Millenicom price increase - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Hdrider · RV-Dreams Family Member

Millenicom price increase

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I just got the email from them, no April Fools joke. Verizon raised the prices, so they had no choice.

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Due to increased data costs from the upstream carrier all Millenicom broadband accounts (Hotspot, Advanced and Standard Plans) will allow for 20GB of data transfer for $89.99 monthly beginning May 1, 2014.

In the event you require higher usage, Millenicom can add data in 20GB increments for $89.99. This means you no longer need to purchase an additional device, activation and shipping, to acquire more than 20GB of data.

Please note you can track usage online by checking the usage field at the bottom of your plan link from the products tab in the Members Center.

Millenicom
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Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Here's an article we put out that explains the details of the changes, and the why:

www.technomadia.com/2014/04/millenicom-verizon-hotspot-price-increase-no-joke/

We're actually relieved the news is just an increase.. and not a cancellation of the service (which is what it was looking like last week.) Still $50/month cheaper than direct with Verizon for the same bucket of data.

- Cherie

mylittledogs · RV-Dreams Family Member

I was looking to get millenicom when we start fulltimming in the next couple of months. But now we will try to do without. Does not seen worth it to us. We will only use it for bill paying an family chats.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Technomadia - thanks for the blog update, that explained a lot. I'll look forward to when the online system shows a more up to date usage. This is still a great deal for those of us who have to be online for the virtual "day job".

bigredoes · RV-Dreams Family Member

Does the provision of 'no contract' and the ability 'turn it on and off' still prevail ? or they lost as well?

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

its still a no contract Deal...........

it is also still the best rate out there.......the next closest would be walmarts ,and theirs isn't close as far GB's go.

I have yet to find Stable Wifi in any place that would compensate the need

if your a heavy user or rely on onboard systems....there is nothing dollar for dollar even close ....and the customer service is Great!!!

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

bigredoes wrote:
Does the provision of 'no contract' and the ability 'turn it on and off' still prevail ? or they lost as well?

As far as we are aware, there have been no changes to the ability to put the service on vacation or suspension as needed. And it definitely is still a no contract plan.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

mylittledogs wrote:
I was looking to get millenicom when we start fulltimming in the next couple of months. But now we will try to do without. Does not seen worth it to us. We will only use it for bill paying an family chats.

If you are fulltiming for any length of time you will find that (1) you do more on line that you think you will, (2) wifi in parks is usually bad, (3) it becomes a pain finding other places to pick up a wifi signal - like sitting in library parking lots.

Barb

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

Listen to Barb's advice, above. She is a wise woman :) And I totally agree ;)

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, now I'm blushing; such high praise, much appreciated.

Barb

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

something to think about...

The next cheapest mobile broadband without contract is walmart........that would be 3GB for 45.00.......that makes 20GB with millenicom look real good!!!!!

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lucky Mike wrote:
something to think about...

The next cheapest mobile broadband without contract is walmart........that would be 3GB for 45.00.......that makes 20GB with millenicom look real good!!!!!

And that would on Verizon's 3G only network too :)

There is actually a 60GB plan for about what Millenicom is charging through WifiNWireless - but it would be on Sprint's network (which doesn't work for our needs, but perhaps might for others who stick to mainly urban locations). And I believe they have a waiting list for new customers too.

But yup, as much as a price increase sucks ... we consider mobile internet essential to enable our RVing lifestyle, and Millenicom still offers the best deal for our needs. We'll just have to drink one less box of wine to compensate.

RonaldNC · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm thinking about jumping on the Millenicom train. One question... do you all suggest using an external antenna?

Ron

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We use an external antenna, sometimes. If the signal is weak or if we walk outside and see that we have more bars outside than inside or drive a little closer to the city and see if the signal quickly gets stronger, we put the antenna up. If we're staying somewhere with quick enough speed when we first set up we sometimes don't bother with the antenna. Another one of those "it depends" answers.

Example: Right now we're in TX, we've had lots of wind and some thunder and lightening, our signal strength is really good without the antenna so we decided not to bother. Didn't want to risk the weather elements for just a slight gain.

RVKevi · RV-Dreams Family Member

Actually, for some of us who are on the older $59.99 plan it is a $30 increase. We haven't decided if we will stick with this or try for something else, since I don't think we normally use more than 5g, so we don't, actually, need 20g. But we will probably keep it. Just hate having a 50% increase. That's pretty steep.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

If 5GB and 3G is enough for you, go to Wal-Mart and get the StraighTalk hotspot on Verizon (they show the coverage map in red), about $80 and $50 for 5GB/60 days.

RVKevi · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've been looking at that today, Bill. It might be enough. I checked and I used 5.45 gb in March. With some care, I could probably keep it under 5, or just add a little more often. It would still be less than Millenicom will be. We probably won't do it right away, because I want to make sure they aren't going to raise their rates, too. If you go on the Millenicom site and check the 20G plan, it still says $69.99. I'd hate to buy the Straight Talk device and have that price go up the first of May. So I think we'll wait and see what happens.