Author Topic: Mobile hotspot recommendations? (Read 5182 times)

Adaminblack · « **on:** July 08, 2021, 10:39:04 PM »

We're going to do a road trip this year, and I'll be needing mobile internet for my laptop.

Does anyone have suggestions for a mobile hotspot, preferably something prepaid as we're only going to need it for 1-2 months?

We're current T-mobile customers, but buying a device outright from them is ~$90 and a decent amount of data is $40-$50. Are there any better options that'll work for a coast-to-coast drive?

TIA!

coffeebean · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2021, 10:45:16 PM »

Quote from: Adaminblack on July 08, 2021, 10:39:04 PM

We're going to do a road trip this year, and I'll be needing mobile internet for my laptop.

Does anyone have suggestions for a mobile hotspot, preferably something prepaid as we're only going to need it for 1-2 months?

We're current T-mobile customers, but buying a device outright from them is ~$90 and a decent amount of data is $40-$50. Are there any better options that'll work for a coast-to-coast drive?

TIA!

I have an extra gsm unlocked hotspot device for you in Lakewood which you can borrow.

AsherO · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2021, 11:01:33 PM »

T-mobile test drive, have someone who isn't an AH sign up, gets you 30gb for 30 days, no charge.

Might take some time for the device to ship...

Dan · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2021, 11:38:29 PM »

Don't want to use your phone as a hotspot?

ah giten · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2021, 02:24:23 AM »

Just a heads up, there are large areas with no coverage even if you have the hotspot.
If you must have service, know what you're getting into.
Especially in Utah.

Yo ssi · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2021, 12:12:43 AM »

Speaking of hotspots, anyone here have any experience with using multiple sim cards to create one stronger hotspot?

neveryou · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2021, 12:38:02 AM »

If you have access to a techsoup account you can get a hotspot for 10 dollars a month

AsherO · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2021, 12:46:55 AM »

Quote from: Yo ssi on July 11, 2021, 12:12:43 AM

Speaking of hotspots, anyone here have any experience with using multiple sim cards to create one stronger hotspot?

Never heard of it working that way, have you? Even dual-sim phones don’t do that.

Yo ssi · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2021, 02:03:29 AM »

Quote from: AsherO on July 11, 2021, 12:46:55 AM

Never heard of it working that way, have you? Even dual-sim phones don’t do that.

Yup it's a real thing, just usually used by professionals and therefore really expensive.
Google network bonding.

yesitsme · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2021, 06:43:32 AM »

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1413646095947812871

Darth1 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2021, 02:09:44 PM »

Quote from: Yo ssi on July 11, 2021, 12:12:43 AM

Speaking of hotspots, anyone here have any experience with using multiple sim cards to create one stronger hotspot?

My Uncle was doing Zoom/Youtube for weddings during Covid and he bought a piece that has the ability to put in multiple sims and connect to multiple wifis/mobile hotspots to get maximum upload speeds in rural areas. If you want I can ask him how it worked for him...

Yo ssi · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2021, 05:01:41 PM »

Quote from: Darth1 on July 11, 2021, 02:09:44 PM

My Uncle was doing Zoom/Youtube for weddings during Covid and he bought a piece that has the ability to put in multiple sims and connect to multiple wifis/mobile hotspots to get maximum upload speeds in rural areas. If you want I can ask him how it worked for him...

Please thank you!
Any real world review is worth more than anything, if you don't mind inquiring which product he got and how well it worked that would be great.

Adaminblack · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2021, 12:34:40 AM »

Quote from: neveryou on July 11, 2021, 12:38:02 AM

If you have access to a techsoup account you can get a hotspot for 10 dollars a month

Thanks! My workplace does. I’ll inquire!

lcm · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2021, 01:36:33 AM »

Quote from: neveryou on July 11, 2021, 12:38:02 AM

If you have access to a techsoup account you can get a hotspot for 10 dollars a month

When did this become available?
I don't remember seeing this before.

sillypainter · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2021, 01:56:21 AM »

Quote from: Yo ssi on July 11, 2021, 05:01:41 PM

Please thank you!
Any real world review is worth more than anything, if you don't mind inquiring which product he got and how well it worked that would be great.

That usually a craddlepoint product which is enterprise grade products.

neveryou · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2021, 08:41:08 AM »

Quote from: lcm on July 12, 2021, 01:36:33 AM

When did this become available?
I don't remember seeing this before.

Techsoup is for nonprofits, it's been available for a long time. I've had a hotspot for 2 years now. Its through mobile beacon and is on the sprint network

dsprod · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2021, 11:04:04 AM »

Anyone know where to get the best deal for a portable hotspot? (I already got the free T-Mobile test drive). I need like 5GB for a trip.

Jojo202 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 13, 2021, 01:27:41 PM »

Quote from: dsprod on July 13, 2021, 11:04:04 AM

Anyone know where to get the best deal for a portable hotspot? (I already got the free T-Mobile test drive). I need like 5GB for a trip.

Use the test drive with US mobile gsm sim. Works great. good rates

dsprod · « **Reply #18 on:** July 13, 2021, 04:20:52 PM »

Quote from: Jojo202 on July 13, 2021, 01:27:41 PM

Use the test drive with US mobile gsm sim. Works great. good rates

What network are they on and do they have data only plans?

dsprod · « **Reply #19 on:** July 16, 2021, 11:37:51 AM »

Quote from: Jojo202 on July 13, 2021, 01:27:41 PM

Use the test drive with US mobile gsm sim. Works great. good rates

Works with a T-Mobile locked device?