Internet access OTR

[lloyd]

What do you use for accessing the internet while travelling or full timers in your conversions?
Lloyd

[HighTechRedneck]

I use a Millenicom wireless Internet card.  $50 per month, truly unlimited bandwidth usage, no contract, uses the Sprint network,  and it connects via the USB port so I can use it directly with either my PC or laptop.  Plus, I use a 10' USB cord with it so I can move it as needed to get best signal strength.  I get 5 bars a lot of places the Verizon PCMCIA card I was using would only get one bar or less.  Average speed is about 800Kbps and during off peak hours, it usually is over 1Mbps.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Lloyd,

I use Verizon wireless air card. It has Broadban Rev-A for 59.00 month.

It seems to work everywhere I have been in the past 2 years. I can't complain....

Good Luck
Nick-

[JackConrad]

I also use the Millenicom aircard www.milleicom.com I am getting roughly the same sppeds as HighTechRedneck.  I especially like the no contract/no up front purchases, and when you call the 800 number, you talk to a real live American (in Portland, OR) Jack

[jjrbus]

I used my Sprint cell phone with Vison for years, the service is a bit slow that way, but inexpensive. I have allways been happy with Sprint and recently bought a Sprint USB aircard and Like HighTech use a 10 foot USB cable to place the unit in the most favorable position. I searched a lot and found unlimited service for $49.95 month the aircard was $199 with $250 in rebates (not a typo).
When looking for a company, it is best to study there coverage areas and see which will be most suitable for you.
Doing it over I would go with the milleicom, as I really resent the 2 year contract.

[H3Jim]

I just bought an Iphone that leaches of wireless networks and when they are not available, uses edge technology to access.  I jsut got it today, but I'll let you know how the internet part works out.  So far the phone, Ipod and features are killer.

[lloyd]

Thanks for the replies, I never even thought about using the cell phone! Is it high speed? I was thinking you would have to use a satilite dish?
Lloyd

[belfert]

Using a cell phone for Internet access only works if you have digital cell service.  If you absolutely must have Internet access you'll need to go with satellite.  Cell service is more and more universal, but it still doesn't work in all rural areas.

[H3Jim]

True, that the cell phone internet is only good as long as you have digital service, although for $20 a month for unlimited internet usage, its not a bad start.  I can browse this board using the Iphone, amazed me.

For satellite, I don't mind spending a lot of $ for the antenna / dish, but what I keep choking on is the higher monthly fees, whether or not I'm using it.  I use the bus 5 or 6 times during the winter and one big trip in the summer, the rest of the time its sitting.

[HighTechRedneck]

Except for those who spend a lot of time way out boondocking or live in a cellular dead zone (like Dr. Dave), cell type wireless Internet is good.  It doesn't require setup time and can be used while in motion and doesn't have the latency issue.  All without spending $3-6 grand on the hardware and $70-$120 per month on the service. 

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of being able to get online absolutely anywhere, and to my geek mind, the automatic dishes look very cool.  But it's not for me at that price.

[Dallas]

Brian

Analog phones went the way of the wild goose a few years back

Satellite service doesn't work in every venue either..

We've watched the fellers with the Hughesnet/dustyfoot system spend a lot of time trying to get online.

I use AT&T, (Cingular), and connect at a slow speed of 145KBps. Right now our connection is at 1.77MBps... if I ned to, I can use my cell phone as a wireless Lan connector. Or I can use my wireless card for a USB connection. I have an external atenna for the card and it works well.

Using a cell phone for Internet access only works if you have digital cell service.  If you absolutely must have Internet access you'll need to go with satellite.  Cell service is more and more universal, but it still doesn't work in all rural areas.

[JackConrad]

   When connected on the slower 1xRTT, we get about 130-150K download. When connected on the faster EVDO, we usually get download speeds of 600-1200K with occasional burst at higher speeds.  Jack

[bobofthenorth]

We've got a tripod Hughes system for when we are in the boonies and use wi-fi when it is available.  There may be places where Hughesnet doesn't work but they aren't very big or very common and I sure don't know where they are.  But it is fairly pricey and the latency is a PITA.

[John Z]

I also use Millenicom and was happy with it on my recent trip to the McAllen TX area and back home to this stupid cold weather and snow in Minnesota.

But do be aware that the 50.00/month price mentioned above has gone the way of the Dodo bird. The monthly charge is now 59.99 a month. We are lucky to be grandfathered in at the 50.00 price.

It is still the best deal around since there is no contract, no taxes or fees. And they use the Sprint/Verizon etal towers, so they really do offer the best coverage out there.

Current rumor is that soon all the companies (including Millenicom) will go to a two step package. One will be unlimited, which Millenicom is the only company i know of that has a true unlimited package, unlike the phony deal Verizon pushes. The other step will have a cap on it. Again, if you have Millenicom, the rumor says you will be grandfathered in with the present unlimited status.

[jjrbus]

 If you spend a little time and effort you can find better deals on monthly service. I found unlimited usage for $49.95 month. Here is a link to the eplace for $40 month unlimited.
                         
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Sprint-Sierra-Wireless-595U-USB-Aircard_W0QQitemZ190207448156QQihZ009QQcategoryZ41355QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If link does not work go to Eplace and type in Sprint  595U aircard!