used the AT&T Unite Explore AC815S by Netgear ($199) with service on the AT&T Unlimited Plus plan ($90/mo). We usually attach a Netgear MIMO antenna to increase the reach. The plan has no high speed cap, but is subject to network management after 22GB in a billing period. We usually have a connection, but it is often less than 5Mbps and seldom faster than 25Mbps.
• T-Mobile – Since Nov 2017, we have used the T-Mobile ONE 55+ plan with two smartphones ($60/mo). In addition, one of the lines has ONE Plus International ($25), which provides international coverage plus unlimited high speed hotspot usage with no cap and no network management. This is often our fastest connection, sometimes exceeding 100mbps.