Data plans for Tablets

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BrentMc

BrentMc

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Jun 15, 2015
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Hello, I like TV, but often I want to watch something and I don't want to sit down.
I am thinking of watching shows at the gym. The local gyms do not have wi-fi. One says they will add it, but I bet it will be to slow for me to watch video. I am looking for a cheap unlimited data plan. I have a google asus nexus 7 2013 32gb with 4g LTE capability.
I saw Metro PCS had unlimited data for tablets starting at $15 /Month. The $15 plan gives you the first 2Gb at 4g LTE, then you go slower. I don't need my tablet to be set to 1080P. This tablet looks plenty clear at lower resolution.
What do you think of that data plan? When it slows down to 3g will I be able to watch video?
 
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G
Are you tied into that data plan long-term? I really think these days that it's the data you're paying for, because this is where all the bandwidth is going to. If there's no commitment, then I'd say try it. You'll get a better sense of how much data you actually need, and you'll find out if 3G is good enough. I think, given that video is compressed a lot, it might be just fine.

I'm looking here:
http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2013/01/prepaid-tablet-data-plans-compared.html

It's a couple months old. MetroPCS' web site doesn't show the 2 restrictions; it does show this:

*4G device required. Non-4G devices require specific rate plans. Not all services available on all devices. Taxes are included. 4G monthly data allotment at up...
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gangrel

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Are you tied into that data plan long-term? I really think these days that it's the data you're paying for, because this is where all the bandwidth is going to. If there's no commitment, then I'd say try it. You'll get a better sense of how much data you actually need, and you'll find out if 3G is good enough. I think, given that video is compressed a lot, it might be just fine.

I'm looking here:
http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2013/01/prepaid-tablet-data-plans-compared.html

It's a couple months old. MetroPCS' web site doesn't show the 2 restrictions; it does show this:

*4G device required. Non-4G devices require specific rate plans. Not all services available on all devices. Taxes are included. 4G monthly data allotment at up to MetroPCS 4G speeds; data usage after monthly data allotment delivered at average MetroPCS network speeds.

So I'm not sure that is 3G. But the web site shown says, the rate's seriously lower than anyone else's. The devil may be in the details.
 
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gangrel

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BTW: looking at MetroPCS' web site, they have a data use calculator. I put in 45 minutes a day; it estimated about 5.5 Gb per month. 45 minutes a day might be excessive, given that you're probably not going to the gym every day. But I doubt that's an extremely unusual use level, either. That makes me think, they're not going to charge you for 10 days then give you 20 free...so the speed will be reduced to the point where you can't stream.

Here's a thought...instead of streaming, maybe download a couple hours' worth of videos at a time, at home?
 
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BrentMc

BrentMc

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Jun 15, 2015
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Thank you for your reply. I found a netflix data used table:

Low (0.3 GB per hour)
Medium (SD: 0.7 GB per hour)
High (Best video quality, up to 3 GB per hour for HD and 7 GB per hour for Ultra HD)

I can probably keep it at medium, but at nearly a gig an hour that will add up fast. I think that is why there don't seem to be many unlimited plans and none that I see that stay 4g LTE the whole time.

There are a lot of ways to stream movies and TV, but fewer that allow you to download to your device for offline viewing. I want to keep it legal too. I know Comcast/Xfinity has an app that allows you to download a few shows for offline viewing, but almost all the shows are for streaming over an active connection only. I might download a few shows and see how I like watching TV on my tablet at the Gym. I don't know how many machines have a place to set one.
 
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