hughsnet?

[thatguy]

We have been using a 3g Verizon MIFI for about a year now and have been very pleased.. We had DSL on a 768 kbs plan, but it never got better than 300 to 400 kbs downloads.. Our mifi averages 1.5 mb/s but has been as fast a 2 mb.

A friend of is in the 4g coverage and was getting 14 mb down and 3 mb up.. We are suppose to have 4g here within the next 6 mths..

I am paying Verizon $80 for 10gb of usage - we have only gone over our allowance once, but have come close a few times.. We average 6 to 8 gb/mth..

As recommended the millicom is a good deal - you can get the regular USB modem and a router - their MIFI plan was the same as Verizon last time i checked..

brian

 

[lumberbean]

The misses and I have been using a Verizon air card for the past year and it hasn't been too bad but I still describe it as glorified dial up. The other choice we have is HughesNet and there's no way I'm signing up for that. I'm thinking about picking up a MIFI so I don't have to use VZ Access Manager.

The worst part about it is, Verizon FIOS stopped their installation less than 1 mile down the main road. And it's on both sides too, there's literally a gap on the main road that doesn't have FIOS. And to add salt to the wound, we get ads in the mail to sign up for it. I call them and their response is "it should be getting installed soon".

I'm interested in the microwave solution but haven't heard of any provider in my area.

 

[thatguy]

The misses and I have been using a Verizon air card for the past year and it hasn't been too bad but I still describe it as glorified dial up. The other choice we have is HughesNet and there's no way I'm signing up for that. I'm thinking about picking up a MIFI so I don't have to use VZ Access Manager.

The worst part about it is, Verizon FIOS stopped their installation less than 1 mile down the main road. And it's on both sides too, there's literally a gap on the main road that doesn't have FIOS. And to add salt to the wound, we get ads in the mail to sign up for it. I call them and their response is "it should be getting installed soon".

I'm interested in the microwave solution but haven't heard of any provider in my area.

Just curious are you in a 3g coverage area? When i drop down to 1xRtt (which is 1st gen data coverage, and its around 200kps IIRC), it feels like I am on dial up..

In case you didnt know.. you can enter 192.168.1.1 in your web browser (just like you enter a website name) and you can see what status your mifi is in..

Our 3g MIFI speeds have been very acceptable and WAY faster than dial up..

brian

 

[lumberbean]

Just curious are you in a 3g coverage area? When i drop down to 1xRtt (which is 1st gen data coverage, and its around 200kps IIRC), it feels like I am on dial up..

In case you didnt know.. you can enter 192.168.1.1 in your web browser (just like you enter a website name) and you can see what status your mifi is in..

Our 3g MIFI speeds have been very acceptable and WAY faster than dial up..

brian

I'm in a 3G area but the signal isn't good at all. I also haven't switched to the mifi device yet but am thinking about it. When I bring up the VZ Access manager and hover the mouse cursor over the signal, I average -105 to -95 on the EVDO. Its about the same or a little less on the 1xRtt.

I know it's a lot better than dial up but where I lived before, I had Comcast. Its really no comparison unless you have a 4G connection.

I just finished a speed test at speakeasy and the results were an astounding .43 mbps download and .08mbps upload.

 

[wcampbell47]

Thanks for that tip!! Verizon techs told me that wasn't possible, but I have also read similar info on other "tech" sites. Should work well with Verizon too, right?

The Wilson cell phone signal booster works with phones that use the CDMA protocol which Verizon does.

 

[CHDinCT]

Just saw this Dish announcement. Don't know anything more about it but sounds like it might be an option for the more rural parts of the good old USA.

DISH Bundles TV Service with ViaSat's Next-Generation High-Speed Satellite Broadband

LAS VEGAS Jan. 9, 2012 [NASDAQ: DISH] DISH Network L.L.C. and ViaSat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) today announced the availability of next-generation satellite broadband service bundled with DISH逞ｴ popular satellite television service. In February, DISH will launch its advanced satellite broadband packages with up to 12 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds bundled with a variety of DISH TV programming packages.

The DISH broadband bundle includes:

Bundles starting at $79.98 per month
Up to12 Mbps download speeds
24/7 telephone tech support at no additional charge
Installation starting at $99​

DISH bundled video and broadband products offer consumers speed, value and excellent customer service with a single bill and one installation. The new bundled offer is a great alternative for the millions of American consumers, mostly rural, with limited broadband options.

This is one more example of DISH meeting the needs of consumers, said DISH CEO Joe Clayton. The market potential for this new Internet service is substantial given the nearly eight million to 10 million mostly rural American households that are unserved and millions more left with slower broadband alternatives.

ViaSat will provide the satellite delivery services enhanced by DISH billing, installation, customer service and merchandising.

For more information, visit DISH Internet and Phone Packages & High Speed Internet Service. Logos for DISH and ViaSat are available at DISH Network - Photo Library.

 

[thatguy]

The Wilson cell phone signal booster works with phones that use the CDMA protocol which Verizon does.

FYI - for those with teh MIFI's - The wilson website has a statement that says their 'sleek' booster does not help with 4g signal strength - but it will boost the 3g mifi's

Brian

 

[thatguy]

I'm in a 3G area but the signal isn't good at all. I also haven't switched to the mifi device yet but am thinking about it. When I bring up the VZ Access manager and hover the mouse cursor over the signal, I average -105 to -95 on the EVDO. Its about the same or a little less on the 1xRtt.

I know it's a lot better than dial up but where I lived before, I had Comcast. Its really no comparison unless you have a 4G connection.

I just finished a speed test at speakeasy and the results were an astounding .43 mbps download and .08mbps upload.

On some of the USB modems there is a place for an external antenna - which may help with getting a better reception.. If you go to Cell Phone Signal Boosters and Antennas at Wilson Electronics - Wilson Electronics Inc. and search around you may find something that will help.. Their 'Sleek' device will help boost the 3g MIFI signals

with your speed is better than our DSL speed was LOL, but our signal was very, VERY unstable..

good luck

brian