2nd ISP addition? Need non-throttled/unlimited LTE.
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 1:00 pm
Hi!
I am looking to possibly add a 2nd ISP to my set up to try and have some unlimited/not throttled LTE after 15gb.
For the past 3+ years I’ve been using a $20/month jetpack add on to my Verizon plan. Gives me 15GB of 4G LTE, then throttled to 600kbps (or less). I go through this in the first couple of days of each billing cycle. It still *works* for the rest of the month, I manage. I just end up watching very pixelated Netflix & Hulu. For the first 2+ years, I was using an old school Jetpack Ellipsis MHS800L. It worked well for the most part, and actually never ended up throttled after 15GB. I was often able to still pull 5-6mbps even after I used up my 15GB. For a good year or so I was also able to game online on PS4 just fine, but the 2nd year it started having issues with gaming.
In March, at the peak of covid stay home orders, my Verizon service entirely gave out in my spot. It’s always been an iffy spot, but usable, but in March it just quit. I had virtually no usable service for 4+ weeks. I soon realized it was Band 13 that was congested and unusable, even though it showed connected to 4G with 3+ bars. Band 2 and 66 worked fine, but they weren’t the stronger choices, I assume, so my phone kept connecting to B13 - useless, and the Jetpack could only get B13. I ended up buying a Netgear 4G LTE modem, purely because it DIDN’T have Band 13 - and it’s been GREAT. No connection issues whatsoever, BUT it actually does get throttled after I hit my 15GB. I often have to connect my phone to my hotspot because the phone still tries to hold on to B13 that doesn’t function. Which then throws it’s own issues when it connects back to Band 2 while on wifi, then it both doesn’t work properly and causes issues with whatever other devices are also on the wifi.. not sure why.
SO - I’m looking for ways to supplement the current set up. Mostly, I want something that is not going to be throttled down under 600kbps, and something that will allow me to play my PS4 online again, and HOPEFULLY be able to update my games. I can’t do any game updates on my PS4 currently because it’s just impossible… takes many many days and I can’t do much else while doing that.
I know I have the potential for 40-50+mbps speeds at times. I’ve seen it on my PS4 occasionally at the start of some of my billing cycles. I don’t have any antennas or anything (yet), mostly because I hit the 15GB too quickly as is, but I am for sure open to getting some if I can find an unlimited option to then add speed.
Verizon is my only real option. T-Mobile does seem to work in most of the property, but a little slower in speeds than Verizon. I’m open to trying it, too.
I don’t quite understand how Visible works for unlimited - I keep seeing people putting the sim into a hotspot/modem and changing something to make it think it’s still in a phone - is this possible with my Netgear 4G LTE modem? I see their website says “Plus, for a limited time, we’ve removed our speed cap - free for as long as you remain a member.” What are their speeds usually? I see their actual hotspot cap limit is at 5mbps.
Also heard PagePlus is Verizon, but haven’t looked into that.
TL;DR - Verizon (or maybe T-Mobile) options to help me with non-throttled LTE suitable enough for PS4 game updates/online gaming. Happy to keep my current 15GB/then slow with Verizon as well for browsing/maybe TV if necessary etc. No, we’re not eligible for any of the LTE internet options provided by T-Mobile or AT&T, or any fixed internet services (spectrum quoted me $130,000 to install..)
I am looking to possibly add a 2nd ISP to my set up to try and have some unlimited/not throttled LTE after 15gb.
For the past 3+ years I’ve been using a $20/month jetpack add on to my Verizon plan. Gives me 15GB of 4G LTE, then throttled to 600kbps (or less). I go through this in the first couple of days of each billing cycle. It still *works* for the rest of the month, I manage. I just end up watching very pixelated Netflix & Hulu. For the first 2+ years, I was using an old school Jetpack Ellipsis MHS800L. It worked well for the most part, and actually never ended up throttled after 15GB. I was often able to still pull 5-6mbps even after I used up my 15GB. For a good year or so I was also able to game online on PS4 just fine, but the 2nd year it started having issues with gaming.
In March, at the peak of covid stay home orders, my Verizon service entirely gave out in my spot. It’s always been an iffy spot, but usable, but in March it just quit. I had virtually no usable service for 4+ weeks. I soon realized it was Band 13 that was congested and unusable, even though it showed connected to 4G with 3+ bars. Band 2 and 66 worked fine, but they weren’t the stronger choices, I assume, so my phone kept connecting to B13 - useless, and the Jetpack could only get B13. I ended up buying a Netgear 4G LTE modem, purely because it DIDN’T have Band 13 - and it’s been GREAT. No connection issues whatsoever, BUT it actually does get throttled after I hit my 15GB. I often have to connect my phone to my hotspot because the phone still tries to hold on to B13 that doesn’t function. Which then throws it’s own issues when it connects back to Band 2 while on wifi, then it both doesn’t work properly and causes issues with whatever other devices are also on the wifi.. not sure why.
SO - I’m looking for ways to supplement the current set up. Mostly, I want something that is not going to be throttled down under 600kbps, and something that will allow me to play my PS4 online again, and HOPEFULLY be able to update my games. I can’t do any game updates on my PS4 currently because it’s just impossible… takes many many days and I can’t do much else while doing that.
I know I have the potential for 40-50+mbps speeds at times. I’ve seen it on my PS4 occasionally at the start of some of my billing cycles. I don’t have any antennas or anything (yet), mostly because I hit the 15GB too quickly as is, but I am for sure open to getting some if I can find an unlimited option to then add speed.
Verizon is my only real option. T-Mobile does seem to work in most of the property, but a little slower in speeds than Verizon. I’m open to trying it, too.
I don’t quite understand how Visible works for unlimited - I keep seeing people putting the sim into a hotspot/modem and changing something to make it think it’s still in a phone - is this possible with my Netgear 4G LTE modem? I see their website says “Plus, for a limited time, we’ve removed our speed cap - free for as long as you remain a member.” What are their speeds usually? I see their actual hotspot cap limit is at 5mbps.
Also heard PagePlus is Verizon, but haven’t looked into that.
TL;DR - Verizon (or maybe T-Mobile) options to help me with non-throttled LTE suitable enough for PS4 game updates/online gaming. Happy to keep my current 15GB/then slow with Verizon as well for browsing/maybe TV if necessary etc. No, we’re not eligible for any of the LTE internet options provided by T-Mobile or AT&T, or any fixed internet services (spectrum quoted me $130,000 to install..)