Wireless / Mobile > Verizon Wireless > LTE for business connectivity - need some advice

LTE for business connectivity - need some advice

It looks like what I want is the Pantech UML290 + Cradlepoint MBR95 (from what I've read the MBR1200 is an older model).

Now I just need to keep looking to see if data plans exist beyond the 20GB/mo

reply to robroth
So much for this route.... the data plans, or lack thereof, kill it.

The DATA plans are: 2GB $ 30.00, 5GB $ 50.00 or 10GB $ 80.00.

I download one copy of a Microsoft product from MSDN and I've potentially used up my entire month.

reply to robroth
One other possibility, I have a couple of unused phones that are still active with unlimited data plans. Short of wireless tethering (which could possibly work but it wouldn't be ideal) is there a way of utilizing that unlimited plan for a Pantech?

If you have an Android LTE device with unlimited you can pay an additional $30 for unlimited data tethering via mobile hotspots.

My Droid Bionic (others do as well) have a hotspot feature. When I turn it on it allows up to 8 devices to connect to via wireless. I use that when I travel instead of a aircard. You just need to keep the phone plugged in it can drain the battery fast.

problem is that doesn't work all that well for a business unfortunately. I have an exchange server for example and need NAT and port forwarding and the other sort of features businesses need.

That's true but you won't find what your looking for from a cell company.

What about Fiber to your building, Cable or Fixed Wireless providers. Still not a fan of wireless for a primary part for business.

I have Comcast Business at our office 22/5 connection and our fail over (also are MPLS connection to our west coast office) is bonded T1s. If Comcast ever goes down we fail over to the bonded T1s. Comcast has gone down for maybe a total of 4 hours in 2 years.

In our west coast office my only option is T1's but it's a small office so bonded T1's is all they can get.

That's my issue, all we can get is T-1 (or T-3) and bonded T-1s are simply too much $$. I'm trying to work with Comcast and Verizon and am being told 'within the year' but they've been singing that same song for 6 years now. Businesses to either side of me about a mile down the road all have FIOS. Very frustrating. I was hoping cellular might be a route we could take for now.

Cell phone providers can I believe be a possible solution if one has an unlimited data plan (which I realize isn't really unlimited) but my understanding at least of the Verizon plan is the way they handle the throttling down of data is a much better practice than that of ATT and TMob, temporary and only if the tower is busy vs for the rest of the month.

But knowing what I know now, and not having an unlimited plan on anything other than a phone, it appears I'm stuck.

The other thing is depending on ports and SSL the LTE network has some issues. I know I don't have any problem with VPN, we use Cisco. I know other companies that don't use cisco have some issues with the LTE network.

You'd get more out of Comcast depending on their region vs. Verizon for FIOS. Depending on how big your building is I'd try to get the business rep to come in.

How much are you paying for you T1's and through who? I'd have to look what we are paying but my total bill for 2 locations so 4 T1's each site bonded, MPLS and our VoIP calls which vary month to month a bit, around $1800-$2k total.

A comast rep was sitting in my office this morning. he says they have to run lines on the poles outside which verizon owns and they are in the negotiation process. I've got a ticket open with Verizon engineering to see if there is any way they can extend FIOS as it's available about a mile to either side of me on this same road but I'm not getting my hopes up.

1800-2000 is WAAAAYYYY outside my budget. I'm paying around $400 now for a full T-1 which is already stretching things.

Try »www.accel-networks.com/ I think they have unlimited plans
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... need help? »evdo-tips.com/

reply to robroth
That $1800 is for an MPLS network , VoIP calls and 4 T1's. My T1's I'm paying about $5xx for 2 T1 lines bonded. I'd say your getting ripped off at $400 for 1.

Note the state he is in. Massachusetts, the land of taxes, large publicly funded pension plans, and the Big Dig. I think that might have something to do with the cost of the T-1.

reply to Jim_in_VA
I called Accel yesterday and got VM for sales and left a message, but it appears they are targeting a different market. Lottery machines, POS, security, etc. I found one guy complaining that they cut him off after 5GB of usage. I'll await their call to confirm but it doesn't sound like a solution unfortunately.

is there a WISP in your area?

Not according to the WISP directory. I even tried to see if there was a business local to us in line of sight that could get comcast or verizon figuring i might be able to cut a deal with them, but there is nobody in line of sight. Closest I know of is maybe 1 mile down the road with lots of trees in between us.

reply to robroth
What business are you in? Can you use hosting services? You would then exceed 20 GB Per Month?

I own an antenna that does both 2.4 ghz and LTE and is exterior grade. I wonder if you could do a 1 mile 2.4 ghz network.

reply to trtfghfhgt
just downloading a copy of something from MSDN can easily be 5 gig, not that I do it often but I don't want to have to worry that when I need to, I'm chewing up 25% of my monthly bandwidth allowance. We're in an audio/video industry, I don't need to do much video streaming but audio all day long from multiple employees isn't uncommon. I use a hosted CRM solution as well which is RIDICULOUSLY SLOW right now. I'd like to move to hosted Exchange but the T-1 is just TOO SLOW. I don't think there is a solution right now short of moving, but I really appreciate all the help.

reply to aqwqwq
I dunno... I'd try about anything if I didn't have to invest a major amount of $$ (or could return the gear if it doesn't work).

I've used some outdoor Engenius gear to get pretty long range and thru many feet of concrete, but nothing close to a mile (especially with lots of wood in between), but I'm not all that knowledgeable about this kind of extreme wireless.