Which Satellite Internet Company?

[buckeyefarmer]

I'm using Direcway indirectly via Earthlink. I've had it for 2 yrs now, beats dial up. I did have water ruin the transmitter on the dish once, of course it was out of warranty. However, still MUCH better than dialup.
Here's the kicker, my neighbor has DSL, but I can't get it, or so they say, even though I'm the next pole down. Being an engineer, and in the telco/networking business, I know it is possible, but Verizon just hasn't provisioned my line for it and I can't seem to find the right person to talk to that knows anything about provisioning it. (Since there is a lenght limit to DSL, by default they provision the bundles within that distance. If you happen to be in a bundle that extends past the max distance, even though you may be within the distance, you don't get provisioned automatically) I just wish they would stop sending me the DSL advertisements.

And it is possible to run VPN over it, i connect to my office using a CISCO VPN client. If you get the business service (around $100) you can get a static IP and control over things like port forwarding. With the residential plans, they turn off port forwarding ability in the modem/router, which screws you from doing fun stuff.

 

[texbaylea]

TxDon

I am up on wireless broadband and it is great. I am seeing speeds around 535kbps download and 159kbps upload. Can go faster if I want to pay more per month. Cost me $199 plus the tower. Had to get up 70' to see over the trees but a clear shot to their tower (water tower). The tower cost me about $1300 and has my TV antenna on top. I wll put an antenna for a wireless phone range extender on the tower soon.

Those speeds are a tenfold increase over what my dialup was.

Vernon

 

[txdon]

Vernon, That's great! I bet your flying now. A 70' tower, whoa. Picture???
I have been looking at a homemade tower made with pipe sitting on a pipe hinge with guy wires if I need a tower less than 42'. We have a transmitting tower about 9 miles away. and I tried to call them in January but they never answered. I found out their transmitter blew off their tower. I need to check to see if they have it back up and if they can reach me. (I wonder If I could also use the tower for a wind generator!) What is your monthly?

 

[ronjhall]

While in Mesa. AZ. We had 3G connections on our Cingular Air card. While it was faster than the normal connection. It still was not as fast as the Wi-Fi RV resort had. Problem was that Wi-Fi was not reliable. Air Card connected every time.

 

[texbaylea]

TxDon
I have the lowest plan at $50 a month, the next level is $70. I do not have a contract and can switch plans monthly if desired.

I need to find a vantage point to get it all in before I take pictures. I had intended to set by the utility building but that meant no TV antenna on it and about 250' of trenching to bring the signal over so it is set next to the house.

Vernon

 

[texbaylea]

Ron

We are at the extreme range from the cell towers so the Air Cards are marginal otherwise we would have gone that way.

Vernon

 

[SCRich]

Here's the kicker, my neighbor has DSL, but I can't get it, or so they say, even though I'm the next pole down. Being an engineer, and in the telco/networking business, I know it is possible, but Verizon just hasn't provisioned my line for it and I can't seem to find the right person to talk to that knows anything about provisioning it. (.

Buckeye... I wish I was in your shoes I would have internet in a matter of 1 hour. How far is your neighbor ? It may make it an afternoon job instead of 1 hour. You can get a couple of clients at CompUSA or Best Buy and set up a link between your neighbor and your home. These are very low powered devices but it CAN be done. Amateur Radio operators are playing with WiFi and getting good paths up to and exceeding 20+ miles depending on topography. Some installations exceed the FCC requirements for normal users but hams can do it due to loopholes in the rules and our license.

If you live close there are no loopholes needed or bending of the rules. 2 clients can be purchased for about $100 or if you are REALLY close just a regular wireless router at the neighbors home for $40 will do the trick.

If you need more suggestions PM me, or if others are interested and have nearby DSL/Cable connections and would like I can do a post on what is required. The toughest part will be knowing your neighbor well enough to ask a favor. Offering to pay the DSL bill may be enough incentive and you will both have enough bandwith!

 

[sr160009]

Has anyone tried Kiowa Online? I know it does not cover very much area, mainly just Cooke county Tx. I am currently buiding a house in Cooke county and it seems like this might be my only choice (since satilite internet does not work well with VPN) or just going with Sprint, cingular or Verizon broadband card for a laptop. The benifit of Kiowa online, I would be able to run all of my PC's through a wireless router which I would not be able to on a broadband card.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

SCrich, thanks, I know I could do that, but not close enough with him to go that route.
my Direcway / Hughes did pretty good during the n'oreaster, was off a little bit.