Clear for Internet access, routers, etc...

PascalG

PascalG

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It s time to upgrade my older AT&T data card a globetrotter express which has never been very reliable

Turns out to keep my old unlimited plan, I can't use one if the newer access point (Elevate 4G) and have to a store to see what device they have.

I d prefer not to use a USB modem since my laptop only has 3 ports. On the other hand, it looks like Express ports are going away and if I replace my laptop in the future a new Express modem will be useless.

A neighbor of mine is using Clear and seems happy with it. It s cheaper than AT&T, unlimited (minimal restrictions) and no contract. Hardware is cheap incl a spot device that allows a number of users. On the downside, coverage seems limited compared to ATT so it may be an issue while traveling but I could use my iPhone as a tethered modem when cruising outside Clear coverage

Questions...

- Anyone using Clear? How good is it?
- Can an Apple TV box work with Clear? Looks like the Clear spots work like regular routers.
- if i stick with AT&T and use a USB modem, which router would be best? A KR2 would work but being fairly dated by now I wonder if another one would be better
 
Pascal, there are numerous USB splitters out there, you are not limited to three.
 
I'm sure our resident expert will be along soon enough, but I can tell you that clear is really a solution best suited for fixed locations. The clear WiMAX spectrum does not propagate as we'll resulting to be fairly location specific. Those with good connections have great service. Those that don't, don't. I tested it here in Seattle on a rainy day shortly after their 4g launch and could not get a fast connection at multiple points up and down the i5 corridor.
 
Beware - lots of users complaints. Look around the web and you will see..
 
Clear 2012 88 networks or cities on air.
New builds slated for 2013 NONE.
Clear by 2014 to be converted from WiMAX to LTE TDD.
It's a network in termoil.
The majority ownership is Sprint other partners recently sold the stock at huge loses.
Where it works it works very well but 88 markets is hardly a network, that's not growing.
Bill
 
for the east coast Sprint may be yor best bet. They have good coverage and unlimmited data plans. where they have gaps you can roam on Verizon at no extra cost if you have the roaming feature. This feature is not publicised by either company but has been in place for a few years now.
Sprint also has a number of discount schemes that can provide up to 25% off standard rates.
I ran a major mobile account for a big government agency and found that Sprint offered the best coverage/cost option.
 
Thks guys...I m not sold on Clear yet but no contract makes it easy to ditch if don't like it

Bill, if I go with an ATT USB stick, which modem would you re recommend?
 
Pascal, let me know what you decide on this. If you stick with AT&T, the biggest distributor of aircards and "MyFi" type routers is in Oakland Park and a buddy of mine. They can hook you up with the best 3G choice and likely will have a cherry refurbished one. I am currently using a refurb 3G Sierra USB 305 swivel unit which is pretty slick. They sell every technology but if you switch carriers you might as well get what they provide with your contract. Sprint is a pretty decent choice given they are sticking with "unlimited" as a differentiation.. for now. For something you may be using up and down the eastern seaboard, forget Clear, only in the major metros.
 
Coverage and quality of service (data speeds) are 2 different animals. Be careful Both should be considered.
I'd go with George's buddy for a recommendation on the USB type device. The 3G store has some good options and describes units that they sell as refurbs.
Bill
 
I think I read too fast and missed a very key assumption..."Turns out to keep my old unlimited plan, "

So let me now try to gracefully attack the assumption that you should want to keep your unlimited plan. I come from having recently made the decision to not only dump my old AT&T unlimited plan, but dump the carrier too in favor of Verizon which has better water coverage in my area (and often 4G when I'm working remote). I've had an AT&T phone and a Verizon 4G Mifi for the past year+ so was well aware of apples to apples coverage comparisons (you will have to figure out your area, not mine!)

Anyhoo, after doing a lot of reading it came down to the fact that keeping an unlimited plan is largely worthless. An unlimited plan is only worthwhile if you actually use the bandwidth, but its clear that if you get anywhere near using a good chunk of data, AT&T might let you actually download the data but will severely throttle your speeds. A situation where if you need the volume of data, you likely can't afford to have the speed throttled (which ultimately will cause you to not use the data volume in the first place).

Personally when I get on, I need to be able to operate at efficiency and I already choose anchorages depending upon the likelihood of being able to actually use data. There were enough AT&T folks with throttling stories out on the internet, some apparently not even using all that much data (1gig if we can believe?) that made it a pretty easy choice to just buck up and get onto 4G and in a way that actually mattered. I actually save a little bit of money anyway as it allowed me to get rid of a data plan and consolidate to one carrier.

In my conclusion the old AT&T unlimited plan is nothing but a mirage. YMMV.
 
Well it s better that the current plans limited to 5GB and $10 per GB... I average 20GB a month on my laptop, do they throttle me down? Maybe...

I m tempted to try Clear... Nothing to loose since they have no contract and the hardware is $50...

George, what s the name of the place in Oakland park?

Bill, what are the limitation of a Mifi Like the Novatel 2372 vs a USB aircard plugged in a router? I will never need to hook up a desktop PC via cable
 
1) I have use as much as 12 gig and never been throttled on AT&T. I checked with some folks at my old company which used AT&T's network and resold to several hundred very heavy data users (20 gig+) and they have never been able to validate any throttling and they have the equipment to do so. (They had 100,000 subscribers total when I left). That's not to say it never happened to guys habitually in the 100 gig club, but I have no direct verification of that. Verizon yes, they do throttle.

Pascal they are a wholesale distributor not a retail store. I will have to set it up. Figure out roughly what you want and I'll get it.
 
Why should it be in NBR? 100% of my web use is on board boats and the info could help others...

Thanks for the offer George.
 
So using that rationale the guy that wanted the bone marrow transplant info might have typed it from his boat, so it would be okay? The topic has nothing to do with boating. Stop trying to do an Obama spin. <--- I thought that line up while polishing my eisenglass with 202. Does that make it appropriate for Ask the Captain instead of NBR? See what I mean?
 
I downloaded all new ENC and raster charts for the nav program on my computer yesterday. And software updates for my Furuno system. I use Wunderground for marine forecasts and weather radar. There are several on line cruising guides and forums such as Active captain, Cruser'sNet, and... BoaterEd! When cruising up and down the eastern seabaord, our aircard is a very important piece of very boating-related gear.
 
I have to agree with pascal & George on this one.

For some, Internet access is very much part of their boating life and support systems.  where as bone marrow transplant has never been part of my boating life or anyone I know?

Some may say internet is not needed for them
maybe the same people that will say chart plotters are a waste of time and no real boater needs one?  And yet many if not most boats have some sort of electronic nav equipment today 

Regarding Your point about he may have been posting from his boat, does that make anything someone thinks of while on their boat boating related?

On top of this and I think Doc G said something along these lines, why ask a question on what one would think is a very important medical issue on a boating site? There are 100's of sites, blogs etc for just about any Med issue. 
 
I couldn't use my boat without internet via cellular and or WiFi either.
Bill
 
Just curious, how do you use 20GB of data in a month? I guess I could get there with Netflix but I have 3GB IPAD plan and never even get close.
 
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