Anyone use Computers4people internet? Also Home Cellular Routers (not mobile hotspot)?

[Demani]

Computers4people.org uses the T-Mobile network. Seems like it’s been around for a bit, but no idea if it’s a legit nonprofit that is using legit gear, or just someone on the sly. Specifically I’m looking fonmy mothers house that she is only in part time, but $15/mo beats the pants off the Xfinity $60/mo plan for the 6 months she’s not there, and cellular service at her house is fine (her phone is T-Mobile as well and gets a ~50mb connection).

If it’s reputable, then I’m inclined to either get the bare sim or pay for the home router (she has a couple things hardwired, plus we have a mesh in place already). But not knowing what their router is, I’d really prefer to get my own-but I’m not even sure where to begin for a mother-safe option (for me I would probably get a Protectli with a sim slot). Or just get whatever they have and do a double NAT (keeping the existing firewall in front of her LAN) and don’t worry about it.

 

[Andrewcw]

The only difference between a Hotspot and a Home router. Is the Hotspot has a battery in it.

I used it for the same exact purpose you have at a location because I needed the cheapest monthly cost internet solution to be able to watch a camera over a property. You will be behind Carrier Grade NAT. So make sure what you need to access goes through the tunneling process to some middle man server.

Looking at the website or at least the US version. It's just a sim card they say that will work in any unlocked device.

 

[CatBus]

CGNAT is your only potential speedbump here IMO. I don't know if your mother uses VPN for anything, but some VPN solutions just plain don't work on the T-Mobile network. Worth trying, but if she runs into mystery work-connectivity problems... this is likely it. The only fixes are to either change VPN infrastructure (this may not be something she has control over), or change ISP. Xfinity has no such issues, but it's expensive, and it's Xfinity.

 

[bkaral]

The only difference between a Hotspot and a Home router. Is the Hotspot has a battery in it.

I used it for the same exact purpose you have at a location because I needed the cheapest monthly cost internet solution to be able to watch a camera over a property. You will be behind Carrier Grade NAT. So make sure what you need to access goes through the tunneling process to some middle man server.

Looking at the website or at least the US version. It's just a sim card they say that will work in any unlocked device.

Huh? What about the 4G/5G/LTE radio? Your home router has that?

 

[CatBus]

Huh? What about the 4G/5G/LTE radio? Your home router has that?

I read that statement as a response to this line in the OP:

I’m inclined to either get the bare sim or pay for the home router

Meaning, the special home router option they'd potentially get for accessing the T-Mobile network does indeed have a 4G/5G/LTE radio, otherwise it wouldn't work at all. It'd be functionally the same as the bare sim option, except the phone also has a battery in it, which can be nice in some use cases. I don't have one, but I imagine the home router comes with some gigabit ethernet ports, which I'd find useful.

 

[bkaral]

Doesn't Tailscale work within CGNAT?

 

[FranzJoseph]

Not sure if T‑Mobile or their VNOs offer that in the US (they do here in Europe), but if going for a LTE/4G/5G router, consider ones with an external antenna. A Huawei (I know) directional PoE outdoor antenna made quite a difference to an old setup with the LTE router indoors even sitting on the window sill.

 

[steelghost]

The US version of this might be worth a look - antenna and router in same enclosure: https://mikrotik.com/product/sxt_lte6_2023

 

[kperrier]

Doesn't Tailscale work within CGNAT?

Yeah, if you need remote access to her computer, the free tier of Tailscale would work just fine.

 

[w00key]

Doesn't Tailscale work within CGNAT?

Ish. If you don't want to use a slow public relay you need a way to punch a hole so others can "dial in".

Or purchase a cheap VM somewhere to act as your private relay.

 

[Demani]

She’s retired, so her main use is a few video calls and some streaming (and she does not care about video quality-SD is fine for her).

A big part of the equation is the monetary factor: half the year she isn’t there but cable company wants $60 month to keep it active. They’ll put it on hold for $10/month. But in Florida, with all the snow birds they really could offer a $15-20/month “monitoring plan” that is 3/3 for people who just want smart home notifications and camera access during hurricane season and when they are away. But that would be customer-friendly, so obviously that won’t happen.

When she is RVing she just uses her phone or tethers her laptop. But $15/month year round she still will pay half what the cable modem is for half a year. Limitations are acceptable.

 

[kperrier]

Is roaming Starlink to high of a bar? $50/month, it moves with you, $320 in equipment to start. Where is the RV when she is at "home?" It could just stay attached to the RV, plugged into house power when parked at home.