Straight Talk Introduces Home Internet Plan on Verizon Network – Unlimited Data for $45/mo

**PaulCrawhorne** · 09-10-2023, 09:24 PM

Unless you are on Standalone (5G SA) which is unlikely

your 5G gets concurrently combined "piggybacked" off LTE

**TacoDan** · 09-15-2023, 07:36 PM

So I've had this going for almost a week now and I'm running 20 devices on it and I'm still hitting 80 - 100 mbps on my speed tests

Looks like its going to be my Spectrum replacement

**advcomp2019** · 09-15-2023, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by TacoDan

So I've had this going for almost a week now and I'm running 20 devices on it and I'm still hitting 80 - 100 mbps on my speed tests

Looks like its going to be my Spectrum replacement

I replaced my CenturyLink ADSL2+ connection which was only 12Mbps/.7Mbps.

**zapjb** · 09-15-2023, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by TacoDan

So I've had this going for almost a week now and I'm running 20 devices on it and I'm still hitting 80 - 100 mbps on my speed tests

Looks like its going to be my Spectrum replacement

Again I really like mine.

**robbyrobby** · 09-15-2023, 08:23 PM

i helped a friend set one up at a temp. office space and its working really well for them. before they were using a shared Comcast business connection that was nearly useless everyday after 4pm. i believe was just major congestion on Comcast backhaul in the area when people get home from work(its in an heavily residential area without lots of Apartments)

pleasantly surprised that even though it a crowded urban area speeds are consistently around 100 - 140 MBPS

i was also rather surprised the office address came up as eligible for signup, was not expecting a commercially zoned address to qualify.

**loboheeler** · 10-04-2023, 12:05 AM

I have the very similar Verizon modem, and noticed it uses a fair amount of electricity. Rated 2 amps @ 12VDC, which is enough to keep it fairly warm on the top side ventilation holes. Thinking of installing a switch to turn it off at night, but was concerned about too many off/on cycles damaging it. It takes about 2 minutes to start up.

**TacoDan** · 10-04-2023, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by loboheeler

I have the very similar Verizon modem, and noticed it uses a fair amount of electricity. Rated 2 amps @ 12VDC, which is enough to keep it fairly warm on the top side ventilation holes. Thinking of installing a switch to turn it off at night, but was concerned about too many off/on cycles damaging it. It takes about 2 minutes to start up.

Take the outside cover off maybe will help it run cooler

https://www.waveform.com/a/b/guides/...on-arc-xci55ax

**Jim1348** · 10-04-2023, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by loboheeler

I have the very similar Verizon modem, and noticed it uses a fair amount of electricity. Rated 2 amps @ 12VDC, which is enough to keep it fairly warm on the top side ventilation holes. Thinking of installing a switch to turn it off at night, but was concerned about too many off/on cycles damaging it. It takes about 2 minutes to start up.

When I had a T-Mobile Home Internet device, I would place it on a fan that was designed to keep it a bit cooler.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

**advcomp2019** · 10-04-2023, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by loboheeler

I have the very similar Verizon modem, and noticed it uses a fair amount of electricity. Rated 2 amps @ 12VDC, which is enough to keep it fairly warm on the top side ventilation holes. Thinking of installing a switch to turn it off at night, but was concerned about too many off/on cycles damaging it. It takes about 2 minutes to start up.

Which cube did you get with Verizon?

They have two cubes, ASK and ARC cubes. The ASK cubes does not have a fan in them. While the ARC cube have a fan built into it.

**loboheeler** · 10-04-2023, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by advcomp2019

Which cube did you get with Verizon?

They have two cubes, ASK and ARC cubes. The ASK cubes does not have a fan in them. While the ARC cube have a fan built into it.

It's an ASK modem without fan. Aside from the heat, I am concerned with the electric draw from the power supply. Cost issue. It is labeled 0.8 amps @ 120 VAC, which is 96 watts. That is maybe double my average electric draw otherwise.

**advcomp2019** · 10-04-2023, 09:42 PM

The ARC cube is not any better per the label. It says 105-125V 1.2Ah, but the DC specs says 12V 3.5A.

I would need to get a meter to test it for the true power numbers.

**loboheeler** · 10-05-2023, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by advcomp2019

The ARC cube is not any better per the label. It says 105-125V 1.2Ah, but the DC specs says 12V 3.5A.

Those power draw numbers for the ARC look right for a device that has an added fan over the ASK. Which type is Straight Talk using?

Nobody has answered my question if consistently turning the device on/off is harmful. I doubt anybody knows.

**advcomp2019** · 10-05-2023, 10:35 AM

Straight Talk has the ARC cube, and not the ASK cube.

It should be OK to power up and down the device if you need too.

When I was looking for a good spot for my ARC cube, I was doing that a number of time till I went with a 25 foot extension cord to try to look for a place for it.

**rpz1** · 10-05-2023, 11:34 AM

Must the device be plugged in all the time, or recommended that just while the battery is charging (assuming it has a battery)?

If you let most wireless device (phone or Wifi device) plugged in while using allot they get hot or warmer then a usual charge.

If it must remain plugged in, the cube has less compact circuits then a phone has and the heat up likely has no detrimental affect. I wouldn't worry about it unless it's in an already hot room or a sunny spot.