Rocket 2.0 USB Modem and Prepaid Data Coverage

[kc27]

Hello All

I have a T-Mobile Rocket 2.0 4G USB Laptop Stick that I use with a Cradlepoint Travel Router CTR-500. Looking at the T-Mobile data coverage map, it looks like I should have a solid signal on I-80 from Indiana all the way through to the Cleveland, Ohio area.

My experience has been, however, that there are large stretches where I don't get any data, or very slow data as I travel on I-80 through Indiana and Ohio until I get into the Cleveland area. Am I expecting too much from the Rocket USB stick as I drive down the highway at 70 mph? I've got the router and usb stick positioned right next to a window, if that matters.

Thanks in advance for any ideas on this.

[Jim52]

I would think the Rocket data speeds would be similar to my 4G prepaid phone so I guess it depends on what you consider to be slow data since a lot of the time it looks like you will be on 2G on I-80.

Just a word of warning to people looking at the TMO data coverage map. You need to zoom in a lot before you will start seeing holes and getting a more true picture of the data coverage. You have to zoom in enough to where it splits out their data coverage into 4G signal strengths, 3G and 2G, Roaming Partner and None. You will usually find that you don't have to go too far from a large city before you have 2G data speeds or even no data.

Personally, I think the TMO coverage map is very misleading since it looks like they try to make you think they have a lot bigger 4G data coverage then what they really do. You shouldn't have to zoom in until you see minor streets before you get an accurate picture of what to expect with data speeds.

[kc27]

Just getting back to this thread to say that Jim52's advice was good - zooming in on the map showed a lot of holes in coverage along this route. Thanks for the suggestion.

[vmobi]

Just getting back to this thread to say that Jim52's advice was good - zooming in on the map showed a lot of holes in coverage along this route. Thanks for the suggestion.

True, but the speeds are fantastic where there is coverage.