Confused about how to get internet as full-timer

[Labauer]

We will become full-timers next Summer. We are buying 5th wheel directly from factory. We opted not to get a satellite dish. RV comes with attenna and Smart led hd tv with blu tooth player. We ordered a wifi booster to be installed. We have a roku device in our home along with att uverse. I'm confused as to what I should be looking into to get internet service so we can watch tv. Should we keep our roku to use on rv tv too? How can we watch different shows on two tvs?

[chindog]

Watching TV over internet service would be extremely expensive. You might want to think about a satellite dish for TV, and a Verizon mifi for web surfing.

[GR "Scott" Cundiff]

As chindog says you aren't going to watch TV via internet. Dish or Directtv is your best bet. Here's my take on internet solutions: http://pastorscott.com/travel/advice-getting-internet-while-rving/

[Chad Heiser]

The only reliable internet source you will have available on the road that can handle the bandwidth to watch internet based TV will be cellular based. This means using data over a cellular carrier. In other words, you will be blowing through lots of data per month and it will end up getting very expensive. Park wifi is very rarely reliable enough to support streaming video like this and even where it might be good enough to do it, you would be clogging up the bandwidth for other park users. The best and most reliable way to watch television on the road is via an over the air antenna to receive local programming for the area or via a satellite system like dish network or direct tv.

 

Your coach should come with an over the air antenna and most areas near civilization will have at least a basic selection of channels available. If you are out in the boonies, though, you're channel choices will be limited or nonexistent. Satellite is the most reliable way to get TV to your coach as long as you can see the southern sky. This can be accomplished with a portable dish you set up at each location you visit or with a roof mounted antenna like the winegard Trav'ler that is automatic. Either of these systems will allow you to watch any channel on multiple TV's with the proper receivers from either dish network or direct tv.

 

You can also go with a dome type satellite dish, but you cannot watch different channels on different TV's unless those channels are on the same satellite. Also, direct tv will be standard definition only with a dome type satellite dish.

[rynosback]

We were going to get a satellite dish and pay the monthly fee when we started off full timing, but we thought we would try to record shows from OTA first. And it has worked out for us. We went with an over DVR with a 1tb hard drive. I can record two shows at a time and watch a 3rd live if needed. But this all depends on what stations you are getting at your location. We also use data to stream shows towards the end of our month with Verizon. That way we do not go over our 18 gigs.

[Technomadia]

Watching TV over internet while being mobile can get tricky.

 

It's possible, but how to go about it will depend a lot on your travel style. Will you be moving often, or staying seasonally? Near cities, out in the boonies?

 

We stream movies and TV shows pretty much exclusively over cellular, by keeping some unlimited cellular data plans. They're available on all of the carriers.

 

Here's our guide to TV & Movie Viewing Options for RVers - that may help you re-think your entertainment setup.

 

And for mobile internet in general, here's our Overview to Mobile Internet for RVers that might help.

 

- Cherie

[Yarome]

We stream movies and TV shows pretty much exclusively over cellular, by keeping some unlimited cellular data plans. They're available on all of the carriers.

 

Here's our guide to TV & Movie Viewing Options for RVers - that may help you re-think your entertainment setup.

 

And for mobile internet in general, here's our Overview to Mobile Internet for RVers that might help.

 

- Cherie

 

Cherie.. that's funny.. I was JUST about to post info and a link for the OP for your "Navigating Verizon Grandfathered Unlimited Data Plans" page.

 

Labauer, Technomadia is pretty much THE most comprehensive information you'll find when it comes to mobile communications, TV and internet.. including unbiased reviews of the latest equipment available.

[wildmandmc]

OTA is probably your best bet for TV. As for streaming, depending on where you live or actually where your going to go. Cell Phone plans will cost, Data is going to be chewed up like a bag of french fries. Look see if cell phone companys like T-Mobil, Metro Pcs could work for ya. unlimited is your key to keeping your money in your pocket.

[skunk workz]

We us streaming exclusively, and never connect to campground WiFi, but like others said you'll need a lot of data to do it. Without our Verizon unlimited plan we wouldn't be able to do it.

I'd suggest digging deep into the content from Technomadia that Cherie and Yarome posted above even if you decide not to do streaming.

[Biker56]

 

Sprint - Unlimitedville offers a rental Sprint based plan for $100/month. Sprint's direct smartphone unlimited data plans only include 5GB of mobile hotspot usage.

I have a Sprint plan from Sprint. Unlimited Voice, text, data on iPhone with 3GB hotspot for $60 month plus taxes/add on total $67.75.

After the 3GB hotspot is used. The hotspot still works at a much slower speed for email and such. Or you can add on 1GB $15, 3GB $35, 6GB $50,

12GB $80, 30GB $110 when the 3GB is used up.

 

Last summer in a 5 month trip from FL. to MI. and back. I only had 2 places that I had no Sprint hotspot service and the only service in that area was AT&T.

My backup Verizon Straighttalk Hotspot didn't work in those 2 areas either.

 

Another back up Hotspot I use for Sprint is Karma Go. 1GB for $14, 5GB for $59, 10GB for $99 a little more per GB but they never expire until used up.

 

Between those and my WiFiRanger using campground FREE WiFi not much more is needed. And in those AT&T areas, a trip to McDonalds took care of any WiFi needs.

I haven't found any hotspot pay for what you use(like Karma/Straighttalk) without recurring monthly charges for AT&T yet. As I will be in those 2 AT&T areas next year for a couple weeks.

[Lurod678]

I had been full timing it for the last two years for work and just took a full time position near "home". I used my verizon wifi hotspot with unlimited data and it worked great everywhere I went. Now that I am back home I am looking to buy a house and really don't have a need for the hotspot. If anyone is interested in renting it (device and/or service) from me, PM me and we can work something out. I would hate to get rid of it, as it is super convenient and I know how valuable something like this can be.

[Jmcgsd]

Verizon has recently added a "data boost" option to their plans. For $2 for 1/2 hour or $3 for a full hour you have unlimited data that does not count against your monthly data usage. I haven't tried it yet, but seems to be a way to download a movie from iTunes without gobbling up my data.

[artywoof]

I just signed up for Direct TV Now, this is streaming TV. Based on ATT and Direct TV Now watching these will not take up my data on my account. I have yet to verify this. But it will be my set up if fully functional. I would use my iPhone/iPad whom both have access to ATT Data to Airplay the Direct TV Now to my Apple TV playing on the big TV. That's my plan for now, if not I may go the OTA DVR route too. I'll let you all know once I get some testing done.

[edatlanta]

Watching TV over internet service would be extremely expensive. You might want to think about a satellite dish for TV, and a Verizon mifi for web surfing.

X2. Works for me.

 

We all are looking/hoping for cheap/unlimited internet on the road, but it just doesn't exist.

[rbertalotto]

The technology for receiving TV content "on the go" is changing at lightspeed.

Three weeks ago I signed up for DirecTV NOW. I couldn't be more pleased! 100 channels of real time content for $35 a month. I'm watching Fox News right now at a restaurant using their WiFi and it is in perfect HD quality. I've used it on multiple devices from my I Phome to my I Pad using a verizon or a sprint hotspot. I've viewed TV using Panera Bread wifi, Dunkin Donuts WiFi, McDonalds WiFi and many others. Works great everywhere I've been from NH to MD.

 

If you have AT&T or T-Mobile it does not count against your data plan............

 

Also, If you like any of the premium services, like HuLu, Netflix, HBO NOW, etc.....these do not count against your T-Mobile data plan.

 

It is possible to have great TV in an RV with for a bit over $100 a month with AT&T/T-Mobile and DirecTV NOW....And full internet and cell phone call text....

 

Simply can't be beat!

 

(BTW..CES is this week (Consumer Electronics Show....I wouldn't do anything until we hear what announcements will come from the show. It is rumored that T-Mobile is going to blow the lid off connectivity with a big announcement)

[Bill Joyce]

rbertalotto: T-Mobile has changed their plans for new users to unlimited data with lots of caveats, so the plan you (and I) have is obsolete. I have had a T-Mobile smartphone since July on the West Coast and found places in WA, OR and CA with no service or very slow service. T-Mobile is not working well for me as a fulltimer RVer, so I am canceling it. T-Mobile was more reliable around Chimacum WA, where I was planted, so I added the phone to be available 24/7 due to a family need. I no longer need to be available 24/7.

[rbertalotto]

Hi Bill, it is understood that T-Mobile does not have as robust a network at Verizon or AT&T. But in most areas in the east where I reside it is quite good. Way better than Sprint around these parts.

 

But the best bet is still a grandfathered Verizon unlimited deal.

 

I wish AT&T didn't require the DirecTV subscription as that would be about perfect for Tv viewing.

 

Safe travels!

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

Just saying for info for any others that it might apply to: T-Mobile is whom Bell Canada are using for their Travel Add on packages (roaming) and we had zero service in the Sarasota area and very very poor service throughout most of the Tampa to Fort Myers corridor due to them using T-Mobile instead of Verizon. They acknowledged it being an issue when they saw how little we were able to connect, that on returning to Canada after many failed attempts dealing with Bell on the issue whilst down there, they ended up refunding us almost C$200 of additional expenses incurred over and above our regular plan for the 5 weeks I was in the USA November 6th thru 13th December.

 

Like I said, just sharing in case it helps others avoid the frustrations we've just endured.

[kmergen]

We utilize a Wifi Ranger 4G-X to boost the cell signal we receive which is connected to a Verizon mifi with unlimited data. We have a Wifi Ranger Core router to help push the signal through the rv and for when we like to sit outside and surf or watch tv.

We also signed up for Directv Now for $35 a month with over 100 channels. We can stream on our phones, tablets, and computers, or through several devices on to our actual television sets. One added benefit is that since our phones and tablets are AT&T it doesn't count against our data plan to stream the Directv Now.

We also have a couple of Rokus and a Roku TV....and between these and the apps on our tablets and laptops, we watch netflix and amazon prime video quite a bit.

So far we have been extremely pleased with everything.

[Daveh]

Labauer--If I were you I would contact Lurud678 above right away. Rare opportunity.