Any "Real" Unlimited Plans?

[Kevin D Pem]

Are you aware that cellular service is tiered with postpaid plans having higher priority on the network than prepaid plans? If you're experiencing slowdowns on the network you are using, how do you know that it's because other people are streaming? In fact they may simply have cellular plans that have higher priority than yours.

For example, both of our phones have Verizon postpaid accounts. They have very high priority on the network so I can always do whatever I need but they have a limited amount of hotspot data so I can't really use them for streaming except in very limited circumstances. On the other hand, I have three unlimited data accounts (one on each carrier) that are all prepaid plans with lower priority. I can't count on them to be as fast as my phones, but between the three of them I usually have enough bandwidth to stream

FWIW I often consume more data when surfing the web and accessing forums such as this than I do by streaming video for an hour or two. When I watch live TV on YouTube TV my usage is typically ~500MB/hr which isn't all that high. Not all streaming involves 4K video at >2GB/hr.

Yes am aware. I pay Verizon dearly for so called priority service. On weekends in the forest where infrastructure is at it's worst, I can hardly make a phone call. Do I have a gripe? I think so with a reason. I made sure when I signed on the dotted line that I was getting priority service, but!!!

Seams that you don't use near the service that caused this discussion in the first place. My thoughts are don't expect the same service you have in a stick and brick. And the most important be considerate and my post was to help someone understand that such demands on wireless is in fact inconsiderate.

 

[Gizmo]

Demand has caused the growth of infrastructure we have today. If we were all considerate you really think the telecom would be expanding and increasing capacity.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Demand has caused the growth of infrastructure we have today. If we were all considerate you really think the telecom would be expanding and increasing capacity.

I really don't think they are expanding because we don't know how to act in society. I think it is because we keep complaining to them.

 

[VTPete]

I think streaming is a fact of life for more and more of us everyday-that's why I'm working to build up my cellular portfolio so I can stream more and eventually turn off DirectTV/Satellite on the RV. But going back to the OP's question, you can find more info at this thread: Question - What are the best Cellular data plans currently available???

There's plans from third party resellers that MAY get you partway at least to where you'd like to be.. but I'm searching for evidence myself that they're true. In theory, it makes sense that some of these resellers have access to grandfathered plans that do not throttle that they are then reselling... but I'm only guessing at the possibilities.

 

[Texsinbad]

I am retired; so, I don't have to have internet everyday, and I have enough saved on external hard drives to not worry about having something to watch.

Besides not being technically minded, I am not rich. So, when we do hit the road, I will find one of the better "unlimited" at the best price, and just wait until we return home to catch up on my downloading.

After all, I wouldn't want to be inconsiderate of others.

Thanks to all who have help me get current on the available plans and options.

 

[Gizmo]

I am retired; so, I don't have to have internet everyday, and I have enough saved on external hard drives to not worry about having something to watch.

Besides not being technically minded, I am not rich. So, when we do hit the road, I will find one of the better "unlimited" at the best price, and just wait until we return home to catch up on my downloading.

After all, I wouldn't want to be inconsiderate of others.

Thanks to all who have help me get current on the available plans and options.

If you are just worried about some TV then get a senior unlimited phone plan and I know Verizon has one that cheaper than a standard plan. Either cast your phone to the TV or use a lighting connection to HDMI to connect it to the TV. Most of these plans restrict hotspots to 600kb or some small about of internet access. Another solution is to buy an Ipad with a cell and use it to watch TV, email and other internet use and most carriers will allow you to add an Ipad for a few bucks.

 

[BGMAC]

Well, on the road I’m usually ok with the digital antenna. We mostly sit outside and enjoy the evening with a drink. If inside and nothing is good on TV, the wife and I actually talk. It hurst sometimes . Married 43years.

 

[AbdRahim]

Anything one can get for a reasonable price that will use the Wi-Fi Ranger. My wife got Verizon"unlimited" One security cam on a few door openings ate 13 of the 15 GB before throttling down to 600kb/s. Some unlimited. $150/ mo is a lot for entertainment, especially if it requires 500-600 worth of equipment and professional installation.

During the summer, I guess I will have to go to the 30 GB before throttle plan. I think that is all they have.

 

[Gizmo]

Unless you are willing to go with 3rd party plan for 100 to 150 bucks a month there isn't much you can use your wifi ranger for. If you just want streaming TV I have a Verizon plan that is unlimited on the phone so you can download apps and stream all you want on the phone. Now If you want to stream to TV you can use an APPLE adapter that goes into an HDMI port and steam from your phone to the TV. Don't go cheap on the adapter since cheap ones don't work well. Here is the one that works for us.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009WHV3BM/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[docj]

I tether all my hotspots to my WiFiRanger, either by WiFi or UISB. Currently I have two 100GB T-Mobile plans with M2000 hotspots, a 400GB AT&T plan from Millenicom and an unlimited prepaid Verizon plan running on a 7730L Jetpack. All these are tethered to either my WiFiRanger Spruce or Aspen. The Spruce has the AT&T plan which, so far, has consistently fast enough for streaming. The other three are load balanced into my Aspen.

 

[AbdRahim]

I tether all my hotspots to my WiFiRanger, either by WiFi or UISB. Currently I have two 100GB T-Mobile plans with M2000 hotspots, a 400GB AT&T plan from Millenicom and an unlimited prepaid Verizon plan running on a 7730L Jetpack. All these are tethered to either my WiFiRanger Spruce or Aspen. The Spruce has the AT&T plan which, so far, has consistently fast enough for streaming. The other three are load balanced into my Aspen.

Yikes, that sounds like a fortune. Where are you camping? I will just park next to you and make sure you never run out of beer - or pineapple pizza.

Yes, my Verizon Mifi is tethered to the WiFi Ranger. AT&T on ipad. I guess unlimited or high volume internet is just not yet available, at reasonable prices. While on the road, I am still paying for the S&B internet, so lots of $'s on internet.

I guess I will have to light more campfires.

 

[docj]

Yikes, that sounds like a fortune. Where are you camping? I will just park next to you and make sure you never run out of beer - or pineapple pizza.

I'm not suggesting that everyone needs this degree of redundancy but I used to spend ~$130/mo on DirecTV plus another ~$75 for something to stream Netflix on. So I was at $200/mo with a connection to only one cellular carrier. Now I have streamable connections to all three for not all that much more.

 

[RKins]

What happened to the $23 ipad unlimited plan with AT&T? Take the SIM out and put it in something else.

 

[lemondrop9344]

Between DISH service & cable internet service in the sticks & brick residence, I am now paying approximately $50.00 a month less for cellular data plans. The reduced monthly service expense will cover the cost of the additional equipment I purchased to afford me the same, if not better, level of service.
Since I went full time & I work from my RV, I really did not have many options on what I needed to do, just how I would do it.
I found the MIRC, RV & various boating forums, along with various manufacturer sites to be invaluable sources of information in helping me make a decision. My solution works for me, it may or may not work for others.
In my opinion, one needs to really assess what their needs are, ones technical abilities (or ability to attain it) & budget when it comes to cellular internet service.