Yahoo Message Number: 99278 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99278)
There have been some comments regarding the purchase or transfer of a Verizon grandfathered unlimited data plan.
Sorry, the door is closed! Verizon does not allow re-assignment of any old grandfathered plans to a different account.
The only way that this may be circumvented is to use someone else's plan that they keep active and pay them for the billed amount (usually $60 per mo.). Cumbersome but, doable. You would first need to obtain an old 3G hot spot device. I believe the Verizon "Five Spot", though very old, was the latest stand alone device that still used Verizon 3G. Their old ad stated that It will support five computers. However, it has been my experience that the speed degrades as the number of computers actively online increases. I have one of those plans and I treat it as old gold! Contrary to some anecdotal comments that I have heard, the speed is not throttled down as usage increases unless you are repeatedly using tons & tons of data.
I purchased an emergency spare Five Spot on Ebay about a year ago for less than $20. But, I have not checked availability.
I purchased a Wilson "Sleek" amplifier but I have not tried it in remote, poor signal areas yet. I plan to use it in concert with my Wilson Truckers antenna to see if that helps.
It is a never ending battle to balance communication utility and convenience with cost.
Daron Hairabedian, 98 allure, 30226
Yahoo Message Number: 99318 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99318)
Another way to go with this beside MiFi, is to add Hotspot to your phone. This way one device is covering your phone and data feed. Two downsides to this are: 1) You need to buy replacement phones with Verizon subsidy. (I usually buy a one generation old phone, like Motorola's, from Craigslist. Have always got a 'new in box' phone, by someone that just got a free or low cost subsidized phone - but then decided to sell it for a profit.) (If doing this, please be very careful and insist that the transaction be accomplished at the local Verizon store. Have them validate the phone/esn is not locked up or an account that is in trouble.) 2) If you need to take your phone with you to say run an errand, the hotspot goes away with you. (That is where the MiFi stand alone is an advantage, other than needing two devices to be active.)
We have a roof top antenna of 9 dbi, and feed a Wilson Sleek. I usually just place the phone in the sleek, and keep it charged, and have great coverage via the Hotspot within, and outside of the coach. We do have a WiFiRanger, so if I ever need extra WiFi range we can have it connected to the Hotspot.
I'm really interested in seeing what and how the new FCC net rulings may shake things up. Who knows, the Grandfathered Unlimited data plans may become less of treasured item to hang onto:)! Time, courts, and probably congress will need to sort this all out...
Best to all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017