mobile hotspot

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getakey

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Just got HTC Thunderbolt with 4G speed.
Ran speedtest (speedtest.net) at boat and get 10Mps download and 30Mps upload!
Very simple to set-up the hotspot feature and can connect Wi-Fi enabled TV.
Did not have time to test movie streaming over the weekend, but will try when I am there next.
 
Just make sure there's not a data limit on your contract... streaming video could get expensive!!!
 
I have unlimited data plan which covers the mobile hotspot for now. They say they will be implementing a new pricing plan specific to the hotspot feature at $20/mo for 5GB/mo.
 
That could be really nice on the boat... I have an aircard for wireless internet on the boat but it doesn't support voice.
 
Just upgraded the iPhone 4 to the latest OS. Now includes WiFi hotspot. Tried it out last week on the boat. Two laptops and an iPad = no problem (we usually don't carry all that junk on the boat!). Streamed Netflix while on the hook = no problem. Fortunately we boat in an area that is well covered by the AT&T network.

FYI - prior to this update, I had to jail break the phone and install a wifi app to achieve the same results. Using this method, we were able to Skype with family as we drove from Florida to Michigan for the holidays. While this was cool, we could have achieved the same result by dialing the phone. I have the larger data plan and have only come close to my limit once.
 
Hey Willie, I don't know diddly about electronics stuff...but I got google voice(free calls stateside) which replaced my land line and also rings any phone (cell phone) I input into it at the same time. Would that work for you?

Being the 'economical' sort, I also use Boost Mobile 'pay as you go' which only requires $10/90 days. If I get a call on the cell, I call back free via computer. It's not for everybody but every little bit helps toward the fuel bill.[:I]
 
I'm in SF Bay Area. Got a good 4G signal at home and at the marina. Fairly good 4G signal at the office.
So, I'm covered.
But another beware is that battery life is terrible if the phone has to constantly switch back and forth between 3G and 4G. If its constant 4G, no problem.
 
The big question is what will the 4G data plans eventually look like. $29.99 for AYCE right now is a teaser. Those with official tethering plans on 3G are limited to 2 gigs per month. Sadly, it's like a shared marina Wi-Fi hotspot that's meant for light web browsing and e-mail but gets abused with video streaming. I'll bet a dollar the 4G tethering plan will be limited to around 2 gigs just to avoid this bottleneck.

Awesome on the download speed. From what I've read that upload speed is a glitch and isn't faster than the down.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

The big question is what will the 4G data plans eventually look like. $29.99 for AYCE right now is a teaser. Those with official tethering plans on 3G are limited to 2 gigs per month. Sadly, it's like a shared marina Wi-Fi hotspot that's meant for light web browsing and e-mail but gets abused with video streaming. I'll bet a dollar the 4G tethering plan will be limited to around 2 gigs just to avoid this bottleneck.

Awesome on the download speed. From what I've read that upload speed is a glitch and isn't faster than the down.

Click to expand...


I thought the VZW plan for $20 is 5 gigs. I'll recheck.
Is the upload glitch in the speedtest app?
 
Hi Charlie...
Thanks for the heads-up on Google voice, but I'll probably pass on it. As far as I know all the computer-based "phone" plans require the computer to be up and running, and if it croaks or catches a cold there goes your phone. So for the moment I'll keep my landline. For a cellphone I use a Tracfone, it costs me next to nothing, and I may dump the landline and go with the cellphone only.

I bought the aircard so I could use my computer on the boat as well as at home and while it's slower than Fios it's still fast enough for everything except maybe video. But it works great out in the middle of Tampa Bay or anchored in some hideaway.
 
oops - it is 2Gigs
they (VZW) have a calculator on their site to estimate monthly usage based on what you are planning to do
 
Ouch! That would put a big dent in your video!!! My current plan with the 3G aircard is $60/mo, for 5 gigs. My only complaint with it is it can only handle one device at a time.
 
So, I'm trying to figure out how they are going to track hotspot use versus normal data use. I have unlimited data now and I am using hotspot with no additional charge. They say this will be for a limited time. I guess they are working on a way to track data pulled through the hotspot app? The 4G radio doesn't know if I am opening a browser on the phone or opening a browser on PC connected via the hotspot.
 
Yes, the upload speed is a glitch in the speedtest app. Some apps have it, some don't. Are you using the SpeedTest.Net app?

If you use the carrier's built-in tethering app, it's metered. That's the "how" and "why" of the 2 gig limit. It's the same way with the 3G plans. The idea being that nobody using a smartphone un-tethered could use more than 5 or so gigs. Thus they leave the smartphone portion "unlimited" but you'll get some "attention" should you go over 5gigs regularly.
 
quote:
Originally posted by stmbtwle

Ouch! That would put a big dent in your video!!! My current plan with the 3G aircard is $60/mo, for 5 gigs. My only complaint with it is it can only handle one device at a time.

Click to expand...


I don't use Google Voice, but it's on my smartphone and works fine when tested.

If you're running Windows 7, you can use the free app "Connectify" to share that aircard with other WiFi devices.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

Yes, the upload speed is a glitch in the speedtest app. Some apps have it, some don't. Are you using the SpeedTest.Net app?

If you use the carrier's built-in tethering app, it's metered. That's the "how" and "why" of the 2 gig limit. It's the same way with the 3G plans. The idea being that nobody using a smartphone un-tethered could use more than 5 or so gigs. Thus they leave the smartphone portion "unlimited" but you'll get some "attention" should you go over 5gigs regularly.

Click to expand...


For now, I am able to use the built-in mobile hotspot app without the extra charge or the limit. I'm going to do some test and see hot it shows up on my data usage. Interestingly, they have 2 categories in the data usage: "Domestic Data" and "Mobile Broadband". Right now it shows zero in Mobile Broadband, but I have done some tests through the hotspot. Maybe they cannot differentiate/measure it yet and that's why I can use without the extra charge.
 
"If you're running Windows 7, you can use the free app "Connectify" to share that aircard with other WiFi devices."

Thanks I'll try that.
 
i use 3G thru ATT and it's fast enough to stream Netflix movies IF you have an unlimited data plan. With the typical 5GB plan, streaming 2 to 3 movies will put over the top...

4G woudl be nice to share the connection otherwise 3G is just fine...
 
quote:
Originally posted by stmbtwle

Ouch! That would put a big dent in your video!!! My current plan with the 3G aircard is $60/mo, for 5 gigs. My only complaint with it is it can only handle one device at a time.

Click to expand...


D'oh! Whether or not you're running Win 7, you can use your 3G card as your ISP and then create an Adhoc Wi-Fi network with either your built-in WiFi card or another USB dongle. Many devices work just fine on an Adhoc network (iPod, iPad, etc.). The only one I've found that doesn't is a Wii for some reason.
 
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