Mellinicom usage tracking - RV-Dreams Community Forum

cdat12 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Mellinicom usage tracking

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I run ours through a Cradlepoint MBR95 router to get usage data. You can also log onto Millenicom's website, where they update the usage 2 to 3 times a week under each active "product". 2 to 3 times a week is OK if you are not getting close to the 20GB per month limit. Comparing the MBR95 usage numbers to the website, it runs about 3% high, which is in my favor. I am thinking about getting a Pepwave Surf SOHO router so I can USB tether the 291 hotspot/Jetpack instead of "WiFi as WAN" and still have usage tracking. Our hotspot does not show usage itself, even though it will if you are a direct Verizon customer.
Note that for us, since the Millenicom hotspot is not our only internet source, using a router makes sense. Our wireless printer and all of our computers and tablets only know the router's WiFi name (SSID), so we can switch the router from Millenicom to our AT&T hotspot or to campground WiFi, and all the devices still connect and work.

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our Pantech MHS291 reports it right on the device.. and we double check on Millenicom's website. They are supposed to be working on more timely updating of usage too.

Other than that, a router is a great way to go. Both of the devices Bill mentioned seem to have decent usage tracking, and some great new stuff coming in the latest WiFiRanger firmware release.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

When I asked Millenicom why our Pantech MHS291 did not track usage on the device, they told me our plan was new and those did not track. No, it could not be changed so it did track usage. They also said the tracking is not accurate, but that is not what I have heard from those whose hotspot's do show the numbers. My mother-in-law's Millenicom 291 does not track usage either, she picked it up a month after we did. I know Cherie and Chris updated from an older hotspot, so I think they have an older plan that does track usage. We updated from the 3G 760 USB modem, so our plan changed.
Long story, if you are a new Millenicom customer or one updating from 3G, you will probably not see usage tracking on the device. Another case where those with older plans have an advantage or differences in experience.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, both our hotspot and my mother-in-law's hotspot started to show usage on the Pantech MH291LVW with Millenicom in the last few days. I like that.

cdat12 · RV-Dreams Community Member

I had the same experience about the same time, all of a sudden I can track my usage.

Clay L · RV-Dreams Family Member

A little off topic but might be of interest to some.
I just checked into switching from Verizon 3G to Millenicom/Verizon 4G. I use a CradlePoint MBR95 router. CradlePoint says the MIFI furnished by Millenicom will not work with the MBR95. There were earlier 3G MIFIs that did but not the 4G one.
Millenicom initially said it would work but after checking said they hadn't tested it and so weren't sure. Millenicom said a work around is to buy their plan from the 3GSstore who will furnish a 4G USB modem that will work with the MBR95.
I think that is the way I will go.

-- Edited by Clay L on Saturday 28th of June 2014 11:43:49 AM

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
Well, both our hotspot and my mother-in-law's hotspot started to show usage on the Pantech MH291LVW with Millenicom in the last few days. I like that.

Yup.. they finally got that worked out.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Clay L wrote:
A little off topic but might be of interest to some.
I just checked into switching from Verizon 3G to Millenicom/Verizon 4G. I use a CradlePoint MBR95 router. CradlePoint says the MIFI furnished by Millenicom will not work with the MBR95. There were earlier 3G MIFIs that did but not the 4G one.
Millenicom initially said it would work but after checking said they hadn't tested it and so weren't sure. Millenicom said a work around is to buy their plan from the 3GSstore who will furnish a 4G USB modem that will work with the MBR95.
I think that is the way I will go.

-- Edited by Clay L on Saturday 28th of June 2014 11:43:49 AM

I just use Wifi as WAN with the MBR95 and it works out well. Yes, there is some slowdown, but it isn't significant. I just downloaded a 1.2GB file (a Linux .iso DVD image) and it took 20 minutes.

But, I am still tempted to get a Pepwave Surf SOHO router since it will USB tether with the 291 hotspot. I will also warn those with hotspot that Millenicom tech support really has a thing about running the hotspots off USB. They always ask you to run them on battery and plug them in only long enough to charge. Difficult if tethered.

The USB modem that 3GStore will supply might be a 290, which does not use the AWS spectrum that Verizon is adding to the its 4GLTE. Many of the older hotspots do not support AWS, either. The 291 supposedly does and so does my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phone. Comparing numbers, I think the 291 does support AWS. AWS can give you more reliable service and faster service in many areas.

(Note: I normally would not download such a large file via Millenicom. But it is the end of the month and we have the GB left.)

-- Edited by bjoyce on Saturday 28th of June 2014 01:42:41 PM

-- Edited by bjoyce on Saturday 28th of June 2014 02:10:47 PM

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Technomadia wrote:
bjoyce wrote:
Well, both our hotspot and my mother-in-law's hotspot started to show usage on the Pantech MH291LVW with Millenicom in the last few days. I like that.
Yup.. they finally got that worked out.

I am glad they did. I think it is also in their best interests since I have seen multiple complaints about people hitting 20GB and not expecting it. They end up blaming Millenicom and I am sure that in most cases it is their own fault. Many people have no idea of their usage and I am fascinated that some think that video chatting is low usage or other myths. We have a relative who won't believe that if she watches a video a second time, via Youtube, Netflix, etc., that it downloads again and uses more GBs. I prefer AT&T's way, they show the usage on the hotspot lock screen, instead of leaving it up the user to check it.