Internet service is always an issue when traveling. It is hard to rely on a campground's internet service, even though sometimes that is inevitable. Since a "smart" TV uses WiFi to run Roku and other stations, I looked for a WiFi source to run our television. We were using the hotspots on our tablet and cell phones, but even if you have unlimited service, you can eventually run out of high speed data and get throttled back. My main goal in getting our own WiFi service was to run the TV, since we use WiFi for the LG channels and Roku.
I researched a lot of different companies who say they offer unlimited data plans, but I found most of them were pretty expensive. You can get Visible, which claims not to throttle you down. Visible is an offshoot of Verizon and uses their towers, however, after reading some of the reviews, I chose not to get it. Some of the people complain that there are so many people using Visible, that their service slows down and you do not get quality internet coverage. All of the other companies I looked at were quite expensive.
Some people get the WeBoost which boost campground internet service. That is very expensive and if the campground's internet is not very good, then you don't get good service. I was looking for a plan that would not rely on campground internet service. The more people that use the campground's internet, the slower it gets. I did buy a Alpha Camp Pro2 with 4G, which serves as a professionally tuned and highly integrated system that retrieves and extend Internet access for RV & yacht from remote WiFi hotspots. I have never used it however.
So, after looking at all our options for a hotspot for our television, I decided to get the hotspot offered through FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) through their TechConnect+. FMCA has teamed with AT&T to bring its members an outstanding benefit. Access to the AT&T mobile hotspot plan is included in the FMCA Tech Connect+ benefit, package-priced at just $59.99 per month. The plan being offered through AT&T is a very usable 12 Mbps max speed, with the option to upgrade to 25 Mbps for an additional $5.00 per month. The plan is still unlimited data and is truly unlimited. If you have used 75 GBs or more, and you are in a congested area, you may notice reduced speeds because of data prioritization. Members must have at least 1 year of active membership remaining to take advantage of this Benefit Package.
We have had this service since October 2021 and have had minimal problems with throttling. We enjoy watching over the air TV, but most of the stations we watch come through the LG channels and Roku. And with Roku we get access to a whole bunch of stations, including Amazon Prime to watch movies. I do recommend getting the hotspot from FMCA. It is a very good program for the money. However, we are not using this service at the present time because . . .
In December 2022, we decided to get into satellite internet because there are many places that do not have cell towers to pick up data (FMCA hotspot). We purchased the Starlink Satellite for RVs. It arrived in about a week -- a rectangular dish, a wireless router, and a very long cord. I set the satellite up facing north, downloaded the Starlink App on my cell phone and proceeded to set it up. It really is easy - just follow the directions. I was able to name our Satellite and pick my own password as well. I then sat with my phone facing north next to the dish and let it search the sky for the satellite. That took a while, but was eventually successful. You really do need a good view of the sky with no obstructions (buildings, trees). After setting it all up, I was able to wirelessly connect all of our devices to it. The initial cost for the satellite was around $600, and our monthly invoice for service is $150 (billed automatically).
We have traveled since the purchase and I was worried that I would have an issue getting a connection, but it was actually quite easy. I had to disconnect the dish from the router for transportation (keep the router plugged in), and then reconnect the cord back into the router, set the dish facing north, and then it actually searches the sky itself for the satellite. Our devices then hooked up on their own to the router.
It's now two years later and we are still using the Starlink and are very happy with it. We have a lot of devices hooked up to it and do not have any issues with the amount of devices it can handle. I think it was the best WiFi decision we made.
FREE MONTH FOR ME AND YOU! I am here to share Starlink with my friends and family. Each time you purchase through this referral link and activate your Starlink, we both you will receive a credit for one month of free service. How great is that! Please click on this LINK which will take you to my Referral Starlink Account.
I researched a lot of different companies who say they offer unlimited data plans, but I found most of them were pretty expensive. You can get Visible, which claims not to throttle you down. Visible is an offshoot of Verizon and uses their towers, however, after reading some of the reviews, I chose not to get it. Some of the people complain that there are so many people using Visible, that their service slows down and you do not get quality internet coverage. All of the other companies I looked at were quite expensive.
Some people get the WeBoost which boost campground internet service. That is very expensive and if the campground's internet is not very good, then you don't get good service. I was looking for a plan that would not rely on campground internet service. The more people that use the campground's internet, the slower it gets. I did buy a Alpha Camp Pro2 with 4G, which serves as a professionally tuned and highly integrated system that retrieves and extend Internet access for RV & yacht from remote WiFi hotspots. I have never used it however.
So, after looking at all our options for a hotspot for our television, I decided to get the hotspot offered through FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) through their TechConnect+. FMCA has teamed with AT&T to bring its members an outstanding benefit. Access to the AT&T mobile hotspot plan is included in the FMCA Tech Connect+ benefit, package-priced at just $59.99 per month. The plan being offered through AT&T is a very usable 12 Mbps max speed, with the option to upgrade to 25 Mbps for an additional $5.00 per month. The plan is still unlimited data and is truly unlimited. If you have used 75 GBs or more, and you are in a congested area, you may notice reduced speeds because of data prioritization. Members must have at least 1 year of active membership remaining to take advantage of this Benefit Package.
We have had this service since October 2021 and have had minimal problems with throttling. We enjoy watching over the air TV, but most of the stations we watch come through the LG channels and Roku. And with Roku we get access to a whole bunch of stations, including Amazon Prime to watch movies. I do recommend getting the hotspot from FMCA. It is a very good program for the money. However, we are not using this service at the present time because . . .
In December 2022, we decided to get into satellite internet because there are many places that do not have cell towers to pick up data (FMCA hotspot). We purchased the Starlink Satellite for RVs. It arrived in about a week -- a rectangular dish, a wireless router, and a very long cord. I set the satellite up facing north, downloaded the Starlink App on my cell phone and proceeded to set it up. It really is easy - just follow the directions. I was able to name our Satellite and pick my own password as well. I then sat with my phone facing north next to the dish and let it search the sky for the satellite. That took a while, but was eventually successful. You really do need a good view of the sky with no obstructions (buildings, trees). After setting it all up, I was able to wirelessly connect all of our devices to it. The initial cost for the satellite was around $600, and our monthly invoice for service is $150 (billed automatically).
We have traveled since the purchase and I was worried that I would have an issue getting a connection, but it was actually quite easy. I had to disconnect the dish from the router for transportation (keep the router plugged in), and then reconnect the cord back into the router, set the dish facing north, and then it actually searches the sky itself for the satellite. Our devices then hooked up on their own to the router.
It's now two years later and we are still using the Starlink and are very happy with it. We have a lot of devices hooked up to it and do not have any issues with the amount of devices it can handle. I think it was the best WiFi decision we made.
FREE MONTH FOR ME AND YOU! I am here to share Starlink with my friends and family. Each time you purchase through this referral link and activate your Starlink, we both you will receive a credit for one month of free service. How great is that! Please click on this LINK which will take you to my Referral Starlink Account.