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Post Info TOPIC: Millenicom


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We're new to the forum, but have been stalking for some time. We have been living in our Mobile Suites for 4 years and will be retiring  the end May/June and starting our full time travels.

I am pretty technologically challenged and have a question regarding talk, text and data. We currently have ATT land line DSL internet in the RV and Verizon for our talk, text and data on the phone. We will be drastically increasing our data usage.  I have been looking at Millenicom, but am confused. Is Millenicom's data for use on my laptop, tablet, etc. only? .... Or can it be used on my Verizon phone also? Verizon does not unlock their phones.  (I understand they are not the same company). I will need my phone  for talk and text. (using my Verizon plan unless there may be a more cost effective company/solution).  Oh, and there is that little issue of limited $$$! Sorry for all the rambling, but I need some advice/knowlege please!!!!



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Millenicom is data only, no voice. So keep the Verizon plan for your phones.

Barb


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Hi there.. I answered your question on our Millenicom Survival Guide post (www.technomadia.com/millenicomverizon) as well.

Yes, Millenicom is a data only service.

If you want to continue your phone service on Verizon, you will need to keep that plan. But if your phone can use WiFi, you can pick up data from the Millenicom hotspot and use that when you are nearby it, and keep a more minimal data plan on the phone.

For Verizon phone service, some folks have had great experiences with StraightTalk, which is sold in Walmarts. I believe the cost is around $45/month for talk/txt and on device data.

- Cherie

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Thanks so much to all. I'm starting to figure this out!!!

Julie

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First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums.  You will find the folks here to be very knowledgeable and helpful.  So, as you have questions, feel free to ask them.

We currently have Verizon for our phones and our internet, but not through Millenicom.  We are using the Verizon Jetpack MiFi and are heavy users.  At some point, we will be looking at Millenicom as a possibility when we move from Oklahoma City to Colorado.  The Jetpack has been an excellent device.  We have some more researching to do because I remember seeing once that Millenicom allowed a "bring your own device" plan, but at the time, that wasn't available in Oklahoma City.  We don't know how it will be in Colorado.

Terry



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When are you moving, Terry? We are "in residence"....

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Terry and Jo wrote:

We have some more researching to do because I remember seeing once that Millenicom allowed a "bring your own device" plan, but at the time, that wasn't available in Oklahoma City.  

 

That was a Sprint based plan, and Sprint pulled the plug on that plan last year. 

 

 - Cherie



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Jack Mayer wrote:

When are you moving, Terry? We are "in residence"....


 

Jack,

I thought you and Danielle might be there, or at least close to arriving.

We retire from our jobs the last day of June.  Then, by fits and starts, we will work our way to Mountaindale, scheduled to arrive there on July 14.  We'll spend a bit of time in Elk City visiting friends and doing a couple of things to the coach.  Jo wants to replace all the 2010 carpet with the newer, better looking carpet.  Then maybe 2 days in Amarillo seeing my niece and her family, followed by some time visiting my sister and her family in the Oklahoma Panhandle, just before heading for Mountaindale.

Everyone is pretty close to counting the days, including our relatives in Colorado.  We've already got a camping trip planned when our nephew comes back to the states for vacation in August.  He is currently working in Dubai.  We'll be leaving our "luxury" behind and staying in tents.

We'll definitely look you two up and get in a little more visiting, maybe even some sightseeing.

Terry



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Technomadia wrote:

Hi there.. I answered your question on our Millenicom Survival Guide post (www.technomadia.com/millenicomverizon) as well.

Yes, Millenicom is a data only service.

If you want to continue your phone service on Verizon, you will need to keep that plan. But if your phone can use WiFi, you can pick up data from the Millenicom hotspot and use that when you are nearby it, and keep a more minimal data plan on the phone.

For Verizon phone service, some folks have had great experiences with StraightTalk, which is sold in Walmarts. I believe the cost is around $45/month for talk/txt and on device data.

- Cherie


 Do you have any data for upload/download comparisons of Verizon vs Millenicom after the first 5gb ? 

Does Millenicom throttle you down at a certain point? 

With more "unlimited" plans popping up.. by throttling you down after 3gb or so, still giving you connectivity.. I wonder does Millenicom do the same? Local Verizon store guys admit it's a verizon system.. But not the SAME service.. 3 of them hammered me for 30 mins..How true is that? 

Since Mellicom is buying bucket of data fro verizon.. I could see them making a profit by doing it.. Other wise, everyone would be doing it? 



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Just did some searching.. Seems the Verizon guys may be right.. Tons of people just getting dial up speed.. Posts are stating Verizon raised prices to mellincom..

Tons of posts with people having issues in just the past 2 weeks..

ut oh..Verizon may be shutting the door on Mellinicom?

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We use Milenicon. Great fast service. We have been customers for years. Best deal out there for full timers. We have never come close to the cap. 20 gig is a lot.

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Glenn West wrote:

We use Milenicon. Great fast service. We have been customers for years. Best deal out there for full timers. We have never come close to the cap. 20 gig is a lot.


 I know it a good deal for the SIZE of downloading / uploading.. But at what SPEED does it operate at after the 5gb point.. 

Many, many people are saying it's like the walmart unlimited stuff.. booming out the gate.. then slows down.. Unlike Verizon that is booming for ALL the data.. not just the start..

I get aggravated easily.. ( ya think? ..lol ) I don't mind paying a little more for better  , faster service.. I think that where this is at.. I may get a millicom later if I see us hitting well over the 10gb.. But I'm staying at parks..not boondocking. Most have some level of free wifi, and I have big sky, that should tap wifi from a distance.. I can use the park wifi late nights and stuff.. well see...



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From the technomadia blog...This is gonna get ugly..


Millenicom ‘Out of Stock’
Posted: August 16, 2014 / By: Cherie Ve Ard/ In: Status Alert
One of our top picks for mobile internet for RVers – the Millenicom Hotspot Plan – is currently out of stock.
We have confirmed with our contact there that the situation is caused by Verizon corporate also being out of stock of the Pantech MHS291 MiFi/Jetpack device. Current projection is that Millenicom will be resupplied with new hotspots to activate new plans ‘by the end of the month’.
Meanwhile, those wanting to activate a new plan can do so via 3GStore – as they are able to offer alternate Verizon compatible devices, including selling just SIM cards so that customers can activate their own devices.
The Millenicom plan is one of our top recommendations as it provides 20GB of LTE data on the Verizon network for just $89.99/month, with no contract. Click for more details on this plan.
We will update if we receive any further news on this, or hear that Millenicom has devices back in stock.

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I'm not sure what is to 'get ugly' about the shortage? Over the years of history we've been Millenicom customers, we have seen them go in and out of stock several times. Even Verizon is out of stock of 291 hotspots.

It could mean Verizon is gearing up for a new flagship hotspot device to offer, it could mean a shortage from Pantech (they are having financial difficulty, afterall). But it doesn't immediately mean 'its gonna get ugly'. Millenicom is still activating plans via 3GStore on other devices, even your own.

As far as the throttling, yes -it has been happening when it shouldn't. It's a glitch on Verizon's side and currently requires Millenicom calling and having the account reset. From everyone we've talked to who has called over the past months, they have not had a repeat. Just last month, we ourselves used 40 GB of data without problem (we bought a second block).

Some have reported the speeds on their Millenicom account are slower.. but we have also seen speed tests that show them equal. So many things effect speed/connection - such as frequency, antenna power and more. It's hard to isolate or take one-off reports. Even so, the 'slow' speeds are fast enough to be snappy.


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I don't know what the issues are, have been or will be..The ugly comment is just another issue with mellicom.That maybe Verizon has them where they want them..etc... I was gonna order one yesterday.. But the verizon folks hammered me.. and a few searches showed there may be something to their sales pitch...

Clearly there are some issues with speed.. I'm not concerned with the product availability.. yet..As I am gonna wait .. at least a few weeks...

I'd be more concerned with Verizon saying it's not the same system.. and the "rumor" .. Verizon has raised prices to Mellicom.. Which may be why they are throttle back people.. Expecting many people NOT going to call to reset ? No idea..

But since It clearly is not very dependable as to speed .. right now. I have heard nothing bad about verizon.. and posts show ALL the connections are booming..Not just a good connect. time of day, where you are.. etc.. Those sound like Mellicom excuses for throttle down to me...

I think I'll stick with the Verizon plan til this is done shaking out..or should I say shake down? lol...

I'm sure Mellicom is a viable , cost effective solution .. and for the "buckets of data' they buy from Verizon, it's a good value.. and a good back up plan, I think, for me.

Does someone have a side by side comparison of verizon and Mellicom after 5gb.. at the same exact time.. That would tell all, I would think? Technically they should be exactly the same.. if they are not.. you KNOW something is up..

Know .. I have no clue on any of this.. and only make my opinions based on others posts of their experiences .. Like this thread..
www.rvnetwork.com/index.php

or this one..

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27759169/print/true.cfm


And tons of more like them..

 

As everone says.. "there IS a reason they are cheaper" 



-- Edited by The Junkman on Sunday 17th of August 2014 08:04:00 PM



-- Edited by The Junkman on Sunday 17th of August 2014 08:05:29 PM



-- Edited by The Junkman on Sunday 17th of August 2014 08:16:28 PM

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We purchased a verzion unit and used it. We then bought the Millinicon unit and it worked the same, speeds and all. We can tell no difference in service just cost.

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Sometimes it's good ...sometimes it's not..

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The Junkman wrote:

Sometimes it's good ...sometimes it's not..


 I have been a millenicom customer for 5 years now . They have been great . What is your deal ? If you have to look as hard as you are for reasons not to use them . Just don't use them . Your campaign is getting old. Move on !



-- Edited by Max Signal on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 08:06:19 AM

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Cherie…we're also Millenicom customers and have been very happy with our 3G only USB air card…I've got it hooked up with an amplifier and rooftop antenna to boost reception. 

I've been thinking about upgrading to the LTE capable device…does it have an antenna connection so I an use my existing amplifier and antenna. I'll have to check and see if the current amplifier and antenna support LTE…I would presume they do but don't know for sure. It's a Cybex or something like that amplifier and a maximumsignal.com antenna…I'll have to check on them and see unless you happen to know if a 3G amp/antenna works fine for LTE as well.

We currently use the air card connected via USB to our WiFiRanger…and have a separate Apple Airport Extreme for our internal wifi with the Rangers wifi turned off, does the Pantech allow the same USB connection to the Ranger or do you have to use it's wifi…if the only way is to connect the Ranger's wifi to the Pantech's then I think the latency of the doubled wifi connection in the network would do bad things to the overall network latency. 



-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 11:03:41 AM



-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 11:05:40 AM

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Neil and Connie wrote:

Cherie…we're also Millenicom customers and have been very happy with our 3G only USB air card…I've got it hooked up with an amplifier and rooftop antenna to boost reception. 

I've been thinking about upgrading to the LTE capable device…does it have an antenna connection so I an use my existing amplifier and antenna. I'll have to check and see if the current amplifier and antenna support LTE…I would presume they do but don't know for sure. It's a Cybex or something like that amplifier and a maximumsignal.com antenna…I'll have to check on them and see unless you happen to know if a 3G amp/antenna works fine for LTE as well.

We currently use the air card connected via USB to our WiFiRanger…and have a separate Apple Airport Extreme for our internal wifi with the Rangers wifi turned off, does the Pantech allow the same USB connection to the Ranger or do you have to use it's wifi…if the only way is to connect the Ranger's wifi to the Pantech's then I think the latency of the doubled wifi connection in the network would do bad things to the overall network latency. 



-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 11:03:41 AM



-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 11:05:40 AM


 You will more than likely need to upgrade your boosting/antenna gear to use LTE, all new stuff out for that due to the new FCC rules... and they are on different bands then 3G.    We direct tether our MiFi into our WFR Go, but you can also do it as WiFi over WAN too. 

 - Cherie



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Thanks Cherie, does the Pantech have an antenna connector as well? Wasn't clear from your answer. We will likely upgrade over the winter while we are parked in Fort Myers after a 1 week stop in Cedar Key on the way south. 



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Got the 291 Millenicom card... And the wilson mobile amplifier..

The wilson boosted my signal from 2 bars of 3g to 4bars of 4g.. Booming ! is all i can say. If I was stuck at 3g.. 2 bars.. I was pulling my hair out.. While the 4g is slower what I am used to on cable , it is tolerable and fast enough to cope with.

My question is.. I have the 291, rubber banded to the wilson base.. and leave both on 24/7.. Should I shut these down when Not in use ?

Also, I have the go2, new in the box, and so far have not found a need to use it or even set it up.. I also Have the sky.. Maybe I will need these when accessing other peoples wifi ?

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Millenicom Pantech unit. I've not had the best luck with our unit. 1st 6 months or so, all was good. Got really slow in NH but we were pretty sure it was the low area signal. About 6 wks to 2 months ago, we started experiencing extreme slowness. Can't tell you how many calls to Millenicom and pulling the SIM card and resetting. We did get better speed for about 4-5 days. After they asked for tower reset several times, they asked us to move 10 miles and check service. Same thing. Got slower and slower. Finally no connection at all although the screen said 4G LTE and 3 bars. When I called again they wanted me to pull sim, etc. I said, "Enough already, read my history, I want a new Pantech NOW!" Sent one that arrived yesterday. Works only on 3G here but I have a signal!

Sherry


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Sounds like a signal issue . You should get the antenna Millenicom sells . That antenna will give up to 12 db Gain . Jack Mayer has tested it and has test results on his site



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WestWardHo wrote:

Millenicom Pantech unit. I've not had the best luck with our unit. 1st 6 months or so, all was good. Got really slow in NH but we were pretty sure it was the low area signal. About 6 wks to 2 months ago, we started experiencing extreme slowness. Can't tell you how many calls to Millenicom and pulling the SIM card and resetting. We did get better speed for about 4-5 days. After they asked for tower reset several times, they asked us to move 10 miles and check service. Same thing. Got slower and slower. Finally no connection at all although the screen said 4G LTE and 3 bars. When I called again they wanted me to pull sim, etc. I said, "Enough already, read my history, I want a new Pantech NOW!" Sent one that arrived yesterday. Works only on 3G here but I have a signal!

Sherry


 There are report of Millenicom "throttling" people.. Some call them and they "reset" you.. And then you have no issue. I expect if you catch them at it.. they don't do it to you anymore.

 

Mine would not work when I received .. I called. They had me pull the simm.. wait 20 min, unplugged. And then it worked fine.

 

I expect I will get the throttle at some point, and will have to call.

 

I think try a booster with the trucker antenna. I have my anteena on a pole tie wrapped to the rear ladder.. Tip of the antenna is like 6ft above my roof..

Another thing.. I think the booster is boosting my scanner.. If I set it next to it.. I'm picking up areas I wasn't getting before.

 

Apps like google earth, ebay etc.. was very slow before.. now it's booming fast..

 

 



-- Edited by The Junkman on Saturday 20th of September 2014 09:41:24 AM

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Well , They did it..

Ordered the mifi.. worked great for about 7 days.. then BAM !.. Speed went to crap.. Thought maybe it was me.. or my connection.. Waited a few days.. constant "no connect" pages.. slow map downloads, slow everything..

Just called.. Pulled the battery, memory card, and they did a "reboot" on their end.. BAM ! Service back on track..

I hope this does not happen weekly.. I will drop them like a rock.. and go verizon directly..

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We had 1 instance of throttling a few months ago, then last week things got really slow, reset, removed SIM card, etc. a couple of times. Everything working like it's supposed to this week. Haven't changed locations for 5 weeks (first time that has EVER happened), so no explanation on why it worked fine, then didn't work and then the reset made it all work again. Mystery to me, just glad I have a second, third and an emergency 4th option that my company doesn't like me using, but still haven't never had a time when I couldn't get online without a little trial and error and persistence.

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With AT&T's promotional deal for double the data.. we just actually made them our 'primary' with 40GB of data, and Millenicom our secondary connection. 60GBs of unthrottled, tetherable, abundant, affordable (comparatively) data! Woohoo.. OS updates, here we come! (We're happy technomads!)

More details on the AT&T deal: www.rvmobileinternet.com/promotion-get-double-the-att-data-on-mobile-share-value-plans/

- Cherie

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WOW ! This is going start a mobile internet war, is it not. Great for consumers. I think it's great that this new program " Double Data" is for new & PRESENT CUSTOMERS. I get really hot under the collar when satellite tv companies and other types offer new equipment to new customers and I'm sitting here with 14 yr old receivers and such !!! -- ugh

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$150 for 40gb is a deal.. But based on my usage, so far.. more than I will be needing.. so it's just added cost.

On the millinicom..They did the reset, sent me a email and reset my data usage to 0.. Same deal.. just like everyone says they do online.. If this continues, I will send the device back and move on. I don't want to play .. notice the or not? games on data speed..I want to be having fun out here, not worrying about getting ripped off.

I bet it won't be long before ATT does exactly the same..or adding something to the mix..At $150 for 40 gb, I would only be saving $30.. to leave the best network in the US? i don't know.. I'm in the boonies now, and need a booster to get verizon 4g.. I wonder how ATT would be here? However, if they are honestly offering 4glte at full speeds , all the time.. and Verizion/Millicom keeps up playing games, I will make the move..in a heartbeat.

 

edit-- "AT&T is expected to be substantially complete with its 4G LTE build by this summer. "  So we are talking apples and oranges? 



-- Edited by The Junkman on Tuesday 30th of September 2014 03:34:55 AM



-- Edited by The Junkman on Tuesday 30th of September 2014 03:40:41 AM



-- Edited by The Junkman on Tuesday 30th of September 2014 03:42:11 AM

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http://www.att.com/maps/wireless-coverage.html is AT&T's coverage maps.  I find them reasonable for accuracy, just like Verizon.  Some places they show coverage that doesn't have it, due to hills and such.  Just like Verizon.   Since we picked up our AT&T hotspot in May 2013, we have had at least AT&T 3G at all of our stops.  In that time we have not had Verizon twice.  This is the opposite of our experience a few years ago, where Verizon won the coverage battle.  We have been in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington (La Conner Thousand Trails has Verizon only by the beach), Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan (Verizon around Buchanan is weak and flakey). 



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bjoyce wrote:

http://www.att.com/maps/wireless-coverage.html is AT&T's coverage maps.  I find them reasonable for accuracy, just like Verizon.  Some places they show coverage that doesn't have it, due to hills and such.  Just like Verizon.   Since we picked up our AT&T hotspot in May 2013, we have had at least AT&T 3G at all of our stops.  In that time we have not had Verizon twice.  This is the opposite of our experience a few years ago, where Verizon won the coverage battle.  We have been in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington (La Conner Thousand Trails has Verizon only by the beach), Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan (Verizon around Buchanan is weak and flakey). 


 Are they "throttling" ?

I'm a verizon guy since the 80's..Always had at least 2 phones with them, since way back then..

I can't see giving up something not broke, and working great... And through the years many have left verizon.. many have come back. Grass is always greener...

 

Problem here is the reseller , Millenicom.. Not Verizon. I think I would pay a little more for the verizon premium service if I need too.. Trying to save a couple dollars with Millenicon.. We'll see if it works out.

 

ATT is a good deal.. but it's NOT cheaper.. It's only cheaper if you use the data.. other wise, it's a higher price.???

 

 

 



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bjoyce wrote:

http://www.att.com/maps/wireless-coverage.html is AT&T's coverage maps.  I find them reasonable for accuracy, just like Verizon.  Some places they show coverage that doesn't have it, due to hills and such.  Just like Verizon.   Since we picked up our AT&T hotspot in May 2013, we have had at least AT&T 3G at all of our stops.  In that time we have not had Verizon twice.  This is the opposite of our experience a few years ago, where Verizon won the coverage battle.  We have been in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington (La Conner Thousand Trails has Verizon only by the beach), Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan (Verizon around Buchanan is weak and flakey). 


 Looks like 3g is the buzz word..

As this map puts the others to shame..

 

http://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/consumer/4g-lte.html



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We have been having issues with WiFi since we moved into this famcamp on Charleston AFB in 2012. We have Verizon phones with 4GB data, most months we were having to increase that Data. There is 'free' WiFi here, but there are so many high trees, we have only ever had sporadic success reaching it through the WiFi ranger. Now the Hubster is trying to finish off his BA and is doing the classes online, because of the useless 'free' WiFi here we have been using up to 10GB per month lately! It was getting pretty expensive.

2 weeks ago, we sent for the Millenicom. We have set it up and use it through the WiFi ranger. My question is, shouldn't the 'speed' be higher than 198Kbps? Even the 'free' famcamp WiFi is a higher speed that that, I am pretty disappointed with it so far, we have tried moving it around to get better signals but it just doesn't seem to be an improvement on what we had before? Any advice?

huggs Kim x

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call and do a reset.......

2. if you want to increase your WiFi Reception purchase a Yagi directional antenna (or build one) and mount it on your ladder with a telescopic painters pole (3 Section is great). I've been mostly using wifi for years and have no problems intercepting even the weakest signals
There is also a free program online called ....InSSider 3....that is simple to use and will help you find and adjust your signals

better to put your money into items to improve the system than to keep paying service charges....you can always sell items!!

google or look up my recommendations....study them a little by going thru different sites and get an understanding of how they work before you toss your money into the ring.    a little knowledge goes alot farther than money when trying to make something work

Good luck!!!!

P.S   Im boondocking right now and am just over 1.5 miles from the home depot that I am using the wifi from and Im in the woods in N.H so there are plenty of trees and I went from 1 bar to 4 using this method of antenna!!!



-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Tuesday 30th of September 2014 09:16:40 AM

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Thanks Mike, calling now for a reset As we already have the WiFi ranger, would the 'pole' on the ladder work just as well as the Yagi?

huggs Kim x

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I added a wilson "mobile" booster kit.. and a trucker antenna..

Went from 2 bars of 3 g to 4 bars of 4g.. speed is smokin..!

Yea, call for a reset.. these guys are either having technical issues or doing it on purpose..If you don't call, it will stay that way..It's like dial up.. lol

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The Junkman wrote:

I added a wilson "mobile" booster kit.. and a trucker antenna..

Went from 2 bars of 3 g to 4 bars of 4g.. speed is smokin..!

Yea, call for a reset.. these guys are either having technical issues or doing it on purpose..If you don't call, it will stay that way..It's like dial up.. lol


 Thank you, we called for reset, went through lots of info with them, she said it can take up to 3 hours to cycle through their system....we shall see.

 

Huggs Kim x



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2016 Vilano by VanLeigh, 2012 F350 Diesel SD 6,7L long bed SRW

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Kim is way too busy planning to have a 'real' job!

Jay is a civillian Gov't Historian Randolph AFB TX (retired AD in '07 after 23 yrs)



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you can connect the yagi to the WiFi ranger.....call customer support for info.....the yagi is a high gain Directional antenna so it has to be aimed at its target area


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We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!



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The Junkman wrote:
ATT is a good deal.. but it's NOT cheaper.. It's only cheaper if you use the data.. other wise, it's a higher price.???

 


 

At high data usage rates.. it's actually around the same or can be cheaper. But like you said, only makes sense if you need that much data, and we do And, we already travel with both AT&T and Verizon and love the combination of both. 

Our AT&T Mobile Share plan with unlimited phone & text for our two iPhones, and 40GB of shareable data - we're now paying $180 + taxes (we used to pay $130 for 10GB). We used to almost always have to add on an additional 20GB to our Millenicom plan, making it $179.98.. which we hopefully won't need to do in most situations anymore. 

So before...  50GB of data cost us $310

Now...  60GB of data is $270

For our needs.. $40 less per month for 10GB more.. is cheaper :)

 

AT&T has substantially expanded their network in the past year... and when you combine their HSPA+ network (which is somewhere between 3G and LTE speeds), they actually have quite a 'faster than 3G' network. 

 

Here's our Coverage? map showing Verizon's LTE vs. AT&T's 4G coverage (click to enlarge)..

att-verizon-4g-combined-aug-2014.jpg

There are plenty of places where one network excels over the other. 

 - Cherie



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Lucky Mike wrote:

you can connect the yagi to the WiFi ranger.....call customer support for info.....the yagi is a high gain Directional antenna so it has to be aimed at its target area


 Thank you Mike,

 

Will see how the 'reset' goes and look into that. Thanks for the info

 

Huggs Kim x



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Kim is way too busy planning to have a 'real' job!

Jay is a civillian Gov't Historian Randolph AFB TX (retired AD in '07 after 23 yrs)



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JayKim-no regrets wrote:

 There is 'free' WiFi here, but there are so many high trees, we have only ever had sporadic success reaching it through the WiFi ranger. 


Before investing in more WiFi 'stuff'.. take a laptop or mobile device up closer to the WiFi hotspot in the campground.. if you get a substantially better surfing experience, then it may be worthwhile improving your antenna setup.  But, we often find.. the campground WiFi itself is a bit lacking or overloaded, and not worth repeating.  But, we love being pleasantly surprised sometimes :)

We do have a Ubiquiti Nanostation antenna on a flagpole mount (link is to our article showing the setup) that we use for getting altitude to get above other RVs and trees an such, and for distance.. and gives us much better performance than our Sky alone. 



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Really don't understand all this negative talk about Millenicom. We have use it for years. Originally it was 3g. then went to 4g and they had a troublesome unit. We got the newer unit as soon as it came out and been happy with it ever since. We have never been throttled down. We have been in areas not as fast as others but their is nothing one can do about this unless you buy att, sprint, Verizon, etc and then you would have coverage unless just nothing works. That would be too expensive for most folks. Now we don't stream movies. We have Dish for that. If our unit quit today we would order another from Millenicom.

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Kim,

You are talking about two separate systems here for Internet backhaul (Internet connection). WiFi is a separate system from cellular, and the WFR (WiFiRanger) combines them (allows access to both) across your private LAN. So be careful about confusing them.

Since you are in a fixed location, for cellular you can use a yagi to increase the reception of your cellular signal. You might also consider using a Sleek amplifier in ADDITION to the yagi for best 4G reception. On cellular. I would try the yagi or panel antenna alone first. Putting it on a painters pole at your ladder might be the best location - getting it high is ALWAYS a good thing. But you DO have to pay attention to the cable distance and type of cable used. Since it is an analog signal it will lose power over distance and also by using "lighter" cable. This is an aspect that cannot be ignored. The entire system has to be properly designed to get maximum benefit.

On the wifi capture side - Do you have a WiFIRanger Mobile in addition to the router (Go2, I would guess)? Or just the Go2 router? If you have just the router then you can improve wifi capture SIGNIFICANTLY by adding the Mobile. But that will ONLY be of benefit if the wifi provided by the FamCamp is fast enough to be of benefit. I would take a laptop near the antenna that is closest to you - close enough that you have 4 or 5 bars (depends on your computer) - and then run a speed test. Use Speedtest.net. See if the reported speed is "viable". Try it during several times of the day when you would be using it. If it is a viable system then you can consider how to improve your capture of wifi. Otherwise, depend on cellular and put your money there.

If you want to understand how all this works and your options then consider buying The Mobile Internet Handbook. There is no better source of info (other than Chris and Cherie). Disclosure: I did contribute content to the book.



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Thank you Cherie, the signal is better if you are sitting right outside the office, the huge amount of high trees makes it almost impossible in the RV area though. Everyone complains, they promise improvements but so far the only difference has been a $40 increase in the monthly lot rent!....Appreciate the info.

Glenn, wasn't really being negative about Millenicom, just asking if we should expect more from it? Will update after the 3 hour 'reset' time frame, believe me, I would be ecstatic if it turns out as good as we hoped.

Huggs Kim x

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Kim is way too busy planning to have a 'real' job!

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Jack Mayer wrote:

Kim,

You are talking about two separate systems here for Internet backhaul (Internet connection). WiFi is a separate system from cellular, and the WFR (WiFiRanger) combines them (allows access to both) across your private LAN. So be careful about confusing them.

Since you are in a fixed location, for cellular you can use a yagi to increase the reception of your cellular signal. You might also consider using a Sleek amplifier in ADDITION to the yagi for best 4G reception. On cellular. I would try the yagi or panel antenna alone first. Putting it on a painters pole at your ladder might be the best location - getting it high is ALWAYS a good thing. But you DO have to pay attention to the cable distance and type of cable used. Since it is an analog signal it will lose power over distance and also by using "lighter" cable. This is an aspect that cannot be ignored. The entire system has to be properly designed to get maximum benefit.

On the wifi capture side - Do you have a WiFIRanger Mobile in addition to the router (Go2, I would guess)? Or just the Go2 router? If you have just the router then you can improve wifi capture SIGNIFICANTLY by adding the Mobile. But that will ONLY be of benefit if the wifi provided by the FamCamp is fast enough to be of benefit. I would take a laptop near the antenna that is closest to you - close enough that you have 4 or 5 bars (depends on your computer) - and then run a speed test. Use Speedtest.net. See if the reported speed is "viable". Try it during several times of the day when you would be using it. If it is a viable system then you can consider how to improve your capture of wifi. Otherwise, depend on cellular and put your money there.

If you want to understand how all this works and your options then consider buying The Mobile Internet Handbook. There is no better source of info (other than Chris and Cherie). Disclosure: I did contribute content to the book.


 Wow! Thank you Jack

That is a lot of info, will have to save this one for hubby, my (illiterate) tech mind just cried 'uncle' lol. Really appreciate you guys responding, thank you to everyone

 

Huggs Kim x



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Kim, do your test right outside the office for wifi. If it is good there, and you have good speed, take a look at using an NS2 (Ubiquity Nanostation 2; I'd use the M2 model that handles "n" networks). That can be connected to the WFR Go2 and is a directional radio device. It will give you the BEST chance of a highly usable signal at your coach. If you show any signal at all at your coach then using an NS2 should give you near the same speeds you show at the office. But you have to ensure that the campground speeds are worth the investment first....



-- Edited by Jack Mayer on Tuesday 30th of September 2014 11:08:02 AM

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The Junkman wrote:
bjoyce wrote:

http://www.att.com/maps/wireless-coverage.html is AT&T's coverage maps.  I find them reasonable for accuracy, just like Verizon.  Some places they show coverage that doesn't have it, due to hills and such.  Just like Verizon.   Since we picked up our AT&T hotspot in May 2013, we have had at least AT&T 3G at all of our stops.  In that time we have not had Verizon twice.  This is the opposite of our experience a few years ago, where Verizon won the coverage battle.  We have been in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington (La Conner Thousand Trails has Verizon only by the beach), Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan (Verizon around Buchanan is weak and flakey). 


 Looks like 3g is the buzz word..

As this map puts the others to shame..

 

http://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/consumer/4g-lte.html


As  Cherie said, AT&Ts HPSA+ (which they call 4G, but I mark as 3G) is faster than Verizon 3G.  I would rather have AT&T 3G than no service from Verizon.  

I do not have a 4G amplifier, I am waiting on one of the good ones.  I might have had usable Verizon service at the two places I did not with a good amplifier that boosts multiple devices without degrading.   I can wait, because I have both Verizon/Millenicom and AT&T.  



-- Edited by bjoyce on Tuesday 30th of September 2014 04:16:56 PM

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The Junkman wrote:

 Are they "throttling" ?

 


 Earlier in the month I bought a new tablet, it downloaded updates on updates and ended up using around 1.5GB in a few hours.  We are at 14.2GB right now and Millenicom is still fast.  I am not detecting throttling.  



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As this thread got way off base and argumentative between a couple of participants, I've deleted the "argument" and now I'm closing the thread.

Terry



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