Choosing a cellular data plan can be overwhelming for anyone.
But when you’re a full-time or seasonal RVer, the decision comes with some additional considerations you may not have thought about before.
In a sticks-n-bricks home or office, you probably relied on a cable or DSL for your internet source. And it was likely really truly unlimited, and fast. But those options aren’t readily available when RVing.
There may be times when you’re able to use the Wi-Fi network at a campground or coffee shop. But for the most part, cellular service from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and/or Sprint will likely now be your main source of getting online.
Which means you need to find plans that include copious amounts of data to get your devices online for everything you might want to do – more than just checking your e-mail, or playing a bit of Pokemon.
The cellular carriers, for the most part, just don’t currently design their plans to be suitable as a primary home or office connection. They all assume that you have a cable or DSL ‘at home’ and your cellular data plan is just a supplement.
You might watch a YouTube video on your smartphone on the commute home by public transit, but you’re presumed to watch your primary shows over cable, satellite or a wired internet connection.
On the road however, our cellular data plans are often all we have. They become what we use to stay in touch with friends & family, post to social media, read blog articles, stream TV shows & movies, play online games, update our computers, back-up to the cloud – and oh yeah, work remotely.
15-30GB of hotspot data a month just isn’t going to cut it. Many of us desire 100s of GBs of data a month.
It’s important to understand some of the lingo that the cellular carriers use to describe their plans and what their limitations are to determine if a plan is suitable or not for your mobile lifestyle needs.
Here’s an overview of some of the terms you’ll want to learn and pay attention to when shopping for a plan:
Thank you!!!!
Unlimited Internet Provider
Pay directly to AT&T $34.99/month. No data cap no throttling guaranteed. I use it. It works!!!!
That plan is the prepaid DataConnect Tablet plan that AT&T retired last month. They are actively terminating lines that are being used in non-tablets. Enjoy it while it lasts, but have a back up option in mind.