Checked on Satelitte a couple of years ago and what stopped me then was the cost-about $100/mo and the fact that if you are mobile you had to be trained as a tech in order to properly set it up each time. The dealer said I could work with him a few days to learn how. I believe it is because you are sending a signal to the Satelitte. Plus the system was expensive to buy. Too may problems.
Have been using the Verizon air card for several months from Florida to the Upper Penninsular in Michigan--It has never failed to work--sometimes better than others. I have no complaints whatsoever. The new cards are wireless, so you can use two computers at once on one card. It cost $60/month. There is a charge for the card--which I don't remember how much it was--but there was also a rebate.
The new cards are wireless, so you can use two computers at once on one card. It cost $60/month. There is a charge for the card--which I don't remember how much it was--but there was also a rebate.
I believe they call it the MiFi card, which is a very compact aircard combined with a wireless router. If I recall, you can connect 5 devices to it at the same time. I was tempted to go with it recently, but was concerned what impact making my laptop a hotspot may have on my 5 GB limit. Because we usually travel off the beaten path and, even though the signal is generally strong in most places, I'm not quite ready to give up my external antenna system just yet. On a recent trip to the Midwest, there wasn't any place I couldn't get a signal, but as you said, sometimes it's better than others.
I've had very good luck with my Verizon air card, especially this last year. A few years back, I couldn't even get a signal in my backyard. So I started out with an air card and an external antenna with a signal amplifier. As they have added new cell sites, I found I was using the amplifier less often, and now it's rare when I have to use the external antenna.
I'm on the "unlimited" 5 GB per month plan, don't download many files, and have never come close to using 5 GB. However, my daughter maxed her card out the first time she got it in under 10 days.
We've been using a MiFi and it has worked out great...except for in remote areas (the areas we most like to travel to!) We have learned to check Verizon's coverage map before we go to our next campsite. We just recently purchased a tripod satellite unit so we could go to the more remote areas and so far, we have had the worst luck with it. It never works when we need it to work the most. Of course, we were warned that setting it up takes a lot of practice and patience. We are still hopeful that we will figure it out (especially since the cost was so high) but it seems the MiFi has really come through for us MOST of the time. We do have a limit of 5 gb but have yet to reach the limit each month. My husband works M-F/8 hrs a day and I'm usually using the MiFi as well during that time. We just are careful to not do any videos (YouTube, Netflix, etc.). And, you can set up passwords to prevent others from using it.
I have a starband with tripod. It works anywhere in the U.S. but it is kind of a pain to set up and point and a bit expensive. I would rather have a cellular air card but I rely on internet for my business and absolutely must have it in remote areas.
There is no longer any "unlimited" aircard they are all limited at 5GB and very expensive after the 5GB.
Some folks were grandfathered in on their unlimited plan and do have unlimited but any account changes and they will go to the 5GB plan.
I just switched from ATT to Verizion and think Verison is great with a LOT more 3G coverage than ATT.
I did hear about a $99 unlimited plan from Sprint but haven't seen it advertised lately.
Many CG do have WIFI so managing where you stay and mixing up the WIFI and data card you might be able to meet you "must" have.
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