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fastrob · 01-12-2011, 06:46 AM

What are you all using?
Micky D's free wi-fi?
A cell plug in?
Built in laptop hardware?
Soon, I hope, going on the road, need to stay in touch.

rebelstand · 01-12-2011, 06:50 AM

Virgin Mobile Wifi - unlimited plan
You might have to check their coverage map though...

handn · 01-12-2011, 07:09 AM

We use wifi. Most campgrounds have something. Often the connections are slow and unreliable, particularly at wakeup time when everyone else is using.
We wouldn't use it enough to justify a wireless plan.

**moosetags** · 01-12-2011, 07:27 AM

We travel extensively in Lucy (our Airstream) and need to be on the Internet every day due to our business. We use a hot spot on SuEllyn's Verizon cell phone. It works well all over the country and the speed is excellent. We like the hot spot as we can both be on-line at the same time.

Brian

garry · 01-12-2011, 08:06 AM

Verizon, ATT, Sprint & others have USB modems that work very well I found Verizon has much better 3G coverage than ATT. I haven't used Sprint.

Some of the new Smart Phones act as a WIFI hotspot and have data plans you can also get a MIFI USB modem that acts as a hot spot.

The new plans start at 3GB per month for $39 up to 8GB for $80 and $10 per GB over what ever you signed up for.

A lot of people get the USB modem and use CG WIFI with their USB modem as back-up.

If you get a USB modem get one that has an antenna port and supports 4G.

**Kevin245** · 01-12-2011, 08:34 AM

USB modem for us. Works very well in most cases.

Kevin

RickDavis · 01-12-2011, 08:46 AM

Since we boondock WiFi is not a good option.. We have used a verizon cellphone as a modem for years and are rarely without coverage.

Just upgraded to a Verizon MiFi 2200 .
We also have an external antenna on the trailer and a Wilson Sleek amplifier.

We have been very happy with the Verizon service. Only have had a no service situation in part of Northeastern Ky in the last year.

I don't think there is much need to be concerned about 4G for a couple more years unless you are mostly around major population centers.

There has been some question on the data forums about whether the 4 g modems will fall all the way back to the slower 1 rxtt speeds in some extended areas.
All this will shake out i time

tinhutjohn · 01-12-2011, 09:06 AM

I just got back from a trip across Canada and messaged my home base by using theFacebook message app on my Blackberry. Good two way messaging every where except the wilds of North western Ontario. Once I got into a town, the app worked again. My plan includes unlimited messaging.

Jim Foster · 01-12-2011, 10:31 AM

We use an AT&T USB modem. Chose AT&T because that was the best deal at the time. Wished we had gone with Verizon as the AT&T worked well most everywhere except at our Walnut Grove CA home. In the last year, the AT&T service at home is improved and works just fine. When our two years was up with AT&T we nearly switched to Verizon, but found that the Verizon air card is not supported by our Netgear WIFI modem that accepts the AT&T air card. We use the Netgear WIFI modem to network our two laptops and our WIFI printer.

hazelgreen · 01-12-2011, 11:25 AM

One you can get on Verizon, the MiFi 2200 is the only way to go since its use is dependent on your cell phone coverage. We have one and it is great as it can have 5 independent wifi devices working at a time and is extremely small. There is no need for another router. I have used my Blackberry from Verizon on trips and tethered to the computer but it only allowed use on one computer. My husband and I had to keep taking turns with our computers as his was for work and my for pleasure. The MiFi takes care of that problem and still have use of our phones.

bugnot1 · 01-12-2011, 11:52 AM

Thinking about tethering my iPhone for my wifi -
Or getting one of those little Wifi hotspots -

Not sure how well that will work - sometimes my ATT signal is poor at best - even in town. Verizon????? They're looking interesting -

jan

jdalrymple · 01-12-2011, 11:57 AM

If your data needs are less than full-time, pay as you go USB modems are available from ATT. You pay for what you want. Something like $15-20 bucks for 200 megs used for up to 15 days, or 5 gigs for $30 spread over up to 30 days. No contract. I saw the devices at Wal-Mart for 75.00.

For those of us whom don't need full time data for laptop, it seems a workable solution. Wi-Fi where you can, and celluar access when you need it.

nvestysly · 01-12-2011, 12:19 PM

I am certainly a novice on this whole mobile phone, smart device, internet access, data plan stuff so I'm looking for ideas too.

Can anybody explain how the soon to be released (Feb 2010) Verizon iPhone will be better/different than the AT&T iPhone? I hear Verizon coverage is better in general compared to AT&T. We plan to travel anywhere and everywhere in the 48 states, Canada and maybe Alaska.

I guess with the iPhone I can use it as a hot spot for a computer. I want the fewest numbers of things to keep track of. I can deal with an iPhone and a computer. Maybe with those two things I can forget about satellite for TV and just use HULU and similar online offerings.

Lucius

MO Airstream · 01-13-2011, 04:15 PM

AT&T iPhone Tethering: An Extra $20/Month—If You Abandon Unlimited Data

Here is a good article about the cost and limitations to using the iPhone as a tethered internet connection with AT&T. I don't believe Verizon has released any info on their iPhone tethering capability. I know Verizon will be a different version of the iPhone's AT&T signal processing (I'm not technically educated enough to know the difference!) Our area in Springfield has always had hit and miss 3G with AT&T...but Springfield Metro is getting better. Branson area now has 3G also, but it is not good at all on the North side. I reside on the south end of Table Rock and have 3G consistently now.