Wifi for the truck. Please help

Posted by Luisrf206@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 39 comments

Hey everyone, I Just started trucking like a month ago and I’m still looking around for WiFi options, I see a lot of people that uses the T-mobile home internet in their trucks but recommend to disconnect it when moving the truck but I can’t do that since in a couple month my wife will be getting her CDL too and we’ll be doing teams so I need a WiFi that I can leave connected even while moving, what do you think would be best the best option quality/price. I find the T-mobile away a little to expensive for me since it is like 160 a month 💀 please help me out 🤣💀

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39 Comments

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jimmythecornman@reddit

Tmobile business 5g internet. Ive had it running non stop in the truck since august 22nd and no issues whatsoever.

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cdubose@reddit

I don't know what you're data requirements are, but I just have my laptop tethering to the data on my phone and have a fairly cheap Mint mobile plan. I don't game though, so I only use a moderate amount of data per month.

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JollyBoard2299@reddit

Calyx Institute sells unlimited mobile hotspot for $500/year. They utilize the tmobile network, and the device is small enough to fit in your pocket. I personally haven’t trucked with it, but people who camp recommend the device, and it’s the only Wi-Fi we use at the house for whatever that’s worth.

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HumanVsWorld@reddit

That geo lock on the T-Mobile is a myth I’m paying 35 a month for bout 9 months now issues gaming or anything just like at home

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Waisted-Desert@reddit

There's reports in RVer forums that in some cases when the unit jumps between towers it flags T-Mobile and it ends up getting geo locked. Using it while stopped on a different tower every night is not an issue. It's only when it's moving.

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firstblush73@reddit

⬆️ Unless they changed something, I have had mine for a year, at $50 a month, OTR, without issue.

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FeelingTemporary6392@reddit

T-Mobile: if you get their modem, it's $120 a month for 200 GB, and you have wifi wherever you go. I have a PS5 and MacBook bro and I game or watch tv every night only use over 200 once in my six months of trucking

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The_Vass_76@reddit

I use T-Mobile. Not really had any issues. An occasional reset but otherwise I leave it on all the time. Just know, it only works domestically in the US.

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BackgroundDisaster43@reddit

Calyx works well

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Cool_Thanks_4934@reddit

I do T mobile cell phone hot spot and am very impressed. Streaming while at 70 mph 99% if the time anywhere. Every now and then signal loss but no more than A couple of miles.

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HustleTall@reddit

I have Verizon home internet. It’s $55/mo with a phone line but drops to $35/mo with autopay credits.

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Dungeon_Beard@reddit

I asked the guy at Verizon if this worked on the road in a truck, but he wasn't sure. What kind of speeds are you getting?

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HustleTall@reddit

300/mb up&down last time I did a speed test. They have offers where you get a free Xbox/switch/ray ban meta glasses for new customers. It changes so Idk what the offer is for this month. I got a free Xbox when I got mine 2 years ago. I’d say 98% of the time I get signal, once in a while it’ll drop internet service as you’re pinging from one tower to the next but it comes back on after few mins. Very very rarely will it have no internet service.

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Dungeon_Beard@reddit

Thanks! I’m just trying to figure out if that’ll be enough to play some NHL on Xbox with the boys. I might do their trial and see how that works out. If my connection is shit, I’ll just return it and cancel the service. No harm, no foul.

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ToineeM8@reddit

starlink is good but as people have said it has issues. all i use is the T Mobile home internet. its 50 bucks a month and if ur already a t mobile user its only 35. works everywhere i go flawlessly and while driving. its so good man i cannot recomend it enough. u dont have to pay for the hardware either, they give you the router for free and u just pay monthly.

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otr_fat_boy@reddit

Starlink 100% bit pricy at $165 per month.. but I've used almost 2 terabytes of data within the last 30 days no signs of it slowing down.. I've got signal everywhere so far.. I run my phone/laptop/xbox and smart TV all at the same time little to no buffering or lag.

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Silent_Insomnia_@reddit

Iphone with unlimited tether data plan is the way to go. I game EVERYWHERE except the Choctaw Casino in Grant, OK. That place has no 5g and like 1 bar of LTE phone service…lol On At&T 5G+ I regularly get speeds between 500mps and 1000mps at 95% of truck stops.

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Full-Respect-8261@reddit

TCL link zone from Verizon Gives me 5g and im on am unlimited plan, have been very happy with it so far

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blastedinsanity@reddit

Starlink if you can afford. it But ive had the most reliable service of T-mobile HOTspotting off my phone. I have unlimited tether/data. I drive regional and 90% of the places i visit have good 5g coverage. SO im ahrdly every in a pickle. Works just fine for my needs. Played a few matches of CSGO. watched plenty of movies

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StoneDruid@reddit

My tmobile has no geolock and I play Xbox online while my wife drives, ive never turned it off to move had it for almost 3 years, works good .

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lovs2build1@reddit

Starlink enough said.

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TruckinTuba@reddit

Can confirm

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StonedITM@reddit

I use my IPhone with Verizon hotspot and I be gaming on downtime it’s been great

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FattySports@reddit

I got TMobile wifi and phone plan and it’s like $130 a month

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RectumRavager69@reddit

Starlink. The highspeed roam is 50$ a month for 100gb of data and if you go over you pay a prorated amount of the unlimited cost which is regularly 165$ a month. I've yet to have it go over 100$ a month and it works anywhere you can see the sky even with the antenna on your top bunk aimed at the roof. Next best options would be towerhop or just getting an unlimited hotspot plan on your phone.

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danDotDev@reddit

would starlink work for a moving truck? I assume that would be an issue when teaming.

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RectumRavager69@reddit

Works up to 500mph

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Luisrf206@reddit (OP)

What do you usually use it for? Like a tv only or you got more stuff connected?

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RectumRavager69@reddit

I use it with my xbox series x and my phone. Works great even for gaming especially after the most recent network update. Depending on the area I get 150-400mbps down and 15-60mbps up with 22-54ms ping. If I really need all the speed I can get I put the antenna on the dash behind the glass and park facing north. Get the standard antenna instead of the mini.

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CaliThunder559@reddit

I use Nomad. Its a little more expensive but works well

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No-Conversation6267@reddit

Bro just leave the T-Mobile home one on and do a trial run with it. Me personally there has been times after doing a live unload where I’m driving an extra 2-4hrs and forgot my inverter on and I’ve maintained WiFi connection far as I can tell. Try it out, see how it works and go from there

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Environmental-Pear40@reddit

Well you're not going to like my option but it's the T-Mobile home internet mobile version it's not geolockef you can leave it running but it's also like $180 a month.

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Cucaracha899@reddit

T-Mobile business is $50 and it works great

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Environmental-Pear40@reddit

Idk about that one. Is it just a hotspot, cuz I've always had issues.

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Cucaracha899@reddit

I haven’t had issues with it. Had it for 3 years and I’ve used it to game online. Helps keep the data down on my phone while I’m driving. I’m using the standard HB5GGW_TWO-G4AR router they provided, which you can hook up an external antenna if you want.

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Environmental-Pear40@reddit

Hmm, That's what my issue usually was I don't play online games but when I had, I think it was an AT&t hotspot, it would always just randomly drop during downloads or when I updated my GPS. I mean, I'm happy with my T-Mobile but It sounds like a good alternative.

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Luisrf206@reddit (OP)

The T-mobile away plan is like 165 for me but I find it too much 🤣😭 I have the home plan at my house and it’s only 55 a month, is just too much of a difference for me. I’m going home on Wednesday and will install a tv when I come back and bring my ps5, I’ll try and see if my phone hotspot can hold 🤣😭

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Virtchoo@reddit

I’ve got Starlink. I put it on the top bunk when I’m parked and it works perfectly, but I’ve seen other drivers get a stainless steel shower shelf and mount it permently on the back of the cab. It’s not going to be any less than 160 a month tho.

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Outrageous_Law8210@reddit

Only reliable wifi I have found is starlink but I haven't found a solution for keeping it up while moving other than throwing it on the dash which makes it cut out a lot