Mobile Hot spot subscription options for JT?

[SeanKenmore]

I am looking for options other than my cell phone enabled hot spot to have a wifi on the go. So would like to check what subscriptions options are available for Jeep Gladiator factory installed mobile hot spot and how much others are paying for it? Are there other cheaper alternatives than using Jeep installed hot spot? With all new emerging technology advancements and potentially multiple options I feel like lost when deciding on this matter ? thanks ??

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[WILDHOBO]

I am looking for options other than my cell phone enabled hot spot to have a wifi on the go. So would like to check what subscriptions options are available for Jeep Gladiator factory installed mobile hot spot and how much others are paying for it? Are there other cheaper alternatives than using Jeep installed hot spot? With all new emerging technology advancements and potentially multiple options I feel like lost when deciding on this matter ? thanks ??

Starlink mobility. Not cheap to get the hardware, but a complete game changer. It works with zero coverage. You get high speed Wi-Fi internet access, and with Wi-Fi calling, you receive and make cell phone calls with no coverage. You can pause the monthly charges anytime. No contracts.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Unless you regularly have passengers that need a hotspot (like children with wi-fi tablets), it's an unnecessary expense. Many mobile phone plans include data that is cheaper than the AT&T hotspot option in the Jeep. I'm not sure it's even available right now, they stopped selling subscriptions a while back due to compatibility issues with the Uconnect hotspot hardware and the AT&T network. I would just use the hotspot on the phone, when needed, or get a mobile hotspot from your cellular provider.

 

[sharpsicle]

Starlink is the definition of overkill. Unless you plan on living out of your truck while constantly on the move, or have a specific use case for it, it's an absolute waste of money. Your typical person has no need to install Starlink on their truck just to get wifi in it. You need to put an antenna on the roof (which costs $2,500 for the hardware alone) and then it's $250/mo. That's asking a lot when there are other options out there for casual wifi use.

The mobile hotspot is what I've found to be the best route. I'm fortunate enough that Google Fi lets you get 'data-only' SIM cards that piggy back on your phone's plan. So no second line required to set up a hotspot. That's what I do. Other carriers often will want another plan on your account for the hotspot and that will vary in cost. But it is the best way to get wifi into your truck.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Starlink is the definition of overkill. Unless you plan on living out of your truck while constantly on the move, or have a specific use case for it, it's an absolute waste of money. Your typical person has no need to install Starlink on their truck just to get wifi in it. You need to put an antenna on the roof (which costs $2,500 for the hardware alone) and then it's $250/mo. That's asking a lot when there are other options out there for casual wifi use.

The mobile hotspot is what I've found to be the best route. I'm fortunate enough that Google Fi lets you get 'data-only' SIM cards that piggy back on your phone's plan. So no second line required to set up a hotspot. That's what I do. Other carriers often will want another plan on your account for the hotspot and that will vary in cost. But it is the best way to get wifi into your truck.

You’re ignoring the possibility of having no cell phone coverage. Easy for you to claim overkill. I for one own my own business and am the only employee. My wife is the same for her business. Starlink costs less in a single year than paying people for coverage. We’re now never out of the office. We’re “working remotely”. Even in the middle of absolute nowhere. And it works perfectly when moving at interstate speeds.

it literally saved us money, in year one.

 

[smlobx]

How about a compromise…

You can get a WEBOOST cellular booster that will enable you to use your phone’s,hotspot just about anywhere in the US. Of course if you’re completely out of cell service it can’t help but if you have at least 1 bar it should work for you.

We use it quite regularly when overlanding in the US as my wife needs to stay connected.

 

[WILDHOBO]

How about a compromise…

You can get a WEBOOST cellular booster that will enable you to use your phone’s,hotspot just about anywhere in the US. Of course if you’re completely out of cell service it can’t help but if you have at least 1 bar it should work for you.

We use it quite regularly when overlanding in the US as my wife needs to stay connected.

That may work in a few areas, but in the west, there are 100+ mile stretches with zero bars of any “G”. I’m not just talking about 4g or 5g. No 3g. Nothing. I was on a trail yesterday where people were wondering how I was receiving a call from someone checking on my progress.

 

[smlobx]

That may work in a few areas, but in the west, there are 100+ mile stretches with zero bars of any “G”. I’m not just talking about 4g or 5g. No 3g. Nothing. I was on a trail yesterday where people were wondering how I was receiving a call from someone checking on my progress.

‘I’m very familiar with overlanding in the West and while you are correct that some areas have zero cell service we have found that there are a surprisingly amount of pockets that one can get a signal. If you need to stay connected 24/7 then you shouldn’t get out there. For most people being able to check in occasionally is usually good enough.

When we travel to very remote areas we use our InReach to communicate and recently used Starlink as well but for most people this is overkill. The OP is in Maryland and didn’t say anything about going to very remote areas…

 

[sharpsicle]

You’re ignoring the possibility of having no cell phone coverage. Easy for you to claim overkill. I for one own my own business and am the only employee. My wife is the same for her business. Starlink costs less in a single year than paying people for coverage. We’re now never out of the office. We’re “working remotely”. Even in the middle of absolute nowhere. And it works perfectly when moving at interstate speeds.

it literally saved us money, in year one.

I’m not knocking on the merits of it for your use case, but the OP is just looking for something to replace his phone hotspot. That’s casual use. He didn’t say he’s looking to run his entire business through it and avoid having additional employees, or that he’s going to areas where cell coverage is limited, and he needs to have coverage there. You do, and that’s great, but that doesn’t mean OP is the same.

Starlink seems like the right use for you. It doesn’t seem like the right use for OP. It’s easy to claim overkill here because, well, it is. If he changes his needs, then of course the better solution will also change.

 

[jav_eee]

You’re ignoring the possibility of having no cell phone coverage. Easy for you to claim overkill. I for one own my own business and am the only employee. My wife is the same for her business. Starlink costs less in a single year than paying people for coverage. We’re now never out of the office. We’re “working remotely”. Even in the middle of absolute nowhere. And it works perfectly when moving at interstate speeds.

it literally saved us money, in year one.

He did say "unless you have a specific use case" which i think you definitely do.

I've never had a good experience with with factory equipped in-car hotspots and i have zero reason to believe FCA does it better than anyone else. Just get a portable hotspot if you really need one. I'm struggling to think of a reason why i'd need a seperate device (that requires wifi) to do most things that can probably be done on my phone. Maybe stream something while still using your phone for texting or talking?

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