tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post4660038492548251585..comments2024-03-11T03:11:57.221-04:00Comments on R Sanity RV Adventures: Verizon MiFi WoesPaul and Marti Dahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17332654035718777839noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-8899531424311368992013-07-25T01:36:57.333-04:002013-07-25T01:36:57.333-04:00So there actually is fair Sprint coverage at Quart...So there actually is fair Sprint coverage at Quartzsite? I am going to be out there for the first time this winter and need my daily internet fix. I do tend to eat through a lot of data so I'm weary about capped plans, plus I am sticking to prepaid plans. Virgin Mobile (and Boost) is sprint and offers unlimited hotspot on my device (throttled after 3.5GB) which is the best deal out there, it seems. The current RV park I am in out here in Arkansas, is in a pocket of bad data coverage in the middle of a city. I get 1x to 2G speeds. A mile down the road I get 3G speeds. If Quartzsite has good sprint coverage, even 2G, I might be happy with that compared to a 10GB limit with Verizon's Jetpack prepaid ($90) or 20GB with Mellenicom's Verizon plan ($70) with as much data usage as I consume. I guess I will just have to wait until I get there to see how things are though.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01304483910572653859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-31418341236147898602012-03-14T11:03:21.706-04:002012-03-14T11:03:21.706-04:00How does one change the password on their mi-fi? I...How does one change the password on their mi-fi? I have been looking for a way and can't figure it out.Aliciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093789942623270019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-75535079264219163522012-03-13T17:08:15.907-04:002012-03-13T17:08:15.907-04:00well, this is just plain scary. we got a Verizon ...well, this is just plain scary. we got a Verizon MiFi in December, and in February we finally made the big jump and cancelled our Hughesnet satellite service here at home. So far, we haven't exceeded our 5 gig. I will have to go figure out how to change the password, however. Since the MiFi is now my only connection to the world at home as well as on the road, and I work on the computer at home, as I said, it is a bit scary. I still have my ATT cell phone, however. The satellite was just too slow for my work connection to function and it works great with the MiFi. sigh again. scary stuffSue Malonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00332448503740101970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-683339072604140332012-03-13T12:56:09.745-04:002012-03-13T12:56:09.745-04:00We had the MiFi 4G joke too and it was horrible. ...We had the MiFi 4G joke too and it was horrible. Went back to my Verizon USB stick from them and it works great. My son found an external antenna that we set on top the rig when we're parked and it really boosts the signal when it is marginal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-18218403582180695162012-03-13T10:34:40.132-04:002012-03-13T10:34:40.132-04:00We changed over to Millenicom. Uses the Novatel U...We changed over to Millenicom. Uses the Novatel U760 aircard thru our Cradlepoint PHS300 secured personal wifi hotspot. Our plan is the 20G, $59.99 a month from checking account, no taxes, no contracts and great customer service and runs through the Verizon towers but don't have to deal with Verizon. Our plan is no longer available on the website but they do show a 50G plan for $69.99 using your aircard. The unlimited plans run through Sprint towers (or did when we were looking).<br /><br />Stay SafeFD5, Retiredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16978147245351525654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-32263433683510502822012-03-13T09:50:07.621-04:002012-03-13T09:50:07.621-04:00We love Verizon ~ but didn't know about the pa...We love Verizon ~ but didn't know about the password problem... We will be changing it soon!!!<br />Thanks for the info!!!<br />Donnasquawmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814752309515986976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-71842810900759108612012-03-13T09:09:07.879-04:002012-03-13T09:09:07.879-04:00I have also found that the ads on so many webpages...I have also found that the ads on so many webpages eat up a lot of bandwidth. They also seem to detect how fast your connection is and load up more if it is faster. Chrome, Firefox and IE all have Adblocking extensions/add-ons, download and enable one and see if it helps. I use Adblock Plus on Chrome.Bill Joycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01784065573699127578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-86665628724652564102012-03-13T08:52:41.991-04:002012-03-13T08:52:41.991-04:00Interesting, so my Sprint phone hotspot I pay for ...Interesting, so my Sprint phone hotspot I pay for will not provide me service on the road? It's 30 a month and this is critical to my work. Please respond as I'm quite interesting in your thoughts.Webangel2bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06855379036272202578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-66753611452188409252012-03-13T08:33:08.864-04:002012-03-13T08:33:08.864-04:00Well, I guess this Verizon MiFi 4G is a problem. ...Well, I guess this Verizon MiFi 4G is a problem. We have it only because our Pantek modem from Verizon kept getting error messages and Verizon said they would send us the MiFi. I truly thought we were getting lucky. Have had it about 3 months now and have my own password set up. We live in the country with no neighbors and do not stream movies or music or anything like that. Still going over the 10G maximum each month and cannot figure out why. Guess it is time to call Verizon and see what is up. Wish me luck. I know that I am not happy at this point.Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09796279690368644614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-85280040584846074722012-03-13T08:06:33.070-04:002012-03-13T08:06:33.070-04:00We have been over on our mi-fi every month since w...We have been over on our mi-fi every month since we got it. People say you use more data because it's so much faster..hunh? We don't know why. We don't stream anything, don't watch movies. Never were over on our air card..the Verizon people INSISTED the password with the mi-fi was all the security we needed. Now we know better. The mi-fi unit turns itself off now for no reason, willy nilly. Service has steadily gotten worse as far as signal and speed. we're disgusted to say the least! Thanks for the report!Jeannie and Eldyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-78638561598026658282012-03-13T07:46:48.226-04:002012-03-13T07:46:48.226-04:00Thanks for the tip about the password. I assumed ...Thanks for the tip about the password. I assumed the long number on the back of the MiFi was plenty good for a secure password.. naive, I guess. I got it changed this morning first thing!<br /><br />We haven't really had trouble with our MiFi, but we frequently do go over our allowed 3G, and we couldn't understand why. Maybe we now have our answer!Karen and Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-77294853160123263682012-03-13T06:56:18.512-04:002012-03-13T06:56:18.512-04:00Sorry to hear about your Verizon woes. I've r...Sorry to hear about your Verizon woes. I've read quite a few complaints about the Verizon mi-fi and how the 4G is a data hog. We set up our CradlePoint with the highest security level and what we hope is a good, strong password. Our aircard runs off the Verizon network, but isn't with Verizon. Time will tell, I suppose, how well we did in securing everything. Good luck with your Sprint mi-fi ... hope you get reliable service again.Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08333995679958103393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-53384121784489819222012-03-13T06:18:06.121-04:002012-03-13T06:18:06.121-04:00Try the Verizon air card! I tried the mi-fi, and ...Try the Verizon air card! I tried the mi-fi, and gave up on it after a couple weeks. The air card is not as fast as the mi-fi, but it WORKS! I've had a Verizon air card for years and loved it. It was slow, but soooooo reliable! The newer one is faster, and still just as reliable. We travel in a motorhome throughout the midwest and south ( however, no experience out west) and I LOVE MY VERIZON AIR CARD! Great service, too. Also, just got an iPhone from Verizon, and the personal help has been terrific, both over the phone with tech, and in person at Verizon stores. I LOVE VERIZON!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-14719997536404451872012-03-13T03:57:21.302-04:002012-03-13T03:57:21.302-04:00I have heard your pain, many, many times. I am a ...I have heard your pain, many, many times. I am a computer consultant, 30 years now. Internet in campgrounds is always a hot topic. I often find campers broadcasting with little or no security. If I can identify them (sometimes very easy) I warn them, but most refuse to believe it will be a problem. It is not the internet provider's fault if you don't secure your wi-fi signal, as only you can do it. Perhaps they should provide better warnings, but most RV'rs have a trusting nature. I personally use an ATT 4g data card hooked to a Cradlepoint router. When hooking to a 3g area, things are a bit slower when I used to use my 3g card, but 4g is fast, and LTE is very fast. I have traveled across the country many times, many routes, yes there are dead spots, but for the most part I am very happy with ATT, and have always had good customer service. I usually use between 4-7gb per month, yes it costs me $10-$20 more each month when I go over, but with so many downloading movies and TV shows, there has to be something to curb excessive use. And it is true, for every carrier there are good and bad results, sticking with the one you like best is a good idea.<br />Journey39nAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-74935831530642215382012-03-13T00:07:23.640-04:002012-03-13T00:07:23.640-04:00I'm not real thrilled with the 4G mifi either ...I'm not real thrilled with the 4G mifi either from Verizon but it works most of the time for us. We haven't had a problem with the 5g - only occasionally come close to 3. Thanks for the info about the password.Jim and Sandiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16108729200561576870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-7743122578072377932012-03-12T23:45:59.858-04:002012-03-12T23:45:59.858-04:00We have a Verizon MiFi and since they went 4G, we&...We have a Verizon MiFi and since they went 4G, we've had bad service and connections in every respect. We've wanted to cancel the contract and do something different but on this trip through the S.W. coverage has been better. We've been pacified for a while yet. What are you going to get now?Prettypics123https://www.blogger.com/profile/05002015227586327112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-48740929342895700112012-03-12T23:25:25.213-04:002012-03-12T23:25:25.213-04:00Kevin & Ruth,
Actually, Verizon could explain...Kevin & Ruth,<br /><br />Actually, Verizon could explain the overages by running a check of our account and listing the downloads, streaming webbsites, etc. They have access to all that information.<br /><br />Instead, they took the position that is was our fault. So we're done with them.<br /><br />Sherry,<br /><br />We got some money refunded towards our contract buy out, but not the whole amount. It was a decsion to cut our loss and get out while the getting was good.Paul and Marti Dahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17332654035718777839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-24673702307455816602012-03-12T23:21:13.782-04:002012-03-12T23:21:13.782-04:00We have yet to use an air card, but am sure glad t...We have yet to use an air card, but am sure glad to have the hint about changing password. Seems someone might have told you this when you got it. Sorry you did not get someone in customer service who could have figured this out for you. You would think they would not want a dissatisfied customer blogging how the service received!cathiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10624784808773592019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-19959481731930544542012-03-12T22:58:08.448-04:002012-03-12T22:58:08.448-04:00So if I had to look at this story in fairness and ...So if I had to look at this story in fairness and with an open mind...<br /><br />I would say that while I believe that Verizon probably provided you with poor customer service (because it seems that is the way with ANY cellular service provider), I do not believe that it was Verizon's fault that your account got hacked.<br /><br />In fact, if you look at it from Verizon's point of view, how were they supposed to explain your overage when it obviously wan't their fault?Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-79464146179341536272012-03-12T22:57:25.986-04:002012-03-12T22:57:25.986-04:00IT guru, huh? Well, I'm not so sure about tha...IT guru, huh? Well, I'm not so sure about that. I'm just glad that you won't have any more surprises when you get your next bill. We still use our cradlepoint routers with our cards and we'll probably stick with them over a MiFi. We have both Verizon and ATT. Every time we think about getting rid of one, we end up without service on the other one. Who knows what we'll do.Wanderin'https://www.blogger.com/profile/18099094689836499939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-43803991487206950452012-03-12T22:54:06.645-04:002012-03-12T22:54:06.645-04:00This is VERY interesting information Paul. How di...This is VERY interesting information Paul. How did you get out of your contract so you could switch back to sprint?? Was it a 2year or a 5 year? David just switched us from an air card with which I was very happy to a wifi so he could have the non existant and not faster 4G and we have had nothing but trouble with it.Sherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328866430156879312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-28033380201291744692012-03-12T22:48:54.661-04:002012-03-12T22:48:54.661-04:00Sorry to hear of your bad experience with Verizon....Sorry to hear of your bad experience with Verizon. I have had Verizon for 8 years for cell phones and 3 years for their modem on my laptop. Always had great service and never even came close to using 5GB. I will be upgrading to one of their Mi-Fi systems when we head out full timing in June. Thanks for the tip on the password. I can see how a "neighbor" could tap into your system for free if they were savvy (and dishonest). Hope your new Sprint system works well for you.Jim Sathehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10625815911858730199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-9898263947724594602012-03-12T22:45:50.470-04:002012-03-12T22:45:50.470-04:00Amazing. We have had nothing but super service and...Amazing. We have had nothing but super service and coverage. Of course there are dead spots as we found in Death Valley. But no service reaches that area and others. <br /><br />I'm sorry you had bad luck with them. We really like Verizon. It has served us well. <br /><br />Thank goodness there is a plan that is good for you.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372145654394782677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-58398488268427578482012-03-12T22:31:58.978-04:002012-03-12T22:31:58.978-04:00life in an RV with crappy internet is not a good t...life in an RV with crappy internet is not a good thing!..glad you got rid of them and are back with what works for you!!<br />Cheers to 'lightning fast' internet always!!Sue and Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11436889944386917688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6388266709789139581.post-5621517475253600112012-03-12T21:51:29.981-04:002012-03-12T21:51:29.981-04:00So very sorry for your experience with Verizon. W...So very sorry for your experience with Verizon. We have been with them for so many years that we are grandfathered in so many different ways and have ALWAYS been happy with their customer service.<br /><br />This seems to be a thing with everyone...some swear by one company and another person swears at the same company...strange!<br /><br />Glad you found something better at Sprint...as for us, we will stick with Verizon!Along the Way with JnKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06016391687029664293noreply@blogger.com