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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 9 Mar 2022 02:22pm
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I saw a TikTok about a couple that RV's full time and they use T-Mobile's home internet service. Unbeknownst to me, t-mobile appears to have an impressive coverage map. Now this device is intended to be used for a fixed address, but apparently they travel all over with it. Best part is they don't charge for the device, the service is $50mo with no data caps or throttling, etc. and they require no contract.
So i reached out and they said there is 5g service at my cabin. I question that because our signal with Verizon is horrible. But they said there is a 15 day 100% money back guarantee, so i figured i've got nothing to loose.
Anyone here have this service and have any luck with it?
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pabear89
Member
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# Posted: 9 Mar 2022 02:40pm
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I use a wireless modem for the internet thru US cellular
It all depends on how far the closest tower is to you and what may hamper the signal, Weather will be an influence on it too.
But when your out in the woods and not even the US mail will deliver to you, You do what is needed.
Use that 15 day test a various times to make sure it will perform as advertised.
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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2022 07:43am
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Agree. Since there's no contract and i don't pay for the device, if i go beyond the 15 days the worse i'm out is the monthly fee of $50.
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TrentOhio
Member
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2022 10:12am
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We currently use this for our home internet and love it.
Well worth the 50 bucks.
5 kids plus 2 adults and we dont have any slow down issues
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spencerin
Member
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# Posted: 12 Mar 2022 01:28am
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Just because one carrier has poor service in a location, it doesn't mean all others will, too.....
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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 21 Mar 2022 08:36am
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Well, got the t-mobile unit installed this weekend. Unfortunately we are only pulling down 20-30mb...more than what we had before and more reliable so it's progress. Enough to surf the web on our phones, youtube, and watch Hulu via the Roku on TV. When i have more time i'll probably take some time and try different locations and whatnot to see if we can improve the signal somehow.
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Nate R
Member
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# Posted: 21 Mar 2022 10:41am
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ONLY 20-30? Not bad at all, I think! 
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BRADISH
Member
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# Posted: 21 Mar 2022 11:11am
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I looked into doing this, but AT&T is the only provider that reaches my cabin. Their hotspot wifi service was like $50 for the device, and then $20
month or something.
Or I could just add 20GB of hotspot via my phone for $5/month so I went with that. I also intend to get one of the Hi-power cell boosters. With the two of those, I think I will be able to opt out of any dedicated internet service at the cabin. At least for now.
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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 21 Mar 2022 12:56pm
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@NateR...as i said, sufficient for what we were doing this weekend...TBD on cameras though. I was comparing to what i've seen youtube videos of what people normally get in their homes with that device and it's between 200-300mb.
@Bradish...be sure to check if they have data caps, throttling limits or any required contracts. The T-Mobile device has multiple large antennas inside of it, so it works better than just a phone, that's what i was doing. The other downside with the phone is if you put a hotspot out for others to use, you need to leave your phone where everyone can access the signal. I like to carry mine with me everywhere so that causes issues. We did the cell booster as well and while it did improve a little, this device has improved it substantially so i'll probably disassemble and sell the booster.
Another thing i've heard people do is buy another phone for their cell plan. Then pull the sim card and add it to a sim based router....so basically creating the same thing as what the t-mobile device is i guess. So depending on your cell plan, this might be a more economical option as well.
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Fanman
Member
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# Posted: 21 Mar 2022 06:03pm
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T-Mobile guaranteed we'd have service at our cabin, so we tried it. Nothing. At. All. Returned it and stuck with Verizon, which was flaky and intermittent but you'd get through eventually. But last summer they put some new towers up and it's now a lot better.
We use their (Verizon's) "Jetpack" hotspot. "Unlimited" data, but what it really means is 2GB/month at full speed, then it's throttled to 600kbps (you can check your email but forget about streaming). This summer we may get one of those gray market SIM cards for it, some of our neighbors have used them with with MoFi routers good results.
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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 5 Apr 2022 09:46am
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Just an update, the T-Mobile unit has been working great thus far. I've been able to install a WYZE Floodlight camera on my cabin exterior as well as a WYZX rotating camera for the interior. Also had no issues using Roku on the TV in the cabin. Definitely worth the $50 a month!! Fingers crossed the signal holds up once spring/summer arrives and the trees leaf out.
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jhp
Member
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# Posted: 5 Apr 2022 10:01am
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If you have a spotty cell signal, try a cell booster.
I have the previous generation of this one, works great:
https://www.weboost.com/products/home-room
You can get one factory refurbished on Amazon for $300.
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Nate R
Member
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2022 11:54am
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Still working OK? T-Mobile won't give me unlimited service, but they claim this:
Home Internet Unlimited is not available at your address yet, but Internet Lite might be the right fit for you!
If you’re looking for an internet solution now, call us at 1-855-522-1334, or visit us in-store to learn more about our Home Internet Lite plans starting at 100GB per month.
Dunno if that's just their 4G LTE service or what. There's a new cell tower right near me, but not sure if it's not turned on yet, or only for certain bands/carriers, as my signal is not improved at all up there... It's been worse this year on weekends...I can't get any data even if I get good signal... The cell towers are so crowded. Even simple things like checking weather radar... Annoying. Seems like once 3G was shut off, things got worse up there? Dunno...
Either way, starting to look harder at my options....
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justins7
Member
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# Posted: 9 Sep 2022 04:11pm - Edited by: justins7
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WILL1E, Do you know how the couple you mentioned in an RV are able to move around with it, if the device is supposed to be at a fixed address?
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justins7
Member
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# Posted: 9 Sep 2022 04:15pm
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I have the T-mobile internet device at my apartment in the city, but was told by T-mobile that it can't be used anywhere else. I initially thought about bringing it with me when I go to my cabin 3 hours away (where t-mobile says there is coverage), but then they nixed that idea.
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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 12 Sep 2022 01:22pm
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@NateR Yes, it's been working great all season so far. We don't usually dip below 15mb and my cabin is smack in the middle of the trees which are still fully leafed out.
So you need to fudge their system a bit as i got the same message saying my cabin address was not a service area. I listed my home address in the city (bill is going there anyways) and then took it up to the cabin. The physical location of the device doesn't matter, you can take it anywhere. If your home address isn't a service location either, you just need an address that is in their service location which is where they will ship the device to. Just choose paperless billing and you won't have to worry about a bill going there.
Quoting: justins7 I have the T-mobile internet device at my apartment in the city, but was told by T-mobile that it can't be used anywhere else. I initially thought about bringing it with me when I go to my cabin 3 hours away (where t-mobile says there is coverage), but then they nixed that idea.
I wouldn't worry about it, try it and see if it works.
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