A Mobile Data plan that works for me!

So a few months ago I began reading a lot about Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in the US. One new one which caught my interest was Visible - https://www.visible.com/

$40/month. No contract. Unlimited data. No data throttling. Hotspot tethering. Uses Verizon's network. (Actually owned by Verizon)

Sounded very intriguing. The price is pretty close to what I pay (per phone) for two AT&T phones on a Family Share plan with capped 6 Gigs of data. I've wanted to increase our traveling data plan, but just didn't like anything I saw and didn't want to get locked into something. When not traveling, 6 gigs of shared data works fine for the two phones. We do use a pre-paid T-Mobile plan for iPad (with tethering), but it is limited.

We had some camping trips in the works (northeast) and I like using Google YouTubeTV or HBONow/Netflix  while camping (data hogs). I do, occasionally need to do a little virtual office work also. I figured this would be a good test.

I didn't want to switch over our existing AT&T phones, but I did have an old iPhone 6 (AT&T) sitting around. With a little effort and a few phone calls to AT&T I was able to get the old phone unlocked so that it could be used with any carrier. There is no charge for this.

I signed up for the new Visible service. The next day, I received (FedEx) the sim and a welcome kit. Installed the sim, fired it up, waited a bit and there it was on the "Visible" (Verizon) network. Worked just fine @ home. As well as my AT&T phones. Test would be on the road and tethering. The idea was to use it as a mobile hotspot while traveling and camping.

Oh, before I tell you how well it worked; I did an initial inquire about "pausing" the service. I wanted to know if I could stop paying the $40.00/mt and come back anytime I wanted. They said, "Yes! But, if you pause it longer than 60 days you will loose your number". There is no fee for pausing. You simply pay or don't pay. They remind you when it is time to pay - online.

So, over the last six weeks or so, we have traveled quite a bit down and around Maryland, upstate New York (finger lakes region) and even up north of Ottawa, CA. With the exception of Canada, I have to say the service worked great! They don't have a Canadian roaming plan yet. We used our AT&T and a prepaid T-Mobile iPad plan in Canada. As we like to stream internet radio or music while on the road, I did find the rare occasional dead zone. Pretty much on par with AT&T, but better than T-Mobile. I never used the Visible (iPhone6) for making voice calls - strictly as a mobile hotspot.

The fine print says you can only tether one device at a time, but I find I can tether my XR and Laptop at the same time with no problem. I had no problem streaming live TV (Google YouTubeTV) or Netflix or HBO. 

And here's the kicker...

Yesterday, I get an email from "Visible Perks". It was a $100.00 prepaid Mastercard account! I activated it and already have spent $80.00 of it on Amazon. Sooooo, I have paid them $80.00 for two months of service. They paid me $100.00 for signing up. I'm still $20.00 ahead! How could I not recommend them!!

Most of you know I have been around here long enough that I'm not trying to scam anyone. And I know this sounds like a scam. This just seems like a deal folks here might be interested in. Your experience may be completely different - in fact I did read a lot of nasty stuff. I just know my experience has been great.

fred

It would probably work.  You might want to unlock the phone you use as a hotspot. That way, you're not tied to any carrier. AT&T has an online system of unlocking if your phone is paid off. It didn't work for me, but a couple of 611 calls and it was fixed. For $20.00 it might be worth a try - using the referral price.

Give me a few minutes and I'll try the WiFi calling with my phones.

I ported my landline to Google Voice years ago (via burner cell). At home I use an Obi 200 w/Google Voice.

fred

Posted this using the above configuration.

Fred

Yeah, I battle spam calls all the time. W/Google voice @ home, we just don't pick up the phone if we don't recognize the number and every once in a while I go online and block a bunch of them. Not too bad.

Prolly crazy, but I'm not ready to drop AT&T (wireless) just yet. Been with them for 30+ years, back when I could get a free toaster oven negotiating a new rate! I am going to keep going with Visible as my RV Hotspot, at least as long as they keep proving themselves. I probably should switch, just old and stubborn. ;)

(I edited above cuz I figured you might have AT&T landline. I dropped Comcast landline years ago for VOIP via GV)

As far as connectivity goes, I totally agree with proximity to towers. I've been on the road all over the country with AT&T, VZ and T-Mobile. They all have dead zones. My experience...AT&T slight advantage over VZ. T-Mobile great on Interstates and big cities and Canada. So far, as you say, Visible is Verizon so shouldn't be any different. I have read that they do get throttle in congested areas - I don't hang around congested areas. Also, not sure if it's my old iPhone 6 or not, but I have toggled airplane mode a few times to search for new tower and better connection. Prolly just old phone.

If you do give Visible a try, please use my referral. I'm trying to see how many gigs I can get for nuthin! So far, I have used 30Gb in six weeks on Visible and they have paid me $20.00 for the privilege. Crazy, but true.

fred

A fairly even handed description on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Fi

Unlike Visible, which is CDMA/LTE, this is a blend of GSM, CDMA, HSPA+, LTE, and WiFi.

Out here in the west, we find VZ has much better coverage than AT&T. At home, we get VZ with 2 bars (if you're on the west side of the house), but we get zip from AT&T. Works better for us to just be on WiFi.