Which Jetpack is Best? Understanding LTE Modem Specs

In this video, we go over the modem specifications that make the most impact in the performance and coverage you'll get with an LTE Modem - including those in Jetpacks, hotspots, smartphones, tablets, and routers.
We explain LTE Categories, frequency bands, carrier aggregation, and MIMO antennas.
It wraps up with a real-world performance comparison between Cat 3, 9, and 18 hotspots to show the difference.
For the full story:
www.rvmobileinternet.com/lte-m...
#hotspot #hotspotdata #besthotspot #jetpack #datasharing #cellularhotspot
0:00 - Intro
1:05 - Cellular Modems Overview
2:07 - LTE Modem Category
4:03 - Frequency Bands
6:15 - Carrier Aggregation
7:29 - MIMO Antennas
9:29 - Hotspot Device Performance
13:52 - Thoughts and Recommendations
16:07 - Guide: www.rvmobileinternet.com/lte-modems
16:20 - Member Supported Content
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The Mobile Internet Resource Center is dedicated to helping mobile travelers (RVers, cruisers, nomads, etc.) keep connected!
Join us over at: www.mobileinternetinfo.com
We are primarily funded by our premium members, who allow us to make this our focus! Interested in helping keep us funded to continue creating content like this and more? Consider becoming a member at: www.mobileinternetinfo.com/mem...
Our members get a bunch of extra access to our Q&A forums, in-depth guides, product reviews, insider tips, and webinars.

[@vernasweet4891]

I just called Verizon the other day and said I live in a huge house with a metal roof out in the forest. He sent me the smallest jetpack you show there. I would have gladly paid for the higher end one. I still have a couple of days left to return it. This video is very valuable. Thank you so much for taking the time to do the video and I will be checking out your website. We have Centurylink DSL. I did a speed test the other day and the download wasn't even up to 1. :-( I'm just looking for other options as cable is not out here and most likely will not be. Again thank you.

[@janekiceniuk1578]

I too went to the Verizon store and walked out with that small one, I only paid $5.00. It's not worth taking it back & paying the 'restocking fee'. But we will check out some better ones.

[@sykesc2]

I can't thank you enough for all the information you have provided on hotspots! We were at a rally in the fall and couldn't get online with our hotspot or our phones. (We didn't even have enough signal to make a phone call.) We just thought we were in a dead spot because of the mountains until another camper said they were able to get on without problems. The info in your videos and guides lead us to upgrade from our 6620L to an 8800L with utterly amazing results!! We have been extremely pleased in both urban, congested areas and remote rural areas. We are getting very good at window searching (we have an Airstream) to find the best spot and then we are off and running. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into explaining the different options and testing the different pieces of technology!

[@Visigoth_]

DAMN I like you people! Thank you for not being shills that are just trying to sell something. Thank you for breaking down the information so that we can make better informed decisions to figure out what might work best for us. Much love

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Thank you! We're grateful to our premium members who make it possible for us to provide this style of content.

[@truehope287]

You two did an absolutely amazing job of explaining this!!! Love how you went "old school" to explain the new! That really helped me! Love how you took turns teaching! BRAVO!

[@goodnews-withpastorgene3668]

fantastic video! I've been looking at DOZENS of videos, trying to find this exact info, presented in this straight forward way! Kudos! I'm a new subscriber for sure!

[@GForceFitness1]

This is THE best explanation on the subject I've seen. It finally makes sense to me. Thank you so much!

[@nickj4526]

Great video guys. Very informative. The best jetpack video on KZbin by far.

[@billywalton87]

this is the most informative video i have ever seen on anything on youtube. Absolutely incredible! Thank you guys so much!

[@akelfish]

Thank you for all your advice. I love all your educational videos.

[@debinvenice]

I've been rockin' my 6620L since early 2016. I thought I was happy (it has worked well for me) but you have convinced me to upgrade. Thanks for the detailed explanation.

[@mynameisprivate158]

It only matters if the tower you are trying to connect to is using the other frequencies and if it is going to give you the higher speeds and not throttle the max speed you get even though your router is capable of faster speeds!! For example I am currently using a device that is capable of 150MPS and the max speed I am getting is 25 MPS from my current tower which is a speed even the oldest cat 3 hotspot can receive!! Unless they do a couple hundred speed tests over varying times their test iis meaningless as I can do 5 speed tests back to back on the same device and get huge differences in just a few seconds!

[@tylerburrows3803]

uuuuuuuuu I just I I I I uuuuuuuuuuuuu buy

[@melissakadorianazarva2720]

Love the pop-up graphics in this video. Really informative for someone like me who learns best with visual examples.

[@claudiagarone9535]

Love your channel, so helpful and it really assisted me with my choice of jetpacks. Who knew about LTE levels was going to choice the 3 and now getting the 18. You both are amazing and I will always watch!!!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Excellent info, because of your video I purchased the 8800L and am your latest new subscriber. Will be doing a 6 week cross country trip and have to be uploading to you tube atleast 1 video a day. Very well done

[@jeffknighton3386]

TampaAerialMedia hello my wife and I are full timer RVers have you bought the 8800L yet and if you have how’s it working

[@mcampellone]

This was excellent, invaluable information! Thank you for posting it - I subscribed now, and am looking forward to your future videos!

[@decastring]

You guys are absolute troopers! Despite being exhausted, you still put out great content. Thank you for all you do!

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We actually released this to members exclusively a month ago... before the exhaustion kicked in :)

[@SOS-dr2oo]

All the info was helpful, but the point about the RV specific units (i.e. Winegard) was eye opening. "Future-proof" is a good phrase to have in the back of my head while shopping. Thank you.

[@97bophack]

GREAT video!!! Loved all the info. Definitely learned somethings I didn’t know.

[@jasleav3968]

You guys are amazing..I love your channel..I greatly appreciate all you have taught me!!

[@MrRemaxAgent]

The most informative video I’ve ever seen. Easy to understand. Very organized. Do you guys have an updated review for 2020?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Nothing has reallly changed to update.

[@robertpope769]

Super informative and helpful, thanks for this video!

[@gbryant261]

Thanks so much. I have an Elypsis presently and although in general it has worked well, I know I will need better now that I am full time RV’g. Your video certainly helped me better understand what is going on when I stream.

[@carolbrucecollett]

Great info. Thank you for explaining it in such an easy to understand way.

[@Brainiarc7]

Awesome and educational, keep up the good work!

[@edgeorge5889]

Very informative and well done video! TYVM 💪

[@betweentherumblestripswith8653]

Thanks for all your info on the 8800l. I went to two Verizon stores in central Washington, one in Oregon and my persistence paid off when I got to southern Arizona. I finally found a Verizon store that would help me get set up with an account and setup my 8800l. Most didn't know about the 8800l and wanted to charge over the $65 for the prepaid unlimited plan. On quote was over $80. I really like the jetpack I got. The performance is great.

[@teresameyer4574]

Appreciate the simple explanation of what seems like an overwhelming subject. Thnx

[@ytrbro1041]

awesome vid. very straight forward, the comparison between the old and new tech is a big difference.

[@taylor3d]

I want to thank you so much for this video and that I appreciate what you guys do. I was looking for a video this morning looking for a video doing a side by side of different Verizon hotspots but couldn't find one and then later in the day this popped up. Thanks 😀

[@justsomefather2739]

That's crazy. Living nyc i see 15 to 20 down on my ellipsis. I can't even picture what 8800L can accomplish. As a persons being grandfathered regarding the former Verzion prepaid deal you guys have me excited on making that switch. My ellipsis,he needs to rest now. He has served me very well.

[@lfree2bgr8agn97]

I have AT&T I had a grandfather plan not holding up to their bargain with poor cell coverage. They act like they don’t even have or had any such devices. So how did u keep your unlimited All on your account? Did the give you a booster device or or have to pay? And to keep your plan ??

[@diansdesigns7759]

Sweet.... Thank you so much for this info.... Very helpful.

[@MRDAN-wv3om]

You are a wealth of information. I am so glad I found your channel. Very well done. This information has helped me a lot. Thanks

[@blaisesprowl8276]

GREAT VIDEO GUYS!! Thank you for this valuable information. Much appreciated.

[@leyvaj]

Great work! I love your educational videos. Keep it up

[@nonaedelson9304]

This video was extremely helpful! I'm at the complete novice end of the spectrum and now I fee like I know enough to make an educated purchase. Thank you so much for demystifying this process for me!

[@Sqwejly]

It doesn't get better than this!JUST AMAZING video.i subscribed and I so happy I found your channel guys.thank you thank you thank you!

[@cwolfe92887]

Excellent presentation, highly informative, thank you.

[@oilpatch432]

Thank you guys for this info. Very helpful!

[@johnothy]

This was a great video with a lot of useful information!

[@vos6136]

Thank you, I'm just getting started.

[@lolaapelt8616]

Thank You for this breakdown. Very informative!

[@bsgkris]

finally very very good informative and honest suggestions. very nice. well done!!!

[@alanlehman6421]

Thanks. That was super helpful in making my selection.

[@JoyKnowles]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@getoutofthekitchen]

Very helpful information! Thanks for all of the detail. Just enough geek-speak to make an informed decision.

[@slimbeaux]

Thanks Folks. You are such good source. Love It!!

[@davidleathers5837]

Thank you soo much for your video!! I am a total newbie and know very little about this. Great help!! Cheers!!

[@cliftontibbits6644]

Great channel and reviews are clear as day anybody who doesn't understand tech lingo can understand with no problem...great job you two...I just subscribed, thank you for your time and keep doing what you do....this is a trust worthy site to any one new and worth subscribing to...take care be safe and may your needs be met when needed....

[@iozetenc]

that was a great explanation. thanks guys!

[@jms60]

Thank you guys i am going full time in sept this helps alot be safe

[@Deeishere3]

Thanks guys. This video is Godsent. I like how you did a basic understanding. It has helped me in my search.

[@Darkmage4]

I live out in the rural area where getting normal internet is not an option. I have a choice between, Hughes net, and multiple other crappy satellite internet, been looking for a year, and found that Verizon's Mifi works really well! I have the best one they have the 8800L Jetpack and it exceeds far better than I expected, paired with their Pay as you go 70 dollar Unlimited plan, and it works amazingly since I do upload youtube videos, streaming is a bit iffy when playing a game and sending it to youtube, but it's far better than what I expected it to be. I have a Cricket phone, that gets less speed and this is an ATT area, which is interesting. While I get nearly 50-60 in home, and in town I get nearly 100 download on LTE, once 5G comes in, I'll be so happy.

[@Jake_Moreno]

Thanks for this very informative video. You information made all the difference with a would have been Jetpack purchase.

[@67vortiz]

Thanks for the information I am grateful to you both, I have gained useful knowledge.

[@DesignerAviaries]

Yep, the Verizon store clerk brought out the $50 low end device while asserting TOUCH SCREEN was the advantage of the more costly device. Her training must have consisted of a five minute chat over coffee. Of course I knew there was more to learn.

[@dannyc6364]

My mom was pretty much told the exact same things. She moved out to BFE and that crappy little jetpack was the only internet source. I knew there had to be better devices. Hell, the netgear nighthawk m1 had been out over a year by then and there was an AT&T store right next door to the verizon store.

[@julienfeliciano9302]

Thanks for all the information, simple and well put together video. Hopefully more people can see this and make an information decision about what to buy.

[@gagangujral8258]

Excellent review. Thank you

[@goprenow]

Great info!! Thank you.

[@XsyntrikNomad]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[@gerardsaintlouis1445]

Based on this video, I upgraded from the ellipsis jetpack to the MiFi 8800L (Though I kept the ellipsis also. I just added another line). The difference? 65mps with the ellipsis compared to 433mps with the MiFi 8800L. Thanks!!!

[@AngelGutierrez-cx5zz]

Jetpack ELLIPSIS was about $199.99 awesome top pick, and for the Prepaid Sim Kit its only 25% of the Verizon Wireless Home Fios. The only available offer device was the Verizon Wifi, or TWC Spectrum 30 minutes Trial, but my favorite is the "LENOVO STICKR"..

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

The Ellipsis was a very entry level LTE mobile hotspot device, and typically priced under $100. It's no longer offered by Verizon direct, to the best of our knowledge.

[@tomymas38]

Nice videos! You have a new subscriber.

[@delenegillen539]

Wish I had watched this before I bought my hotspot. Thanks for this information.

[@poobocahalan]

I learn so much from you guys!!!

[@dandubay7662]

Thanks For the Info, Great videos for the layman...Safe Travels...

[@rkw221]

wonderful synopsis of mobile broadband options for travelers.

[@ibcontent]

Youse guys are awesome.... thanks again.

[@GrosTabarnak]

This is so informative. Thank you so much for the information. :-)

[@RoamingRavenRV]

Yippy skippy lol I finally understood it. I dont geek well :-) thanks!!

[@useruseruser1111]

Thanks for the video!!

[@twinturbo5212]

Excellent video thank you

[@hendowg713]

Wow learn something new today, thanks

[@MFimian]

I found it amazing that you were considering the 8800L as a "flagship" option. Just yesterday I pulled it off my system and was wondering how much I could get for it on Craigslist... I bought the device about six weeks after it came out and have been using it for the last 13 months or so. Since then, I've traveled from Boston to Naples, across the central US, to Denver and then through Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas and currently New Mexico. All of the places I've stopped at I've used the Open Signal app to identify the strongest nearby tower(s), climbed to the top of the rig and adjusted an omnidirectional antenna, and then dickered with the reception on my desktop. The best speed I've been able to obtain on the PC using Speedtest is always less than 0.7 Mbps for both upload and download -- and that's with a 400.00 WeBoost signal booster (thus, the antenna). One of the issues I've had with the 8800L is that I/ve never been able to tell what speeds it's actually capturing. The MyJetpack software shows only two arrows -- one up and one down, moving across the top of the screen; not very informative at best... (How did you get your values for the three modems toward the end of the video? I'd like to try them out!) After setting the modem aside, I swapped it out for my iPhone, to which I downloaded Speedtest. I was amazed to find that, with the booster, I was getting speeds of 40/50 Mbps, down and up. Still, there must be something that I'm missing. Using a USB Realtek Wireless Lan attached to the desktop, I'm still realizing less than a Mbps when tested on the PC. Should you or anyone in the community have some suggestions, I'd love to hear them...

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

That’s odd. We get awesome speeds with ours all over the place. Either you have a throttled data plan, or a broken unit.

[@dannyc6364]

Yeah its likely a throttled data plan. A lot of them drop to 100-600 Kbps once the soft cap is passed. I know our hotspot was all but completely worthless once we were throttled. Instead of saying that once you pass a certain amount of data "your speeds will be complete garbage" or "you'll think you are back on dial up in 1995" they tell you their plan offers "unlimited data." Which is technically true, in the same way that a vacation on a landfill will be "breathtaking."

[@greenempire848]

watching in 2020 this definitely helps to make an informed decision especially now that they're rolling out 5G. Thank you!

[@gregfagan38]

I was searching for info on the best jetpack for Verizon. Thank you.

[@MS-ns9uo]

Great info - thank you!

[@colinsphoneemail]

you people know your stuff.. excellent content

[@Teri728]

Great info. Thanks!!

[@MKB0720]

Best video, thanks so very much!!!

[@spanchagn]

Thank you, great information

[@gerardsaintlouis1445]

Great, really fantastic video! I recentlypurchased the Oculus Quest 2. I do not currently have home wifi. My service provider is Verizon, so I got the Ellipse jetpack- category 3- not understanding the degree of difference. Now, Virtual Reality headsets need high wifi speed for maximum performance. So, I will get the-I believe it is-8800. The flagship. Money really is no object when it comes to... electronic devices costing less than a thousand dollars to me. I was just being cheap, but that was only because I did not realize the huge differences between hotspots. And I do get buffering on 360 or 4k and above videos. And the resolution leaves something to be desired, which I can directly attribute to wifi speeds as I previously had home internet to compare it to. So, now I will go back to Verizon and get the 8800 flagship! But I will keep the ellipse as well. It is okay to download games, just not so much streaming. And I need more than 30 gigs anyway. But a really informative video-I watch many tutorials- and very helpful. Thank you, and how about a tutorial on the Samsung Note 20 Ultra? I have one and trying to learn to utilize its many functions.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Glad the video was helpful. We are focused on mobile internet however, and don't cover consumer smartphones.

[@imaginarycanary9956]

Thank you for the helpful video

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for the update ( my current LTE is rooftop 10 yrs old)

[@tubearoundhere]

Great job...thanks!

[@jjacksonjr2]

Great video!!! Thank you both. I wish that I would have watched this video BEFORE i purchased the ellipsis. Now if I can figure out a way to use this WITHOUT paying verizon that would be great

[@MrSkyDivine]

great video, just picked up a 8800L

[@galvanw]

Thank you for all your great FREE information!! Whoever gave this video a thumbs down is so ungrateful! Signed ~MIA

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Thanks for supporting us so that we can release some content to the public!

[@angiebutcher4068]

your videos are very informative - i am very new to learning about hotspots. Will you be doing AT&T? Thank you!

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

This video applies to AT&T as well. We just use Verizon hotspots as an example,

[@patti3566]

@@MobileInternetResourceCenter How does one go about finding out what category their hotspot falls under?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We track the information in our hotspot gear center - our LTE modem guide mentioned in this video will take you there - www.rvmobileinternet.com/lte-modems

[@patti3566]

Mobile Internet Resource Center Thank you.

[@jeanw2195]

Mobile Internet Resource Center .

[@simmyqux]

Thank you very much for this. I had a Verizon Ellipsis and it got horrible reception when people with a Verizon phone right next to me had 4 bars. Now I know why.

[@regcrowder9010]

Thank you for this 👍

[@DynoSauR4Truth]

I have a lake home that is on the other end of town from the nearest cellular towers. So I need the best reception I can get and external antennas would probably help in the window. I am currently looking for my best option. Verizon @ $65 or AT&T through Netbuddy at $60 which I think is tax included. Do you have an AT&T hotspot shootout like this one?

[@davidclein]

Thank you for this video

[@davidreyburn5548]

Good stuff thanks!!

[@sunbtanman7354]

Thank you for your videos very informative. We just purchased a new DP motorhome. I plan on setting it up to go over the road a couple months out of the year not completely full time. So we'd like to have are Wi-Fi working the best that we can get it today. Definitely will be picking up Verizon's hotspot 8800. We were also looking at the weboost Drive 4gx RV antenna. Your Videos suggest Netgear mimo is just as good for $27 on Amazon. Went to get it out of stock but now it's back $150 plus shipping. Do I really need an external antenna if I have the Hotspot 8800. Just plan on streaming movies surfing the net and good cell phone coverage. appreciate your help. We will be becoming members shortly. Thank you Bob & Michelle NJ

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

It's hard to say what you 'need'. Cellular boosters and MIMO antennas both have their place in a mobile internet setup. Here's our full guide to that: www.rvmobileinternet.com/cellularsignal

[@Smokeyham]

Try this source for your Netgear Mimo antenna. I believe it was Chris and Cherie who posted this source awhile back. www.macmall.com/p/NETGEAR-Wireless-Networking/product~dpno~40686168~pdp.bccdgjag?src=search&fbclid=IwAR15w3Kpoohf3PAnjFbm1xg09GJ7iVTfKEflSYkSdCyKq9_0DmVpoTmVabA&cjevent=6ce9cee32e0c11e9817c02c60a1c0e0e

[@dtjamslive8082]

Great video & info. Do you know where I can purchase the 8800 out right. Verizon in my area says their out?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Keep trying Verizon stores, or try online.

[@perecarl12]

You guys are the best! I just ordered an 8800L to replace my 7730 that I dropped on concrete too many times. Pretty excited. I currently use a couple of Wilson directional antennas on top of each other (straight up and down). Let me know if you think a crossed polarized configuration may work better for MIMO.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Cross polarized is recommended for Yagis.

[@sounddesignmix3002]

Any thoughts on buying a used (in new condition) 8800L? There are plenty available, with some buyer beware. Has the physical hardware changed since it was introduced or does it just need a firmware update?

[@HD-ds4lw]

Thank you very much for all the information you provided. Now i know more about the key words and how the these Jet pack work. Unluckily i ordered the Netgear 791L instead of the Novatel Inseego 8800L. If i saw your video ealier i would order the 8800L It has type-C and Cat 18. The Netgear 791L only has micro Usb and maybe Cat 6.

[@explorationsrenovations5982]

Great video and super educational. How would you say the Winegard GW-1000 Gateway 4G LTE WiFi Router compares to the higher end Verizon 8800 you talked about ?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

The Gateway is a low end Cat-4 modem.

[@sherpadelgatos]

awesome thank you!

[@juancastillo2674]

thanks for all the great information but i wanted your opinion on the new at&t connect for airstream and the new to go winegard. do you think i should just forget about bought fixed in rv system and just go with a portable flagship 8800L.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We have articles & videos on the Airstream and ToGo options as well.. they're on the resource center and easily searchable. If you're one of our premium members, feel free to start a thread in the forums and we'll be happy to help you decide what is best for you.