Verizon MiFi for Snowbirds

[Ohiogirl]

Is there anyone here who is using a Verizon mifi (I think 4G) mobile hotspot exclusively for internet access both in TV and up north?

All my contracts are up, and I am trying to figure out whether to go with a $50/mo Verizon mifi device with 4G service or whether to get separate internet plans both here and up north, and put them "on vacation" when I can.

Is this one device really sufficient? How much are you on the computer? And do you also need a modem and/or router, or is this all you need?

We would probably use 2-4 hours of email, web surfing and linking to a few videos daily, no video games, don't stream tv shows or movies or download music.

[jannd228]

Is there anyone here who is using a Verizon mifi (I think 4G) mobile hotspot exclusively for internet access both in TV and up north?

All my contracts are up, and I am trying to figure out whether to go with a $50/mo Verizon mifi device with 4G service or whether to get separate internet plans both here and up north, and put them "on vacation" when I can.

Is this one device really sufficient? How much are you on the computer? And do you also need a modem and/or router, or is this all you need?

We would probably use 2-4 hours of email, web surfing and linking to a few videos daily, no video games, don't stream tv shows or movies or download music.

I was using one of those, it was supposed to be $50/month ended up being $100 just Internet. One might be good for one place and not the other it depends on how much you use it and if you are in a brick building it doesn't work well at all

I was using the USB device Virgin Mobile | Shop Broadband2Go Devices (http://www.virginmobileusa.com/shop/mobile-broadband/broadband-2-go/)

[hotrodgirl]

I currently use Verizon MiFi and have never gone beyond my 50 dollar limit. I use it both at home and for travel, so I am curious to know how you managed to get to 100 dollars! What I particularly like about it is thet you can connect up to 5 devices at once. I am using it now for my IPad, and when I travel I just take it with me and can connect virtually anywhere. You do not need a router, etc... And I highly doubt you would overun 50 dollars per month. I have had mine over a year now and have never exceeded that. I use a PC, laptop, IPad and wireless printer with it, and sometimes a netbook as well. No problems!

[BobnBev]

We are both on it constantly both here and up North. So far have not used the 5GB we get for $50/month. It works great for us.

[memason]

Just a note on the MiFi usage....

The new Apple iPhones 5's (Verizon) are capable of being a WiFi hotspot. Therefore, you can use them to connect up to 5 devices to the internet. They are also 4G or LTE devices. They function same as the MiFi unit.

Just another option and seems to work well. It does, however, go against your data usage.

[gomoho]

I live in Hadley and can barely get a call connected on my Verizon Droid - always being dropped or not connecting. It's not the phone 'cause I am currently in the Georgia mountains with 4G and all bars. So my question is if I can pick up a decent cell signal how could the MIFI work???? Don't even know for sure what it is but always looking to improve costs on internet.

[raynitsche]

Hotrodgirl or guy could you tell me if you pay monthly or a 1-2 year contract Thanks.

[hotrodgirl]

I have a Droid currently and MiFi. No connection problems with either, but will get a new phone soon thru Verizon. My MiFi and phone are billed together, once monthly. You do NOT need a contract for the MiFi price. But you do pay for the device itself upfront. When I got mine it was almost free, as there was a rebate. So my billing consists of the 50 dollar charge for MiFi and my phone 69 dollars or 119... Hope that helped! But I avoid Internet charges at home and am able to use all my devices anywhere.

[Ecuadog]

I bought an unlocked (GSM) Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Android 4.1) phone from Google. "You can share your phone's mobile data connection with a single computer via USB tethering or Bluetooth tethering. You can also share your data connection with up to 10 devices at once, by turning it into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot."

I activated it with a T-Mobile monthly, 4G, prepaid, no-contract, web-exclusive offering (http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans). It runs $30 a month with 100 minutes of talk, unlimited text and unlimited web (first 5GB at up to 4G speeds). If you go over 100 minutes of talk, it's 10 cents a minute. I don't use a lot of talk.

So far, so good. I haven't tried it in TV yet, but I'll be there soon.

[Ohiogirl]

Still on the fence. Going to the Verizon store this week to change cell plans so will talk more. I am pretty sure that right now you have to get a 2 yr contract at $50/mo for the 4G (I'm not sure about this) and maybe more for the 5G.

What someone got 2 mos. ago or in a different state might not be what they are offering now or here. And no one company (deliberately) has the same plans, so there is no apples to apples comparison. What also bugs me about cell phone service is that there is no money back if it doesn't get good connectivity, at least that I know of.

We are in a brick condo building up North in the summer, so it concerns me whether or not we'd have a problem with the signal, but people who have Verizon phones have good coverage in our condo. We did not with Sprint, but if we walked a half block away from our building we did.

The Mifi signal is a cellphone tower signal, correct?

[oot]

I have the MiFi and our home is in Santiago. I have no problems with the connection in Florida or up north in Michigan. I bought the device before I bought my Droid. I guess you would need to compare costs between the two now that Verizon has changed their pricing with the everything plans.

[hotrodgirl]

No contract for the MiFi with Verizon. Just the 50 per month.

[babynurse]

Our introductory rate with Comcast is about up, and they are raising the rates in NY, so we have been considering using a Verizon device. My biggest concern is that I teach online, so need reliable and fast connection. We do not download music, videos, or play games, but when I am grading I can be online several hours a day.
During a recent visit to the Verizon store, we learned that our NY home is not within a 4G area yet, but TV is. We also learned that you have a 14 day trial period during which you can return the device and change plans for a $30 fee. Our plan is to get the device one week before we leave for TV, enabling us to test it in both places within the 14 day period. We also will still have current internet plans in effect as a backup until we decide.
I appreciate hearing others experiences with this.

[gomoho]

As I said in a previous post I cannot get a decent signal in Hadley with Verizon. We also rented off Buttonwood and couldn't get a signal there either. Does anyone in TV have a good Verizon connection????

[PJOHNS2654]

As I said in a previous post I cannot get a decent signal in Hadley with Verizon. We also rented off Buttonwood and couldn't get a signal there either. Does anyone in TV have a good Verizon connection????

we get very good reception in S.S.

[jimbo2012]

One thing I should point out although the batteries have a charger after about 18 months replace the reception is affected even plugged in.....strange

[Ebsmom]

We live in Village of Charlotte and use MiFi only with good connection. We have yet to go over our 5g usage plan for $50 per month. If it becomes a problem only then would we consider alternative Internet options. Good luck with whatever you decide!
Ebsmom

[samhass]

I bought the Verizon Mifi hotspot last year. I consistently use more than the allotted 5G monthly. My husband likes to download audiobooks. I am thinking about paying the penalty to get out of the contract.

[Ohiogirl]

Thanks for all of the comments. I checked out our estimated usage on the Verizon website and think I would be constantly checking to see if we were approaching the limit - knowing myself, I think I would become an Internet Usage Nag, and don't want to go there.

Downloading files is the big user, it appears. We look at you-tube videos and I also sometimes stream a Columbus PBS radio station show. I also download library books and am not sure how this would affect usage.

Right now, internet service pricing is low - up north I'm going to be able to get 10 mbps for $32.74 plus tax and a 9.95 charge when it's on "vacation." Down here, we just went with the Centurylink plan of $59.99/mo for landline phone with free long distance and Internet with 10 mbps speed. It's $14/mo. on vacation mode (for the phone, 0 for internet vacation). Have 700 shared minutes on our cell plan, and can't get decent reception with anyone but Verizon in Sabal Chase, so switching today. We would need more minutes if we didn't have a landline here, plus I'm still not comfortable without it. Think we can be ok with 700 minutes in Ohio.

[The Wooz]

I have the Verizon MI-FI hot spot and am on my lap top maybe an hour during the day. I've had it since May and in the past month or so, it goes "dormant" and I have to reboot it. Other than that, it's fine for my use.

[scarecrow1]

I live in buttonwood and my reception is great with both my phone and MiFi. My son works for Verizon and says that with a purchase of a new 4g phone you will get the everything plan and that makes your phone a hot-spot for ten devices. We will be going to that service when he buys a new phone in December. We will no longer be on MiFi at that time. There is 4 g in the villages but you have to remember that you need 4 g devices to get 4 g quality otherwise you still only get 3 g. Hope this helps. Any questions call Verizon and they will be more than glad to help.

[CaptJohn]

I have the Verizon MI-FI hot spot and am on my lap top maybe an hour during the day. I've had it since May and in the past month or so, it goes "dormant" and I have to reboot it. Other than that, it's fine for my use.

How many g's per month in usage is that? (for 30 hours assuming 1 hr per day?)
I'm trying to get some idea of how much my usage would be up against the 5g limit before overcharges.