SampsonNation

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum!


I recently cancelled my CLEAR USB Mobile Broadband because I was paying $55 a month. My phone is not a smart phone and I roughly spend $20 a month for it alone. If you total that up, it was about $75 monthly!

Needless to say, I'm looking for other options.


I decided to get the HTC Evo Design from Boostmobile. I haven't received it yet, but it should be here in a few days. My only reason for getting it is it has the ability to tether for an extra $10 a month with unlimited data. This sounds great, as I want to tether my laptop when I DJ mobile occasionally and tether to my computer when I'm at work.

I estimate I really only need it for Pandora for roughly 5 hours a day, 5 days a week.


My question to you guys is, as far as cost and value goes...Is the HTC good a good option for my situation? I'm basically trying to achieve mobile internet for my laptop while on the go. I also like the cost because Boostmobile lowers your plan after 6 payments, etc.


If I went with a dedicated broadband, I'd be spending $35 on that alone and still $20 for my phone that I still have... That's $55 a month when Boosmobile offers it as low as 45 with tether after a certain amount of payments.


What do you guys think?

plnelson

I'm still a little unclear on your requirements.

WRT DJ'ing - why do you need to be tethered for that? Why don't you just have the songs you want to play loaded on the laptop? I have 10,000 tracks, mostly as 250-320 kbps MP3's and they take up less than 80G You probably don't need anywhere near that many for a DJ gig.

Also, for both the laptop and the phone, why can't you just you local WiFi for things like Pandora?

SampsonNation

My mistake for being unclear. I was in a hurry and had to go back to work when I was typing the post :P.

I'm looking for a way to get mobile internet in my car (work related) for my laptop & iPad by using a cell phone (tethering) if it would provide me with the cheapest option that's reliable. I use the highest amount of data while I'm traveling in my car and this is why I'm choosing this option over wifi.

I mainly want to use Pandora, eMail, IM, and internet browsers. The basics mostly.

I've never used a phone to tether. I was wondering given my situation, what would suit me best. A cell phone, or a dedicated broadband hotspot device?

Last edited by SampsonNation; August 4th, 2012 at 01:59 PM.

javasirc

It really depends on weather or not you want a smartphone. You have an iPad so your "mobile device" is covered.

If you do a lot of traveling around the country, I would have to recommend Verizon because they have the largest coverage.

As far as the phone vs hotspot device, I've used both, and for the most part there is no real difference. The hotspot device may get slightly longer reception distance, but almost unnoticeable. The primary difference I think would be using one carrier for phone and a separate carrier for data. If you want to use the same carrier I would just get a smartphone and UAE mobile hotspot feature. The hotspot feature toggles on with a tap of a widget.

And as a side note, having a basic phone plus mobile hotspot is one extra device you have to charge.

Last edited by javasirc; August 4th, 2012 at 04:08 PM.

SampsonNation

The UAE Hotspot feature is what the HTC Evo Design has? That's the phone I bought from BM.

I don't mind having two devices if somehow the cost and value (IE: bigger data limit) is worth and justifiable.

I was just tired of spending $75 between a phone AND hot spot. I didn't realize BM will cut your plan down to $45 including the tether option after a certain amount of payments.

That really made me consider this option!

chanchan05

I'd say get a MyFi device. For some reason with the iOS6 update, my classmates' iPads (about 4 of them) has trouble seeing hotspots from my Samsung devices even if they connected perfectly fine before.

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SampsonNation

My only concern with dedicated hotspots are, they have a data limit cap and I'm pretty sure I'm going to hit 3GB per month. Even if it's just a tad over. Pandora uses a lot .

By the way, I'm traveling locally. I don't go that far, mostly I stay in my state.

chanchan05

I think it depends on the contract with your provider. We have a local provider here (I'm in South East Asia) with whom I can get a SIM which is useable for phone or dongle use giving me unlimited data for a month for $20. I've already used up more than 20GB this month. From what I hear, there are similar services there (but are expensive)?

SampsonNation

I am from the USA. I googled and looked for a while on plans that offered "everything" that was cheaper including data. BoostMobile was the winner because they lower your cost per month down to $45. I couldn't find a better carrier.

jefboyardee

I’ve been using Klink for almost a year with no complaints.

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SampsonNation

This looks reliable. Your carrier hasn't caught onto to you using it?

If I could avoid the $10 fee from BM. It would bring my cell phone bill down to about $35 after having 18 payments to them with their unlimited plan. That's a good deal.

jefboyardee

My carrier claims to offer unlimited data, although I have seen evidence to the contrary with extreme users. I use around 7G per month, which is about ten percent of the extremists. I don’t do movies or games or anything enormous, just poke around the web. I’m apparently flying under the radar, knock on wood...

SampsonNation

If you don't mind me asking, how much do you spend a month? Do you also get unlimited minutes?

By the way, would there be any reason I couldn't purchase this app with using BoostMobiles version of the phone? I thought sometimes a carrier or a software update could block these types of tethering apps.

Thanks!!

jefboyardee

At seventy-something a month, Sprint ain’t cheap. But their 3G is rock-hard reliable and unlimited (up to a point). If and when on their upcoming 4G.

I have no idea, but as I recall, they’re not unlimited data and borrow 3G air from Sprint.

Other reasons I’m still with Sprint - I know it works, they don’t seem to care and I would rather spend a bit extra than take chances like that.

SampsonNation

Oh wow, okay.

I looked it up and apparently it's $79 a month. I personally can't justify that since my CLEAR device was $55 a month for 5gb and unlimited 4G, but I never even got close to 5gb.

Last edited by SampsonNation; August 5th, 2012 at 08:15 PM.

jefboyardee

I have that debate in my head every time I pay the bill -- there must be something cheaper and equally reliable -- but I always decide to wait until next month, pay the bill, and continue on my path in the dark.

jefboyardee

Check this: Should I stay with Sprint or go to T-Mobile?

SampsonNation

I just got got my phone and holy crap, the network is CRAP. I get 900 to 1MB of download speed on the BoostMobile network. I think that's exactly what I was getting on my old CLEAR device (would make sense because they both use Sprint). :/

adagiostrings

For my country, we have this multisim feature for an addition $8usd, then i'll use this multisim card on my used mobile broadband dongle leveraging on the mobile plan i have on my phone which is unlimited data and 14.4mbps network speed. Perhaps you can check around to see which operator have this multisim card feature?

SampsonNation

I've never heard of a multisim feature. I don't know if anyone offers that here.

Bren S.

Good luck with the tethering via Boost Mobile....their internet on their phones is incredibly slow and spotty I can't imagine that it would be any better via tether.

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Motorhead1991

Are the speakers on ypur computer that much better than the HTC? Pandora has an app on the market...

SampsonNation

I don't use my speakers for Pandora. I use a cable from the computer to my input on my radio in my car.

I wish I knew BM was so crappy. I never would have bought it.


Can I take the phone and use it on another carrier?

Demache

900 kb/s to 1 Mb/s is actually reasonably quick for 3G EVDO. On Verizon its about 500 kb/s here. Sometimes worse (I stick to LTE whenever possibly FYI). Technically, 2 Mb/s is actually the theoretical limit of EVDO but I'm sure they do some throttling and theoretical data rates are extremely hard to achieve realistically, especially over wireless.

Its slow in the modern sense, but its not necessarily Boost Mobile. That's just the way EVDO is. Its pretty old 3G technology now (I think its going on 8-10 years old and has been relatively unchanged).

And no you can't really move the phone to a different network since its CDMA. The only networks it work on theoretically is Sprint and Verizon. And you probably need to flash the phone in that case. And you probably wouldn't get any better data speeds (like I said, I'm getting worse, and I'm an actual Verizon customer).

If you aren't happy with it, it seems your only option is returning the phone if possible, and getting an unlocked GSM phone (the Galaxy Nexus might be a good choice since its relatively high end and is only $299 - which is really cheap for an unlocked phone with that kind of hardware) and get a prepaid SIM with data. Modern GSM phone's have far superior 3G technologies, especially if whatever carrier you go with supports HSPA+ (think of it as wireless cable internet) and your in an area that supports it.

That would be my last piece of advice. If you do decide to switch to GSM, check data coverage for that carrier in your area. While GSM does have the possibility of getting better data rates, service can be really spotty in remote areas and you might go back to EDGE (which is worse than EVDO).

Last edited by Demache; August 10th, 2012 at 08:29 PM.

SampsonNation

I'm not sure if it was LTE or 3G, but AT&T's device was giving me way over 3.5MBPS.

Idk what to do ... Should I keep the Design? I eventually want to tether to my laptop (Mac), so I can get email and possibly download a song I may not have when I'm DJing when Wifi is not available.

Demache

If it was AT&T, it was a GSM device most likely on 3G (although it may have been LTE if AT&T LTE is in your area). 3.5 Mbps isn't possible over Sprint or Verizon's CDMA network.

The final decision is up to you. If you can live with the Design, than go ahead.

Last edited by Demache; August 10th, 2012 at 08:35 PM.

SampsonNation

Well, are there other carries I should consider? I didn't try Virgin Mobile's, but I know Verizon and T-Mobile have like 2GB data caps or something around there.

Can anyone couch for their speed on 3G? 4G is not available in my area yet BTW.

Bren S.

Virgin mobile uses the same towers as boost.

djedgarftw

3.5mb is good i teather with my S3 on AT&T when i dj and i switch it to 3g so my battery wont drain. I get around their and it is good for that.

Now if you decide to keep itwith what you have been told is up to you

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djedgarftw

Doesent boost use sprint's towers?

Motorhead1991

Sprint, Boost and VM are all on the same towers.

!on

For anything where you're keeping the connection open, like streaming, it must be mobile broadband. If the carrier thinks you're tethering on a basic phone data tariff, they might throttle your speeds, then might warn you about it, or cut you off. Phone is OK for youtube & internet, various "small bouts" of data usage.

Go for what's suitable for your application, then look at who has the best price. I'm quite shocked at what you're being charged though .

SampsonNation

Well, I'm thinking of testing out the APP called Klink and tether on 3G only to see how well that works with my Macbook Pro. If I can settle for the quality of speed, I may just keep it. I really don't have any other options?

Other carriers charge $40+ just for mobile broadband and it's like 2 of 3 gb per month. Combined with my $20 cell bill, that's still a high 60 dollars monthly between the two products.

djedgarftw

I know what you mean 40+ is to much. And it should tether nicely to you mbp. Mine runs nice while on 3g

SampsonNation

What is your speed?

By the way, I'm wondering if I should keep the HTC Design or go with another HTC model. I used an iPhone years ago and this phone (HTC) seems kinda iffy at times. I'm having some difficulty with getting used to it, even though my current phone is not a smart phone.

chanchan05

Well Samsung and Apple are in the courts because Apple says Sammy copied a lot from them, so if you're coming from an iPhone a Galaxy device may be easier to learn. LOL.

alsaces daddy

Here's what I know..Sprint is daddy and boost and virgin are the youngins.

If you tether with boost its just as slow as browsing on your phone AND they now have a data throttle back after so much usage. So I wouldn't really recommend it, but then again its better than paying an extra $40 to have a phone and a separate hotspot.

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SampsonNation

I'm starting to like the Evo Design. I hope I made a good choice with a smart phone. It seems to sync well with my Mac's calendar as well. I kinda look at this phone as if it were an iPod touch or iPhone a little heh.

Oh by the way, BM apparently doesn't throttle.
Does boost throttle down data speeds?

Bren S.

Actually they are going to throttle, it simply hasn't been implemented yet. If you have FB check out boost mobiles page and feel free to ask about throttling.

SampsonNation

Hmm, I guess I'm back to square one.

1. Keep my $20 roughly unlimited talk/text account with AT&T and buy a 2nd device (mobile broadband) for $40. That would = $60 a month....

2. Try and keep the BM account , drop AT&T, and spend roughly $40 a month flat on their unlimited plan after 18 payments with them. I'd would also have a 2.5GB data cap w/ throttling, but still would have data and tethering ability after it.


Tough call.....

djedgarftw

Well think of which has better signal

SampsonNation

Signal, as in coverage? Or do you mean speed?

By the way, I ran a 4G speed test on my CLEAR device (Sprint/BM network), and I'm getting 4.5MBPS.

I think I'll keep the Evo Design for a few more weeks and see how much data I use and try to estimate what I'll need a month. I'll also have to test out the iPad tether ability and see if it works.

!on

What about a home broadband package that includes free wifi in town (same company)? Not ideal if you need to be out in the country though.

SampsonNation

I have that already. My parents have Optimum, but sadly that's not everywhere.

I may just keep BM. I mean, the only thing I really want out of this, is internet for my laptop/iPad.

SampsonNation

I just used klink for tethering, and I got .12 Mbps. I wonder why?

I just found out that you can only tether through the cable? Is that true?

Last edited by SampsonNation; August 14th, 2012 at 01:17 PM.

!on

Have you tried the bluetooth? I think if you pair your computer & phone you can run the wizard that sets up the networking. Might need to fill in a couple of fields regarding your network, on mine it was automatic, though I haven't used that method for a few years now. You can probable search those easy.

0.12? They must have detected the tethering.

SampsonNation

Interesting. I just ran a speed test on my phone and i got 500kbps. I just ran it on my computer and I got 1mbps. I think the network is just erratic like always.

I guess these speeds are leaving me with uncertainty if I should go ahead and use an iPad.


[Edit - Just ran it again and I'm still getting .80mbps]

Last edited by SampsonNation; August 14th, 2012 at 03:29 PM.

Bren S.

Are you paying the additional fee to Boost for tethering,and they've enabled it??

alsaces daddy

You don't have to pay an additional fee for tethering do you? I never have and I've had boost for 2 years.

Bren S.

Actually yes you do have to pay an additional fee to tether via the Evo. It is $10 extra a month and if you are tethering without the Evo then you are technically violating the TOS.
Boost's website and their FB can provide you with that info as well.