Jan 15, 2014
New Hotspot
The day the internet here at Tres Amigos RV Park was repaired and started working perfectly was the day that my new device arrived. We don’t do iPhones or iPads, just plain old internet on a regular computer. We don’t text nor do we want to. We manage our lives and our business just fine as is, so why complicate it? We both find that the computer takes more than enough of our time so I can only imagine how much more of our precious time the rest would take.
However I did have to learn about hotspots and their purpose. Not only do I need something to connect to the internet with here in Mexico and as we travel through the country, we need something while transiting the USA. A fellow RVer from Ontario found what he thought was the perfect device. I agreed with him. However it comes from Hong Kong. So I ordered it on Dec. 3/13 and it arrived in Juarez on Dec. 24/13 and cleared Mexican customs in Mazatlan on January 8th and it was delivered to me here at the RV Park on the Isla on January 11th.
This hotspot can connect up to 5 wireless devices.
The device is a Sierra Wireless AirCard 754S Mobile Hotspot 4G LTE Router AT&T and I purchased it here on Ebay. It was selling for $62.99 USD and with shipping from Hong Kong to Mazatlan it cost me $70.48USD. There was no additional customs charge. A Virgin Mobile 3G/4G USB Stick sells for between $30.00 to $45.00 USD depending on if you can get a sale price. However you can only use the Virgin USB in the USA. I was going to buy this to replace my Verizon system I had been using which created nothing but headaches for me. But now I don’t have to buy another device for the USA.
Because this new device is unlocked I can use it here in Mexico with Telcel, in the USA with AT&T and if I wanted to, in Canada, with the Rogers system. Here in Mazatlan for the equivalent of $11.28USD we were able to purchase a Telcel SIM card and for $30.00USD I now have 4GB of high speed internet good for 30 days. I can purchase more GB’s here on the Isla as I need it.
When we get to Yuma in April I we will purchase an AT&T SIM card for less than $10.00 and for $30.00 I will have 3GB of internet time, more than enough. Best of all both Telcel and AT&T are pay as you go plans so from now on I will only pay for what I need. Years ago when setting up our system with Verizon we had no choice but to go with the contract plan. The only thing a Canadian needs to know is that if you activate your AT&T account online you require a US credit card as your Canadian credit card will be rejected. To overcome this problem you need to purchase a VISA type card hanging at any Walmart checkout and put money on it. Yes you can use your Canadian credit card at the store in person. This prepaid Visa card is now your USA VISA card and you can keep putting money on it over and over.
I can’t thank Bob enough for pointing us in the direct of this device. A true deal at $70.48USD with international uses.
The other hotspot in my life.
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Good find! I am using a CradlePoint device but will not accept Telcel sticks. Therefore I can only use it in the US and Canada if I ever need it there,
Croft…It is a great find. Best part is that there are no sticks, just a tiny piece that can sit anywhere in your RV and is good for 5 Wifi connections.
Kevin…..50 cents is a fabulous price! As you know anything electronic in Mexico is costly so I’m happy with the 149 peso price.
Definitely a good deal. We have a “mi-fi”, but it’s locked to Bell. I have to figure out how to get it unlocked! Apparently it’s not as easy as unlocking a regular cell phone, but it can be done. A SIM card here in South Africa costs only 50 cents!
Looks like a good deal for you hope it works well.
We have a Verizon MIFI for up to 5 devices in the USA, And a similar Rogers one for Canada, no contract on either one works for us.
George…you have what works for you, hopefully I saved money by buying just the one device.
Marty…the only way I know how to make free phone calls from here is to use Skype on the internet so you should be good.
We have pretty reliable wi-fi at the resort and I downloaded Skype to my tablet so that will be a big help, too. If we were out and about your gadget would be a godsend. I should figure out how to make free calls or at least have some kind of phone to use while traveling in Mexico. I don’t take my laptop, just my Kindle.
Like you, I’m looking for a US carrier, I bought a Galaxy Grand dual SIM smart phone (to be delivered next week) and I’m looking for a carrier. With the dual SIM I can put a Canadian SIM card in and get probably better rates than with the Rogers phone we have back home. It also acts as a hot spot for the times when I don’t want to erect my sat internet tripod on the road.
I think I will go with T Mobile as they use the AT&T towers on GSM service. at $30 per month for unlimited data and 100 minutes of talk, it would fit our needs. The only difficulty is that not all WalMarts have the SIM card, I may have to go to a T mobile store to get it.
You may want to have a look.
Hola Al, I put your email into the comment section as it is info others can benefit from. I appreciate your information. We stopped using our satellite internet tripod years ago, way too much work plus extra stuff to carry.