What is the best choice for cellular Internet connection with Verizon?

[GeneH]

I currently use Hughesnet for Internet connection. 10mb download; 10gb monthly data usage; additional 10gb 2-8am; $65 month. My contract is up Dec 2014. I have two VZ basic phones ($70 month) that I am planning to upgrade to two smart phones. I am considering changing Internet access to VZ and purchasing the 10gb data plan ($100). Two smart phones @ $40 each. Total month: $180. I tried a friend's 4G VZ Jetpack and it downloaded at 25mb. A lot faster than Hughesnet.  I have three devices: iMac, iPad; wireless printer. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the three choices I have from VZ for Internet access: 1. Using my smart phone as a Hot Spot, both at home on on the road. 2. Buying a Jetpack (or similar item) ($20 month increase) and using it both at home and on  the road. 3. Installing Home Fusion ($20 month increase)? Please reply to (removed). This is my first post, and I'll probably never find this post and your responses again!

>> Personal information removed to comply with the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service <<

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[vzw_customer_support]

Hi Gene H!

Thank you for your interest in Verizon service! Since you are interested in both home internet and Verizon Wireless service, you may want to consider the Verizon Communications triple play. Please visit www.verizon.com to find all of your options.

Thanks again!

ChristinaB_VZW
VZW Support
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

[GeneH]

Christina,

Thanks for the response. I have already been on the VZ site, and

extensively researched my options. My question (from the original message)

is which option is the best?

If I have two smart phones and a 10gb plan, do I need the extra $20 expense

of a Jet Pack hot spot or $20 Home Fusion for Internet connection on my

computer? I can easily make one of my smart phones a hot spot and use it

when I want Internet connection on the computer. Also, I can use one of the

smart phones on the road to connect my iPad to the internet. If I'm on the

road, I don't use my home computer. So do I need the Jet Pack or Home

Fusion?

In regards to connecting my computer to the Internet, my main concern is

this: Are there any differences between the three options I mentioned; VZ

Jet Pack, Home Fusion, smart phone hot spot. Is one faster than the other?

I believe all three are 4G LtE. Does one use more bandwidth than the other

to just establish the hot spot connection? Will using my smart phone as a

hot spot run the battery down significantly faster? Can I have the smart

phone charging while using it as a hot spot to prevent battery loss? If

there are differences, then I don't mind spending the extra $20 a month. If

there are no differences, then my best (cheapest) option to acquire

identical service seems to be two smart phones with a 10gb plan. No Jet

Pack, no Home Fusion. No extra $20 a month.

The only drawback I am aware of to only having two smart phones seems to be

that I can't use my smart phone for voice communications while it is being

used as a hot spot. However, I tested that with a family member's smart

phone. The phone will still ring for incoming calls. Once you answer it,

you lose the hot spot connection. After you hang up, you can reestablish

the hot spot. Not too much of an inconvenience for $240 yr.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks.

On Sun, Aug 10, 2014 at 6:09 PM, Verizon Wireless Customer Support <

[GeneH]

I might not have made a very important point clear. I live in the country;

no cable; no fiber; no DSL; no water; no nothing for services. That's why I

have Hughesnet for Internet access.

On Sun, Aug 10, 2014 at 6:09 PM, Verizon Wireless Customer Support <

[rcschnoor]

My suggestion would be to get a standalone Home Fusion(now called LTE Internet) line. DO NOT add it to a More Everything Plan. The data cost for the More Everything Plan is $100 for 10 GB. With a standalone Home Fusion plan, you get 10 GB for $60, 20 GB for $90 or 30 GB for $120. You also get 50% extra data on your 1st 2 billing cycles which you would not get on More Everything.

Then you could also add a separate More Everything plan for your phone and whatever else you would like.

[GeneH]

RC,

Thanks for the input. You are thinking along the same lines I was.

Currently I have two VZ basic phones, and Internet via Hughesnet (10mb

down, 10gb month). I am planning to upgrade to two LTE smart phones, and

change Internet to VZ.

With Home Fusion, 10gb is $60 + $20 for the device. Total $80. The two

smart phones are $80 and I need at least 1gb of shared data for $40. Total

cost $200.

With the Share Everything plan, 10gb is $100 and the two smart phones are

$80. Total cost $180.

My main concern is speed and quality of the Internet connection for my home

computer. Please address these questions:

1. Is Home Fusion faster or better for any reason than using a smart

phone/jet pack as a hot spot?

2. Is an LTE Jet Pack faster or better than Home Fusion or a smart phone

used as a hot spot? I tested a Jet Pack at my house and it was downloading

consistently at 20-25mb.

3.If is being used as a hot spot, does a smart phone consume more data than

Home Fusion?

4. How about data consumption for a Jet Pack?

I've been with VZ before they were VZ. They were AirTouch Cellular. They

should make me a real deal!

On Tue, Aug 12, 2014 at 7:21 AM, rcschnoor <forums@verizonwireless.com>

[vzw_customer_support]

GeneH we would love to address these concerns for you to help with making a decision on internet for your home. With our 4G LTE service the network operates the same whether it is a smartphone or if it is a Jetpack. The good thing about the LTE Internet (Home Fusion Broadband) is that the service is targeted towards customers who live in areas with limited broadband options. With the LTE Internet customers should expect average download speeds of 5-12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2-5 Mbps. What is your zip code? This way we can check to see what type of signal you should expect if you decided to select a Jetpack.

CandiceH_VZW
Follow us on Twitter at @VZWSupport

[GeneH]

Thanks, Candice. My zip code is 30824.

Sent from my iPad

[GeneH]

Candice,

I tested my neighbor's 4G MiFi Jet Pack and it downloaded at 20-25Mbps. Is

LTE Internet just as fast? It's only advertised at 5-12Mbps.

On Tue, Aug 12, 2014 at 7:10 PM, Verizon Wireless Customer Support <

[GeneH]

I sent you my zip. But I believe you need my complete address.  Part of my

zip has cable, fiber, etc. I do not.   Thomson, GA

30824.

Thanks.

Personal address removed to comply with Verizon Wireless Terms of Service.

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