WiFi - to - LTE hotspot

[striperseeker]

Has anyone installed a Cell hotspot into there RAM? I'm looking at the Netgear M1 or 790S. Anyone have any experience with these or recommendations for other units?
I have T-Mobile and can get a decent deal on a non-phone SIM with 10GB per month add-on for like $5 a month.
TIA

 

[vincentw56]

I have an old cell phone that I use as a hotspot.

 

[Darksteel165]

What reason would you need a hotspot for in your truck?

 

[striperseeker]

What reason would you need a hotspot for in your truck?

Several. My dashcam can provide realtime notifications when in parking mode; the grandkids and passengers can surf and go online without having phones or tethering to them. My OBDII plug can send realtime telemetry to my log book.

 

[striperseeker]

I have an old cell phone that I use as a hotspot.

The issue I see with that is you have to pay for a voice plan as well as a data plan. Almost double what I would be paying for data only

 

[vincentw56]

The issue I see with that is you have to pay for a voice plan as well as a data plan. Almost double what I would be paying for data only

Yeah, I looked at the Netgear and that would be an option if I could get a good deal on it.

 

[Darksteel165]

The issue I see with that is you have to pay for a voice plan as well as a data plan. Almost double what I would be paying for data only

You 100% can use a data only sim in a cell phone, at least for Android.

But if you are looking to leave it running 24/7? a hotspot might be a better choice, maybe one that is powered via USB so it runs for the 1-4 hours before the truck turns the ports off.

I am a fan of Cradle point as I installed several in the past for my job in busses and vans which required always on internet connections for various devices.
I'm not sure if they are in your price range though. They are essentially an portable firewall which you can use a sim card with and broadcast wifi with great quality.
You can install them in your engine compartment and wire it into a fuse and the antennas should have no problem reaching inside. Or you can install it somewhere inside too.

Home | Wireless WAN & Private Cellular Solutions | Cradlepoint

Wireless WAN and private cellular solutions use 5G and LTE to enable the freedom to connect your enterprise — anywhere.

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Looks like you can get them pretty cheap used off ebay too.