I apologize if this ends up in the wrong section but I didn't feel it appropriate to place it in a mobile internet category as my only choices were for devices currently offered by T-Mobile.
I have a somewhat unique situation that requires a hotspot for vehicle expeditions through extremely remote areas (as in, break down - serious trouble/dead if you can't reach someone). I've noticed a lot of these areas have zero cell signal on phones of any network, but more often than not, a wireless hot spot (belong to friend on VZ) paired with a large external antenna, was golden. I also have a lot of experience with VZ, Jetpacks, and omni directional (even directional in practically dead zones) antennas and set up about 50 of them across the state of Colorado with huge success. That said, I think this is the perfect solution for me if the right hardware exists.
Anyway, I'm not too thrilled with the offering$ from this carrier, and would like to purchase my own hot spot for my adventures. Sadly, the two devices I see offered from T-Mobile currently do not allow for external antennas. Can anyone recommend a compatible device for T-Mobile that will accept an external antenna? (boosters are not an option)
Second part of this more related to plans - I know the ZTE MF61 is supported and can accept an external antenna, but is not listed as supporting LTE. That's okay, as sending out a couple "helps" or reading the news / listening to some music in the middle of no where doesn't need to be lightning fast, but how does that affect a plan, say a 3GB of 4G-LTE data/month - if at all? Like, if I use the non-LTE ZTE MF61 on a 4G LTE plan, will I be limited to the 2g speeds?
And lastly, having your data unaffected by streaming Pandora or Spotify is a huge bonus to all of this, but can that be done on a mobile internet plan via a hot spot, with an iPhone or other device connected to it? Does T-Mobile somehow distinguish the internet traffic coming from a phone, connected via wifi to a hot spot, and understand that so and so's phone was listening to Pandora?
To anyone who can answer any of these questions, offer any suggestions, or point me in the right direction - thank you! I had a pretty dismal time broken down at 13,500ft by myself last week and the device I'm seeking would have not only allowed for a much easier rescue, but some good relaxation music to boot.