Thinking of getting internet for the truck
Posted by jyster1996@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 38 comments
So I was thinking the other day after my phones hotspot ran out and I was unable to use my laptop. I need to get WiFi or something. I have T-mobile as a phone service provider, and I know they have that wireless internet box thingy. Any other suggestions I could use to have WiFi in the truck without breaking the bank? I do have a permanent address I can use, so no issues there if it requires it
NoRelation1491@reddit
I'm not OTR or regiontial but I can tell you RIGHT now, internet would be my number 1 priority, even over roller dogs, fountain sodas, fireball or lot lizards.
TruckerDono@reddit
If you have cell service you have Internet
Various-Blood-3902@reddit
Names?
TruckerDono@reddit
Look up hotspot on your local app store and read comments.
Various-Blood-3902@reddit
Thats a strange name /s
TruckerDono@reddit
It's French
Beautiful-Slice166@reddit
I use otr mobile and have no issues, ive found maybe 2 spots in 2 years it doesnt get signal while parked
cowboygeo89@reddit
I use a app called pdanet It only works on android phones. You can use it to have unlimited hotspot. But the other device has to have the app As well. You can use it to connect to your android tablet other phones Windows Mac or Linux computers or a android tv box ( that one is a little difficult.) But it works well and I have used it for 4 years without issue.
MajorHymen@reddit
I have starlink with their unlimited roaming data I can typically get 170-200mb download speeds with the mini. You will need to buy a telescoping pole to mount it on if you want highest speeds. Throwing it on your dash or the hood will get you some internet but it’ll block to many of the satellites. Fairings block most places to put the pole so I bought heavy duty suction cups and mount it to the front of the trailer.
OkeleZ@reddit
My phone has USB tethering which allows me to use my phone as a hot spot without actually using the hot spot service from my carrier(Verizon). I tested it with my Ally and I was pulling 350+ download, 20 upload with low latency on Speedtest.com If you have an unlimited plan you dont need a hot spot.
fredbear1964@reddit
I have just tethered to my phone on my Verizon phone.it is unlimited data, I use it to watch YouTube movies and everything. I do hit certain spots where it is slow. But I only pay 55 a month for phone and internet ! My 2 cents !
scottiethegoonie@reddit
TMHI.
I mapped out my speeds when I was OTR.
homeweakly.com
planetbuster@reddit
is that your site or something? since it leads to what looks like one specific google maps body of data..
scottiethegoonie@reddit
Yea I plotted all of my speed test speeds and mapped them.
Brightone13@reddit
I got tmobil wifi for 50 a month and they just put my home address when i started it and it works in every state East of Colorado is where i go and never had an issue.
HatedReaper@reddit
I just use Verizons 100 gig Hotspot
eatin-pretzels@reddit
us mobile, data plan. and they're releasing some type of starlink service or option in the future if not already. pay up front for a year.
planetbuster@reddit
the question is how many of these people are gamers? anything works for just hanging out in your truck fucking off watching netflix or whatever.
im thinking just biting the bullet for starlink at its max performance is the way to go. putting it on the dash is silly though.
HolyOrangeJuice@reddit
Use your phone Hotspot as wifi. Unless you have a specific need. I have a starlink mini. I use my Rog Xbox Ally X handheld when I have some down time. 100gb/mo roam (being on the road) plan is $50. $1/gig for any extra used. Excellent download and upload speeds and low latency. Takes 5 mins for me to toss it up on the end of a load lock when parked for a longer break. In a pinch toss near windshield on the dash. Signal will be less than ideal. For when my phone service is crap but not trying to do anything reliable or fancy.
External_Result_8560@reddit
I tried the 100 gb plan and used it all up in 4-5 days. I never saw an option for $1/gig anywhere so I’m on the unlimited trial right now and $160 next month. I have mine always on my dash under the windshield. Even bought Velcro to keep it there
Level-Leg-1579@reddit
How's the reception with it on the dash?
External_Result_8560@reddit
I’ve had it for like 3 weeks now and only twiceI didn’t get connection. The first time I found some setting that said I was on the move and it worked. The 2nd time I gave up because I couldn’t find the same option and just used my cell signal.
HolyOrangeJuice@reddit
I don't download large items. Any major update I do on a terminal wifi if I can help it. Never busted my 50gb and now I don't my 100gb after they made the plan better. I had to manually opt into the $1/gb thing on my account settings.
External_Result_8560@reddit
I see..I’ll look for the setting later then. Hopefully I find it. Yea I used to stream 720p and some 1080p between 700mb - 2.5 gb per movie, now I stream 4k Blu-ray 20 gb per movie lol. The unlimited got me spoiled
T3hIce@reddit
It automatically charges $1 once you go past 100gb and when the total $165 it just goes to unlimited because that’s the price.
External_Result_8560@reddit
Yea I’ve read that before but once my 100 is up it goes into very low unlimited data speed. It sucks ass. They may not offer what you’re talking about anymore as I only see my scenario on the site
T3hIce@reddit
Did not notice they changed it. I used to have it last year on that plan then after three months of just rolling over to unlimited I switched to unlimited. I wonder if they changed the pro rate that they did if you changed in the middle of the month
ConfectionOk201@reddit
Maybe read the description and not just the title. Op said their phone hotspot ran out and they were wanting something else.
diggsalot@reddit
Half the people are going to say T-Mobile home Internet and the other half is going to say starlink but if you want unlimited Internet I found it cheaper to get both. I pay about $70 a month for both T-Mobile service and Starlink.
Serious_Mongoose61@reddit
Really? How does that work?
diggsalot@reddit
You need a multi wan cellular router I went with the Gl.inet Spitz AX $380 and with Ethernet connect a starlink mini $200. With starlink I'm using the $50 100 gig plan and for T-Mobile I'm using a service called Calyx. On the router I set up Unlimited T-Mobile service as primary and Starlink as a secondary that switches automatically.
Serious_Mongoose61@reddit
Dang nice that’s a good setup didn’t know you can do that. I assume you’re getting high speeds and don’t have to worry about being in dead zones
diggsalot@reddit
Pretty much it works out nice because I'm a gamer and I don't have to worry about large downloads and if latency is too high on cellular I manually switch to starlink for a session.
Serious_Mongoose61@reddit
Gotcha Im a gamer as well but the thing is I’m in training and get in a company truck next weeks so just weighing the options. I’ve heard tmobiles home internet will be good enough, I’ll most likely start there and if that’s not enough I’ll do what you said.
Gotta have the gaming setup for sanity lol
Tmama187@reddit
Just get the T-Mobile home Internet. It works wonderfully
Emergency_Ad1152@reddit
Verizon has home internet for $35/month if you have a phone plan with them. $45/month alone. 300mbps
Tuxquadoguy@reddit
I’ve wanted the T-Mobile internet for a long while, but wasn’t able to get it because my home address wasn’t within a covered area🤷♂️ I checked again a couple weeks ago and by a miracle my address finally worked. Can say that the home internet plan does work on the road and is one of the best things I’ve added to my truck! Everyone says “just use your hotspot” but I guess those people aren’t true web heads! Month to month I’ve been utilizing about 600GB-700GB of data. Which even though my plan is unlimited data&hotspot, there’s still limits. If I go over the 700GB my carrier locks me to 1Mbps until I contact support and apologize for abusing the Unlimited Hotspot😂. I looked at so many options for truck WiFi, and at plenty that most have never heard of. I can say the $50 T-Mobile internet plan was the right choice.
Wasabi-Kungpow@reddit
$45 for tmobile home internet. Unlimited and 3 years in never had issues except a few dead zones