Internet while traveling

Several people have ask us about our Internet service while traveling.  I have wanted to write a post answering this question and several others that people have asked us. Because someone asked this question again today, I am going to go ahead and post my answer.  (Phyllis - I hope this helps as you are preparing for your full time RV journey.)

Before leaving on our Discovering US journey, I research 'Internet while traveling'. I found out that Verizon has the best overall cell service coverage and people who used Verizon for cell service used them for Internet.  I also learned that Verizon was the least expensive because the start up fees were minimal.  I read several reviews about people who traveled full time and used Verizon. Most of them were pleased with the service and coverage. Another service that was mentioned was Hughesnet.

When I looked at Hughesnet, I had to purchase the satellite and then have a monthly fee.  If I remember correctly the start up cost was over $1000.00. We have met some people who have used Hughesnet and are pleased with their service. It is more reliable coverage because if you can get a satellite signal then you have Internet. However, we have Direct TV for satellite service and didn't want to change satellite providers.  I looked into Direct TV Internet service but didn't like their service. (I can't remember why - but it wouldn't fit our need.)  After all my research, we found Verizon to be the best option for us.

Since we have Verizon cell service, all we had to do was purchase the Verizon Broadband USB Port and pay the monthly service charge.  When we purchased ours, the cost was $59.99 with a $50.00 rebate for the USB Port and $59.99 monthly for a 2 year contract. I took our computer into a Verizon Store and the gentleman installed it for me.  It took him all of 5 minutes. ( We purchased the Broadband USB that could interchange between computers without a CD.)

The $59.99 monthly charge is for 5 Gigabytes of usage. I was concerned that 5G would not be enough of usage for us since Sierra and I both use the Internet.  However, I have only came close to going over one time. This was because I prepared our taxes online.  Other than this, we have not come close to running out of Gigabytes.

One thing that helps us is when we are in a park with free WIFI, we used their WIFI instead of our Verizon service.  Also, when we have free WIFI, we download our pictures to Face book and/or our blog. We do not watch videos over the Internet while using our Verizon Internet. We can not take advantage of home school classes over the Internet with Verizon Internet. However this is not a problem for us at this time. If we do need to watch videos or take classes via the Internet,  them I find a Free WIFI Hotspot.  ( Thanks for the link Tonya .) 

If you are traveling and considering Verizon, you can look on http://www.verizonwireless.com/ at their coverage area chart.  Whenever you have Verizon cell service, you will have Verizon Broadband coverage. Overall, we have been pleased with our decision to go with Verizon.

(Note - we do have Internet on our cell phones. Honestly, I think if I dropped the Internet from the phones we still would not go over on our Broadband.)