Hi speed internet

[mwinter]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here. Just starting my research. I want to be a full-time Rver. I need to stay connected to the Internet wherever I am. Is it possible to get a sattelite connection where I get high-speed all the time wherever I am? Has anybody done this? I'm concered that a cell-phone type connection is going to be too slow and expensive, because I'm online all the time.

Thanks,

Myra

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by mwinter

Just starting my research. Is it possible? ...Myra

yes.
start here.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/search.php
2air'

[Airstream25]

Myra,
This is a popular subject and there has already been much discussion about Satellite/WiFi/Cell Phone options. Please search the Forums archives, especially;
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f451/

Originally Posted by mwinter

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here. Just starting my research. I want to be a full-time Rver. I need to stay connected to the Internet wherever I am. Is it possible to get a sattelite connection where I get high-speed all the time wherever I am? Has anybody done this? I'm concered that a cell-phone type connection is going to be too slow and expensive, because I'm online all the time.

Thanks,

Myra

[n2916s]

Hi Myra,

Welcome to the forum. If you do a search for internet, you will be rewarded with lots of results.

In a nutshell internet on the road goes like this:

Most expensive: Dedicated satellite two way -- offered through Hughes as well as others. Expensive equipment, relatively high monthly fees and a relatively large antenna that needs to have a clear view of the southern sky.. Pretty good data speeds. Can be a pain to set up.

Middle of the road: data card for your laptop and service through one of the wireless carriers (Verizon, Sprint...). Relatively inexpensive hardware, unlimited access fees run less than a hundred bucks a month. In my experience about as fast as DSL, slower than cable modem. Main drawback is that you don't always have coverage (especially in the boonies) but this problem is slowly ameliorating as the cell providers continue to grow their networks. This is what I have and it has worked out fine for me -- on a 6 month road trip last year I had about 7 total days without ready access available.

Cheap is a wirless enabled laptop. There are lots of wireless sites out there and more going on line every day. Many campgrounds have wireless access (for a fee ranging from modest to ridiculous), many public libraries (mostly free), coffee shops/retailers (Panera Bread always has free access).

Again, welcome aboard,

Mike

[moosetags]

We use Alltel's cell phone data link. The speed is broadband, and it costs $25.00 per month for unlimited use. We looked into direct satalite link. It cost $60/mo and required set up. The cell phone thing works great and you can use it on the go.

[mwinter]

Originally Posted by n2916s

Hi Myra,

Welcome to the forum. If you do a search for internet, you will be rewarded with lots of results.

In a nutshell internet on the road goes like this:

Most expensive: Dedicated satellite two way -- offered through Hughes as well as others. Expensive equipment, relatively high monthly fees and a relatively large antenna that needs to have a clear view of the southern sky.. Pretty good data speeds. Can be a pain to set up.

Middle of the road: data card for your laptop and service through one of the wireless carriers (Verizon, Sprint...). Relatively inexpensive hardware, unlimited access fees run less than a hundred bucks a month. In my experience about as fast as DSL, slower than cable modem. Main drawback is that you don't always have coverage (especially in the boonies) but this problem is slowly ameliorating as the cell providers continue to grow their networks. This is what I have and it has worked out fine for me -- on a 6 month road trip last year I had about 7 total days without ready access available.

Cheap is a wirless enabled laptop. There are lots of wireless sites out there and more going on line every day. Many campgrounds have wireless access (for a fee ranging from modest to ridiculous), many public libraries (mostly free), coffee shops/retailers (Panera Bread always has free access).

Again, welcome aboard,

Mike

Cool. That's all the info I need on Internet connections for now.

Thanks,

M.W.

[Pick]

Most of the EVDO/1XRTT "air cards" now have roaming available on them. For example, Alltel cards will roam onto Sprint's and Verizon's systems. So check all 3 carriers and see if their combined coverage will suit your needs.

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by Pick

Most of the EVDO/1XRTT "air cards" now have roaming available on them. For example, Alltel cards will roam onto Sprint's and Verizon's systems. So check all 3 carriers and see if their combined coverage will suit your needs.

Thanks, Pick! I'll check into that. I've been testing out a Verizon EV-DO card over the past few days for law enforcement applications, and found it automatically (and very frequently) drops back to 1xRTT when Verizon broadband isn't available. Apparently, Verizon is such a major player in Delaware that the state has an exclusive "agreement" with them. Of course, in the interest of public and officer safety, I've been known to play one service against the other and deviate from contracts to accomplish a goal. Anyway, I'm retiring in 3 months.

[thecatsandi]

Myra,
I would not bother with sattelite. I use a EVDO card from verizon. They are my cell provider. Most of the major had thier own wireless card and plans. I also have a D-link mobile router. It converts the EVDO wireless to Wi-Fi wireless. They take a little work to set up but are fine once done. Works anywhere I can get Cell service.

[mwinter]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Myra,
I would not bother with sattelite. I use a EVDO card from verizon. They are my cell provider. Most of the major had thier own wireless card and plans. I also have a D-link mobile router. It converts the EVDO wireless to Wi-Fi wireless. They take a little work to set up but are fine once done. Works anywhere I can get Cell service.

Michelle,
Thanks. More important, right now I need to consider a trailer first.
Myra

[Pick]

I have a Sprint card, and it roams over to Alltel. Works almost as good as my DSL at home.

[cosmotini]

I went to a Verizon store recently to have a phone repaired. While there, I asked whether any of their cell phones would also work as an EVDO modem for a laptop. They had a few that they said would work. The advantage of this is the EVDO service can be activated/deactivated on a month by month basis. The monthly price is the same as the dedicated card but you don't have to commit for 2 yrs to the service.