Best wifi hotspot device/service?

[precip9]

This is off topic, but my dad, my bro, and I are exclusively Thinkpad users.

My dad and bro will be staying in a Palm Beach condo for a month. Because the condo is not continuously occupied, it isn't feasible to install even DSL. My dad needs his email, and to stare at CNN. My bro is actually a linux developer, but since he keeps his head in a dark, unlighted place, I am handling this for both of them.

The question is: who has the best prepaid, or by the month plan, that would accomodate their usage. While both are not big downloaders, my dad's friends stuff his mailbox with gag videos. My bro downloads a lot of source.

The last time I looked at plans/devices, the best plans had the most gotchas. Hidden charges, gimmicks, and price disparities were rife. The way I handle this is with an Android phone, a grandfathered data plan, a tethering app, and VPN to fool the carrier. But my dad and bro have antique phones. Neither is a candidate for an upgrade. My bro is such a linux diehard, that small tasks of this nature become research projects. So only a hotspot solution can be considered.

Thoughts? Experiences?

[rkawakami]

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=111953 <- My review of Virgin Mobile (Sprint) Braodband2Go service using an Overdrive Pro 3G/4G unit

It's been almost a year since I started using this hotspot and it has been working out pretty good. Good enough for me to buy a Sprint-branded unit five months later and sign up for service via Toast.net Toast piggybacks on the same Sprint network as Virgin Mobile (VM) but only offered metered service on both 3G and 4G (WiMAX). As stated in my review, I have the "unlimited" 4G access plan with the VM account but they are not offering that option any more. Thinking I might need a backup solution in case I had a problem with the VM hotspot and since I was already invested in the battery and AC adapters used by the Overdrive Pro, I went and bought a used Sprint-branded Overdrive Pro off of eBay. I had looked at the various data plans and saw that Toast.net offered a "bring your own device" option at a price and data allotment that worked for me ($30/mo 2GB). It's a month-to-month, no contract service so you can stop, suspend or change plans at any time.

I have rarely exceeded the monthly data allotment on either plan but if I remember correctly, the VM will auto-renew if you use up your data early. The only thing is you have to sign into your account and verify that action (web access is redirected to your VM account page). Both VM and Toast seemed to be very up-front about the costs. VM has raised their prices/lowered the data allotment since I signed up (now $55/mo 6GB or $25 for 1.5GB). Toast.net appears to be holding the line somewhat ($60/mo 6GB, $40 for 3GB, $30 for 2GB). It sounds like your father may be the one who dictates the data plan. If he's watching CNN online, then I'd probably go for the 6GB plan for the month they will be in Florida. If going with VM or Toast, be sure to check the data coverage maps that Sprint has on their site. Depending on which hotspot device you select (i.e., 4G system being used: LTE, WiMAX, Spark), make sure you reference the correct map. For my usage here in San Jose, they were pretty accurate on the WiMAX coverage I was going to get. Although it doesn't sound like you will be impacted by this, the VM hotpsot is limited to 5 WiFi devices at one time, while I believe the Toast.net unit can handle 8.

ref: http://www.toast.net/services/wireless/plans.asp
ref: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-b ... /overview/\
ref: http://coverage.sprint.com/IMPACT.jsp

[Brad]

In parts of Florida and in Palm Beach you have Comcast. They would offer the internet service for as long as you want it with no contract. So just having it for a month is not complicated. Depending on the location they may need to come and install it but unlikely as most places already have had the service and they would give you a self install kit with your cable modem at their stores. They even offer cable modems with built in wireless. They run specials often for $25 per month. If not figure $40 for a month. They do charge a modem rental fee so if you have a standard broadband modem you may be able to use it to save the rental fee. You can drop the modem off at the store on the way to the airport. Sometimes there is a drop box outside the store to leave the modem and other equipment so the store doesn't even have to be open.

Call them at 800 COMCAST.

Brad

[GomJabbar]

I have (2) hotspots. A Verizon Pantech unlocked "Global Ready" Jetpack 4G LTE hotspot with a 10Gb/mo plan. Plan costs me $90.08 per month including all fees and taxes. I also have an AT&T Sierra Wireless Elevate 4G hotspot. I believe costs are similar, but I have it included in a family plan with 4 other lines, so I'm not sure what it would cost by itself. Both hotspots use LTE and are similar in speed. AFAIK, neither one works in LTE mode outside the USA, although the Verizon hotspot will work in 3G mode outside of the USA.

If T-Mobile has coverage in your area, they may have a cheaper 4G LTE hotspot and plan. Possibly the same with Sprint.

Perhaps the following helps. Note that there are monthly as well as prepaid plans. I have monthly plans on my devices, but prepaid may be a better option for you.
http://www.businessinsider.com/verizon- ... ing-2014-9

[precip9]

It appears I misdirected this thread by mentioning the word "plans." That was a mistake on my part. The need is for a short-term, prepaid solution.

[rkawakami]

The other posters and myself have used "plans" as that is exactly how the companies offer wireless access. It's so much data per month. You can get 1GB, 2GB, 5GB, 10GB "plans". Some offer only 1 or 2 year contracts. What you want is a month-to-month "plan" with no penalty for cancelling service and I believe that is exactly what you get with Virgin Mobile and Toast.net "no-contract" services.

[precip9]

What you want is a month-to-month "plan" with no penalty for cancelling service and I believe that is exactly what you get with Virgin Mobile and Toast.net "no-contract" services.

Ray, your response is right on target. The Virgin/Toast option is the most viable so far. Amazon reviews question the functionality of the hotspot adapter, implying that it must be bought for immediate use, and immediately tested. The prospective users, my dad and brother, have not demanded immediate action.

Prepaid data is where most of the marketing innovation occurs. Hopefully, this thread will not be diverted to conventional "plans", which evolve slowly, year over year.

[goofyGAguy]

he keeps his head in a dark, unlighted place,