Emergency LTE data on Verizon?

[ever0095]

I’ve been searching for this over the last couple years with no luck. The goal: backup access to LTE data on the Verizon network (or possibly AT&T), used very infrequently (once every few months).

Example: I’m heading to the Black Hills National Forest in June, will be there for a week. My cell (on TMO) is unlikely to get service, but Verizon’s reported to work well.

I’d love to throw a Verizon Jetpack in my glove box, activate it when needed, refill data when needed, and not worry about topping it up all the time or paying $40/month for something I rarely use. I’ve found options that are close to what I want via MVNOs on the Sprint and Tmobile networks, but those would rarely cover the rural areas where I’d need backup LTE.

If there was a prepaid card for $100 with 2 GB of data that didn’t expire, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. What’s my best option?

 

[hang-the-9]

Go to Verizon's site and check what they have. They do have a pre-paid options but I don't think that covers tethering or data cards.

 

[ever0095]

I've found options outside of verizon (e.g. tracfone) that are closer to my target. Looking for the best option out there, and it isn't through verizon directly.

I've seen recommendations for a QVC or HSN bundle, e.g. 1500 mb would last 1 year on a J3 luna pro. That might solve my problem if I could tether to it somehow. I assume I cannot just take that sim and pop it into a Jetpack.

 

[hang-the-9]

I don't know of any budget carrier that has support for tethering or using their service in a cell modem. You can use some apps to get tethering over USB to work on those phones, but I never tried it and it is against their terms of service.