(02-16-2018 08:27 AM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(02-16-2018 01:55 AM)Kittonhead Wrote:  Shopping around for mobile broadband data at the moment to see if anything is economical enough to replace DSL.

-Verizon unlimited data wireless+jet pack ($110 dollars plus taxes/fees). If you figure you'll usually use 8GB data a month on the phone, necessitating a 50 dollar plan to be able to go unlimited also on a jet pack for $60 dollars more isn't bad. Fees though with Verizon tend to be high.

-Sprint 50GB ($50 plus taxes). Good price point and good data allotment. The traditional 22GB mobile limit isn't enough for most users. Free Hulu with Sprint account.

-T-Mobile unlimited ($70 per month). A little more expensive but unlimited. Throttling begins now at 50GB which is a lot better than previous 22GB industry cutoff point. Add in free Netflix with account.

-AT&T 25GB ($40 plus taxes). A more moderate data option that might work for some users. Cellphone plan at 40 dollars includes free HBO and 10 dollar DirectTVnow subscription.

-MetroPCS 16GB ($50 dollars). They just brought in the jetpack a couple of months ago. Their pricing is better than T-Mobile's old data plan where it would be $55 dollars for 14GB but otherwise not the most competitive offer. For $125 the jetpack could support 54GB of data.

-Boost Mobile unlimted wireless with 20GB mobile hotspot ($60 dollars). It could be the best of the second tier carriers if the plan is to use a phone as a jetpack. Sprint network with better coverage than MetroPCS.

-Cricket unlimited wireless with 8GB mobile hotspot ($55 dollars). At 8GB its not possible to meet data needs for a household.

Great summary! Thanks for this as I was wondering if the wireless carriers as getting to the point where I can get off of DSL.
I think as 5G rolls out we may see more competition with the phone carriers competing in the internet arena.
I'm keeping an eye on T Mobile and the Spectrum they bought. There are phones currently being made for the specific band they purchased that gives better coverage and penetration in buildings.

Thanks. With AT&T and T-Mobile pushing up to 50GB limits before throttling its becoming actually realistic alternative. I have been waiting for the price point to get there for years on broadband.

I'm not sold yet on the pay IPTV packages. Its a minimum of $25 for a basic IPTV package (more than the price of Showtime & Starz standalone) and by the time you have a decent package together its $55-$60 dollars.

Example 1
AT&T unlimited cell $60 ($66) (Free HBO)
Sprint 50GB Broadband $50 ($55)
Hulu standalone $8
Direct TV now 120 channels $70 ($55 AT&T discount) (Includes Starz)
Total $184.

Example 2
AT&T unlimited cell $60 ($66) (Free HBO)
Hulu standalone $8
Comcast preferred double play 220 channels $90 (Includes Showtime)
Total $164 (another $20-$30 with cable fees).

With fees example 2 is about but as you can see you don't get as much for your money with the pay IPTV. Plus you are dealing with lower quality streams and less of a convenience factor.

Example 3
AT&T unlimited cell $60 ($66) (Free HBO)
Sprint 50GB Broadband $50 ($55)
Direct TV now 60 channels $35 ($20 AT&T discount)
Direct TV now HBO, Showtime $13
Hulu standalone $8
Total $162.

Example 4
Cricket 5GB wireless plan $35
Sprint 50GB Broadband $50 ($55)
Standalone HBO, Showtime, Hulu $35
Total $125.

Its $37 dollars less not to have the IPTV package even with the free HBO from being a AT&T subscriber and discounted direct TV. Major cell carriers tack on fees like cable does. At least they don't constantly increase the price on you.

Example 5
Cricket 5GB wireless plan $35
Sprint 50GB Broadband $50 ($55)
Hulu Live TV $40
HBO, Showtime (Hulu Discount) $16
Total $146.

Hulu at its 40 dollar price point has CBSSN, ESPNU, FS2 which is big for the mid major sports fan. YouTube TV has all of that but you get a much better VOD with Hulu.

The possibility is there to save $50 dollars a month ($1000) pretax and still maintain it at a high quality level. Deal with less hassle compared to having to constantly monitor and renegotiate.