Qualcomm / Omnitracs & Personal WiFi / Cellular Device

With thanks to Rhonda for her excellent article, "What is the Qualcomm (Omnitracs)?":

The newest Omnitracs devices come with bells and whistles like voice command, smartphone pairing, and Bluetooth so that you can update trip information while not in the truck. The device can even act as a WiFi hotspot so you don’t have to rely on spotty WiFi at truck stops for your personal devices.

and this from the Omnitracs website:

Coming Soon

Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot Capability Allows for using IVG as a mobile hotspot, enabling drivers to access the internet on a mobile device.

My question is, is there any sense out there that this planned Omnitracs WiFi capability might be viable for use in place of a driver's personal cellular plan?

I have a very-underutilized grandfathered unlimited data Verizon plan which is costly in comparison with Straight Talk, for example (which uses the Verizon network). I'd hold onto the plan with anticipated future use in trucking, unless the future of WiFi in trucks is evolving in a direction to render that less compelling.

This is my first post! I thought I'd be jumping in elsewhere, in reaction to one of the innumerable wonderfully thoughtful, qualitative posts found here, but I guess today's the day, lol.

Here I say thanks to all have contributed their time and talents in support of new entrants to the industry - and each other. This is an awesome site! So glad to be here.

Welcome to the TT site, Rookie D.!

I'd hold on to your cell plan for now. I don't think we'll see a replacement in the near future.

Thank you kindly on both counts, PackRat.

Welcome Rookie D.

Yes it would be great to see some updates to the Qualcomm/Omnitracs. But as Packrat said not in the near future.

I got the jet pack from Verizon, which is supposed to be 4G but sometimes it takes forever to do some of my banking on line. But other times it is real fast. I forget how much it cost to begin with, but it's an added 20 bucks a month to my bill.

So, not bad a first post!

Raptor

Welcome to the TT site, Rookie D.!

I'd hold on to your cell plan for now. I don't think we'll see a replacement in the near future.

What I meant was hold on to your cell PHONE for now.

Change cell plan to save money if you can.

Hey, Raptor! Thanks for your remarks, and PackRat, again, too.

I've discerned from other posts here that Verizon as a carrier and unlimited data as an OTR resource are good resources, so the old grandfathered unlimited data plan I have should be kept to that eventual end.

The cost on those plans rose several years ago from 29.99/mo to a much higher level; my total monthly cost now, for the unlimited data, plus line access charge, calls & texts, taxes & fees, etc. is ~ $118./month. That's for uncapped data, no slowing, etc.; this is one of those old original plans. Just need to pay full price for a compatible phone locked to Verizon when device changes desired.

I've used an app to tether other devices (laptop) and got a Verizon MiFi but leery about putting the SIM into it and jeopardizing my plan, altho VZW was prohibited in a 2012 ruling from restricting tethering - the jetpack use forays into somewhat less clear territory regarding permitted registered devices. The RV community employs these plans with jetpacks with some impunity but so far, I've preferred to stay under the radar. VZW does reportedly shut down these old plans regularly, mostly those using in excess of 100GB/mo.

Based on what others have written here it's competitive at that price level. I just don't use that much data currently - but if OTR, this would be probably be useful, based on how writers on here describe their usage.

Anyway, that's no doubt more than anyone wanted to know about a specific plan! Seems like the Omnitracs could have great potential to serve drivers as well as companies in a more perfect world, maybe someday.