Internet options for a country location.

[Mark & Andrea Jones]

OK. After seeing the topic on the General Discussion board about laptops, I really wanted to ask the question there, but figured that I would only be hijacking the topic. So, here it is.

When you live out of town AND you want a better/faster ISP than using a dial-up connection, what do you use? I live in town and can get DSL or cable, however, my parents have been living with a dialup connection at home and their business because they don't know any better (they are clueless around computers - their computers are STILL running Windows 95). They cannot get cable or DSL. However, I've heard some pretty awful things about using a satellite two-way connection. Such as: They start out good, but then it changes (slows down) about 6 months down the road.

My sister just bought them a laptop and my mom wants to be able to use it at home or at work (about a mile or so away). Now, I have to be able to convince my mom that she REALLY needs to get some kind of decent computer connection because she will need to do software and antivirus updates regularly. To be able to do this, she needs to have an option that she can download "stuff" at a reasonable speed onto her laptop - dialup is NOT a reasonable speed. AND I'd also like to give them the option to be able to go to some cool websites - like this one, maybe? Or one that talks about antique cars - which is my dad's hobby - or Trakaners (horses) - which is my mom's hobby.

Now, they do not travel much outside of their immediate area and are not the type of people to take their laptop to the nearest internet cafe with free WiFi to do their software updates. Ain't gonna happen.

So, here are my questions again: What satellite service do you use? Do you have any comments/complaints about it? Are there other options (other than satellite) available? Am I not thinking outside of the box enough? Is there some kind of mobile satellite hookup available that can be transported WITH the laptop to enable mom to take it home from the office in the evening? I am trying to stay away from two separate dishes / receivers.

Another thought (outside of the box): What about using a modem that receives a cell phone signal? How well does this work? Does anyone have any experience using this? 'Cause then you are basically using a cell phone to do your internet connection. They have Verizon (I believe) already, so adding another "line" wouldn't be a big deal.

Thoughts, anyone?

Andrea.

[mikeschn]

An option is to get the Verizon USB720 cell modem. Plug that into an appropiate router, and everyone has wifi.



The router we bought was a dir-450

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=524

and here's a link to the verizon cell modem. It looks like the 720 has been superceded by the 720, but you can probably use anything on this page...

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/stor ... ss+devices

Mike...

[TPMcGinty]

I had two choices. Dial up or satellite. I use this service:

http://www.wildblue.com/

I still have to have a second dish and reciever (first is with Dish Network). I couldn't use a cellular service because of my location.

[planovet]

Another thought (outside of the box): What about using a modem that receives a cell phone signal? How well does this work? Does anyone have any experience using this? 'Cause then you are basically using a cell phone to do your internet connection. They have Verizon (I believe) already, so adding another "line" wouldn't be a big deal.

That's the way to go. Just get a card from your mobile company and you will have an internet connection wherever you have cell phone reception. Won't do you much good though if you are out in the boonies miles from the nearest cell phone tower but otherwise it's you best mobile option.

Just for reference, here is Sprint's website for their AirCard http://www.mobilebroadbandnetwork.com/index.cfm

[Joshua]

Our program at the state uses the cell phone air cards. Simple to use, goes pretty much anywhere you get a cell signal and sometimes they receive better than a cell.

Look into the best coverage cell phone company in area. So far we haven't had any issues with the air cards.

Mike- I like the router idea as well so everyone can join in!

[Sonetpro]

I have a Verizon wireless card in my laptop. I have used it everywhere. On vacation last year we went through Texas,New Mexico,Wyoming,So. Dakota, Nebraska,Kansas and Oklahoma. The only place I could not get a signal was in the black hills.
I had satelite before I got DSL at the house and the latency was real bad. Once it was downloading something it was quick. but for surfing it was a 2-4 second delay. It wasn't worth the money.

[fireaunt]

At first I thought you were asking about out of USA but then figured out you needed rural. Now you see why I am having a hard time finding out about service for my daughter. In Ennis TX or maybe it's just her apartment complex, she only has one cable provider. She doesn't want tv. We found out that ATT can put in high speed DSL (she would need black box @$40 for the cable and the lynksys I have) then it's $25 /mo. With ATT you can use your cell phome as a modem for $30 extra/mo or buy a sattilite card for $100 (some rebate may apply) and pay $60 /mo. Sprint has a card for about $100 and the charge of $50/mo. Or for $30/mo you can use your phone as a modem. Or at least I think that's what they said. Are there other options to use with a laptop?



Marilyn

[Jiminsav]

If you have a pocket PC, and you get the data service with it, you can use the pocket pc as a modem with a usb cable to your laptop.

if you get a Aircard, you have just that card with a data plan and it has a separate phone number that it uses to call the network and hook up.
can't use an aircard as a phone.