Anyone using 4gltewifi internet for rural areas?

This topic has 7 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 2 months ago by Elle.

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- 03/21/2021 at 7:20 pm #86906
  So Cal Joe
  Participant
  Location:
  @so-cal-joe
  There are various companies which have this wireless service available in select areas.
  
  This page basically explains it, but the short version is that your router connects to the cellular wireless network to bring you internet. The speeds are pretty good, but they frown on data hogging activities, like continuous gaming.
  
  https://www.wired.com/story/4g-lte-wifi-broadband-at-home/
  
  This is the one available in my area. https://www.4gltewifi.com/home
  
  The cost for my area is $62 a month after a $137 router is purchased.
  
  Up to now, I’ve been using my smart phone as a hotspot and for the most part have no complaints. The downside is that my plan only allows 15 Gigs of hot spot data but is otherwise unlimited. I could upgrade to more gigs, but the using my phone as my internet source is getting old.
  
  My unlimited internet is for the phone itself, which I attach to my TV etc. to basically mirror my phone screen, It’s been pretty cool for watching videos and I watch a lot. I bought my phone (Samsung Note 3) in 2013 and it still works great for most tasks.
  
  I don’t do gaming or use extreme amounts of data. My data usage is generally about 40 gigs or so per month with my phone. My cellular coverage is very good, especially with Verizon.
  
  Once I’m happy with the internet service, I would be able to downgrade my data plan on my phone.
  
  So, is anyone using this type of internet service? If so are you happy with it?
  
  Thanks
- 03/21/2021 at 8:14 pm #86907
  Jay
  Keymaster
  Location: Virginia
  @jay
  Do you have any other choice like DSL or cable internet?
  
  These cellular wifi services are pretty new. I know people in our rural community are experimenting with them. I guess as long as you do gaming , you’re okay? What about streaming HD movies? I’d really dig into the contract of that particular service.
  
  We recently signed up for Starlink when it becomes available in our area: https://www.starlink.com/ We need unlimited and fast internet and are willing to pay for it.
- 03/21/2021 at 8:48 pm #86908
  So Cal Joe
  Participant
  Location:
  @so-cal-joe
  Hi Jay,
  
  Frontier is in the general area recently, but I don’t know if it’s in my specific area.
  
  There is also a local company that installs what looks like a satellite dish on your house and provides service. The dish doesn’t point to space, but to their antennae up on the hill.
  
  I see lots of complaints directed at both companies. Frontier is accused of having outages and bad customer service, while the fake satellite company uses shared data and people complain about speed and performance.
  
  The plan I’m looking at says there is a 1 TB data limit per month, but they expect most people to be in the 150 to 300 GB range. The only activities they mention as abusive are continuous gaming and torrents. I think the pandemic has a lot to do with the gaming increases. Streaming of any kind is not mentioned and for me streaming in HD is not a priority.
  
  The one thing I like about cellular is the reliability. The only time it gets slow at all is when I go over my limit (which happens every month) and there is heavy traffic out on the main road. Yes, my plan is unlimited, but not really… Some unlimited plans seem to be more unlimited than others.
  
  Starlink looks like it will be a winner, when it’s available as does 5G.
  
  Thanks
  - 03/21/2021 at 9:22 pm #86910
    Jay
    Keymaster
    
    Location: Virginia
    @jay
    The plan I’m looking at says there is a 1 TB data limit per month, but they expect most people to be in the 150 to 300 GB range. The only activities they mention as abusive are continuous gaming and torrents. I think the pandemic has a lot to do with the gaming increases. Streaming of any kind is not mentioned and for me streaming in HD is not a priority.
    
    1TB is an awesome amount of data, especially for what activities you described. Do you sign a contract or just month to month?
- 03/21/2021 at 9:32 pm #86911
  So Cal Joe
  Participant
  Location:
  @so-cal-joe
  It’s month to month.. cancel anytime.
  - 03/21/2021 at 9:44 pm #86913
    Jay
    Keymaster
    
    Location: Virginia
    @jay
    Cool. Try it for a month and use it as hard as makes sense.
- 03/21/2021 at 10:28 pm #86914
  So Cal Joe
  Participant
  Location:
  @so-cal-joe
  The only risk is the cost of the router ($137.00), but I’m not too concerned about that.
  
  I’ll probably call them next week. It’s totally plug and play and technically a prepaid service. The company is local and must have some kind of a deal to get the equipment and service.
  
  If it works out, it will be a big upgrade for me.
  
  Thanks
- 03/23/2021 at 2:07 pm #86965
  Elle
  Participant
  Location:
  @elle
  I think that’s what we had. A modem? that plugged into the wall and had to be placed where the best cell service in our house was? We were very happy with it. We don’t game but we do watch shows online. Hope it works for you. I was using my phone as a hotspot before and it worked but this was much better.
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