Good 4G wireless internet

thatguyontheright

Honorable
Oct 14, 2013
35
0
10,530
After having issues with my ISP, namely weather damaged equipment which reduced internet speeds for the entire area that they don't intend to fix (low priority area, the area is very congested so it was slow already, now in a 24hr period, I don't see anything faster than .3Mb) They have been promising that they'll fix the congestion issue for 10-12 years...so yea I dropped them, but sadly they are the ONLY option for a regular ISP in my area unless you want to deal with a 10GB a month hard cap with Hughes-Net. We don't even have charter.

I noticed that my Tracfone was getting 4-5Mb/s, so I was wondering; are there any Data only plans that allow for "unlimited" data with a 4G modem rather than the 5GB some offer for use with tethering? I know boost and verizon has such a plan where they say they have unlimited data, but you can only use 5GB when tethered.

I need some suggestions that won't break the bank. I understand a true unlimited plan doesn't exist, so how does 3G fare with regular internet use?

tl/dr
Internet speed sucked
ISP won't fix
dropped ISP
Inquiring about using wireless 4G for home internet and data only plans.
 

Ralston18

Titan
Moderator
You may be able to gain some improvement but a specific answer will take some work to achieve.

Here is a link with some initial explanation regarding 3G and 4G:

http://www.canstarblue.com.au/phone-internet/the-difference-between-3g-and-4g/

Do not know where you live of course but the location does make a difference as you already know just with respect to a lack of ISP choices.

First sketch out a simple diagram of the connections you are considering: data source(s), wireless phone, tethering, network devices.

The following link may help you with the necessary planing:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-tether-your-cell-phone-as-a-modem-2377918

Once you have the diagram in place you can add in the upload and download speeds applicable to each part. Determine where the bottleneck(s) may occur.

And, as you are certainly aware, you will not receive the advertised performance speeds. Do some best case, expected case, and worst case scenerios. Look for ways to monitor your data consumption. That will help you forestall exceeding some data cap (e.g. 5GB when tethered).

That cap includes both data and the overhead to transmit the data. Meaning if you download a file that is exactly 5GB then you will go over the cap.

Crunch the numbers with respect to the data and speeds. Then look at the costs of the various provider plans and read the fine print in the contract agreements.

Generally amounts to being that the providers do not agree to anything and that you agree to pay for everything. [Very cynical here.]

However, working through it all will help you determine what performance to expect, at what costs, with what "risks" and then make a decision accordingly.