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Wireless Again

Yahoo Message Number: 15081
This forum is great. I asked a question regarding internet access via Verizon and T-Mobile and received numerous great responses. One responder is even staying in the same RV park and invited my wife and me over for a demonstration of their AT&T service (great) and a glass of wine! Now that's a heck of a response!

To further clarify my original post, I use Wi-Fi extensively when available and, for the last month or so while parked in the desert, have used Verizon's Express Network. . .charged for data rather than minutes. Though it is great for email, it is too expensive for web downloads. I like to read the news from various sources every morning with a cup of coffee in the comfort of my coach.

I would like to toss out a related topic for discussion.

I cancelled an appointment to install an internet satellite on my coach when it occurred to me that, in my opinion, Wi-Fi will make internet satellite obsolete for most users in a few years. If I already had one, I'd love it. I have a friend, a CC owner, whose wife makes daily phone calls to her mother in Brazil via the connection. . .for free. But I'm not sure if I could cost justify the expense now.

Already Verizon offers "broadband speeds" via their aircard in 27 major U.S. cities and "modem" speed in most of the country. Now that AT&T has finalized the merger with Cingular I suspect we'll see "broadband speed" from them very soon.

If I'm correct, why buy satellite?
So what about it you satellite users, about-to-be satellite users or confirmed WiFi/aircard users? Am I reading this wrong?

Looking forward to the posts!

Jim Gregory

'98 40' Intrigue 10613

Re: Wireless Again

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15082
Jim, we have been using our regular Verizon cel phones, the two for $59 a month type and a $39 one time install program from Verizon that comes with a USB phone plug. After 9:00 PM in the evenings and weekends the air time is free, We have used it in 10 states around the West. We are currently parked in Washington, Utah(Next to St.
George) and it is about the same speed as dial up. The install program dials a 777 number that goes on the internet to any service you specify as if you dialed it from home. You are not searching for a number in a new area. The only exception is if you are in an extended network area. There is no roaming charge, but the program will not connect. In 10 states, there was only one place in Montana that we parked that was on the extended network. Verizon is one of the few providers that works on the Oregon coast. We switched from Alltel when their program would not work on our Sony notebook and have been happy with it for the past year. Good Luck with your search.
John

2002 Allure
#30702

Re: Wireless Again

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15086
One thing I discovered about satellite (TV)is that you have to make sure you get a campsite with no trees. Here in the east, that is somtimes hard to do. Many times I ended up in a spot where I didn't have line-of-sight because of the trees. I'm sure this is a problem for satellite internet too. I think the tree problem is less prevalent out west. But if you must seek a spot with no trees, then you give-up the shade that we love so much in the hot summer. That's what convinced me to keep my very reliable and inexpensive ($30)T- Mobile aircard for unlimited internet surfing while on the road, and at home.

Larry, 2003 Allure #30856

Quote from: lacamastraveler
>

This forum is great. I asked a question regarding internet access > via Verizon and T-Mobile and received numerous great responses.

One

Quote
responder is even staying in the same RV park and invited my wife

and

Quote
me over for a demonstration of their AT&T service (great) and a

glass

Quote
of wine! Now that's a heck of a response! >

To further clarify my original post, I use Wi-Fi extensively when > available and, for the last month or so while parked in the desert, > have used Verizon's Express Network. . .charged for data rather

than

Quote
minutes. Though it is great for email, it is too expensive for web > downloads. I like to read the news from various sources every > morning with a cup of coffee in the comfort of my coach.

I would like to toss out a related topic for discussion.

I cancelled an appointment to install an internet satellite on my > coach when it occurred to me that, in my opinion, Wi-Fi will make > internet satellite obsolete for most users in a few years. If I > already had one, I'd love it. I have a friend, a CC owner, whose > wife makes daily phone calls to her mother in Brazil via the > connection. . .for free. But I'm not sure if I could cost justify > the expense now.

Already Verizon offers "broadband speeds" via their aircard in 27 > major U.S. cities and "modem" speed in most of the country. Now

that

Quote
AT&T has finalized the merger with Cingular I suspect we'll > see "broadband speed" from them very soon.

If I'm correct, why buy satellite? >

So what about it you satellite users, about-to-be satellite users

or

Re: Wireless Again

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15087
Out here in the West WiFI and Digital Cell can be hard to find unless you park near the big cities. In Montana there aren't many big cities. That's why we have the Datastorm. While up in Alaska we used WiFi at parks that had it. Until we were north of Dawson Creek, BC we had a good satellite internet connection. We like the boondocks and the Datastorm works for us.

Quote from: lacamastraveler
>

This forum is great. I asked a question regarding internet access > via Verizon and T-Mobile and received numerous great responses.

One

Quote
responder is even staying in the same RV park and invited my wife

and

Quote
me over for a demonstration of their AT&T service (great) and a

glass

Quote
of wine! Now that's a heck of a response! >

To further clarify my original post, I use Wi-Fi extensively when > available and, for the last month or so while parked in the

desert,

Quote
have used Verizon's Express Network. . .charged for data rather

than

Quote
minutes. Though it is great for email, it is too expensive for

web

Quote
downloads. I like to read the news from various sources every > morning with a cup of coffee in the comfort of my coach.

I would like to toss out a related topic for discussion.

I cancelled an appointment to install an internet satellite on my > coach when it occurred to me that, in my opinion, Wi-Fi will make > internet satellite obsolete for most users in a few years. If I > already had one, I'd love it. I have a friend, a CC owner, whose > wife makes daily phone calls to her mother in Brazil via the > connection. . .for free. But I'm not sure if I could cost justify > the expense now.

Already Verizon offers "broadband speeds" via their aircard in 27 > major U.S. cities and "modem" speed in most of the country. Now

that

Quote
AT&T has finalized the merger with Cingular I suspect we'll > see "broadband speed" from them very soon.

If I'm correct, why buy satellite? >

So what about it you satellite users, about-to-be satellite users

or

Re: Wireless Again

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15089
This is very interesting to me since I'm looking at these options.
Right now I have the Cingular card. It works OK not as fast as I had hoped since I am in a major city. Someone asked about Broadband and Cingular, I can't get anyone to say yes or no. I do know that the card you buy now will not work on that. The unlimited is $80 a month.

Verison is also $80 a month. The same card will pick up Broadband if it is available. So that seems like a better deal to me, so I'm within the 30 days so I will probably return my Cingular card.

I also am curious about T Mobile and how it works in while traveling. It is by far the best deal for the dollars but I'm not sure about the coverage.

In looking at all the maps, Cingular has the best coverage, Verizon next then T Mobile doesn't look as extensive.

Any input from others would be really helpful.

Thanks.

Linda

98 Intrigue 10678

Quote from: lacamastraveler
>

This forum is great. I asked a question regarding internet access > via Verizon and T-Mobile and received numerous great responses.

One

Re: Wireless Again

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15093
Linda

We have been using T-Mobile for about 13 months. We love it! Speeds are acceptable and feel about like a dial-up, but a little faster. Speeds are not too slow. The Verizon maps are deceiving.
We know because we have Verizon cell phone services to. Many times where Verizon map said there should be service, there wasn't. Every time T-Mobile map showed service, we got it! Don't know about Cingular. Ask Verison to show you the map that displays "data" access as apposed to voice. They're different. Having said all that, even if Verizon, or Cingular have better coverage, it's hard to overcome the price advantage of T-Mobile. In the last 13 months, we have had about a 95% reliability rate with T-Mobile. The couple of times we didn't have coverage, we knew we were going to get it the next day at our next location. So waiting a day was not a problem when you consider the price difference. We also use it at home too, so we save additonal money there. And, I surf the net many hours a day and the speed is just fine. And, unlike WIFI, T- Mobile works while going down the road too! They have a 14 day money back guarantee. IMHO, you can't beat this service for the price!

Larry, 2003 Allure #30856

Quote from: lr6621
This is very interesting to me since I'm looking at these

options.

Quote
Right now I have the Cingular card. It works OK not as fast as I > had hoped since I am in a major city. Someone asked about > Broadband and Cingular, I can't get anyone to say yes or no. I

do

Quote
know that the card you buy now will not work on that. The > unlimited is $80 a month.

Verison is also $80 a month. The same card will pick up

Broadband

Quote
if it is available. So that seems like a better deal to me, so

I'm

Quote
within the 30 days so I will probably return my Cingular card.

I also am curious about T Mobile and how it works in while > traveling. It is by far the best deal for the dollars but I'm

not

Quote
sure about the coverage.

In looking at all the maps, Cingular has the best coverage,

Verizon

Quote
next then T Mobile doesn't look as extensive.

Any input from others would be really helpful.

Thanks.

Linda

98 Intrigue 10678

[quote author=lacamastraveler"

>

> This forum is great. I asked a question regarding internet

access

Re: Wireless Again

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15096
Jim,

We just went through a similar excercise and like you desided that we would see what would develope in the Wireless enviorment. Having committed to Wireless instead of Satellite, we now think we are going to go with a Cingular aircard ($200 no discounts and $ 80. per month). We did a lot of going back and forth between Verizon, Cingular and Sprint until we just desided on Cingular for the broadband coverage which appears to fit our needs better. We have not bought the service yet, but intend to when hit the road in June.
We currently use a DSL line for internet access.

--

Regards
Jose'

'03 Allure Cascade 40' tag # 30863 '03 Silverado toad
http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com
Jose Ferrer
06 Magna Rembrandt #6568
Towed 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Cat C13  with Allison Transmission
Hydralift, Blue Ox Avail tow bar

Re: Wireless Again

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15097
Linda,

Wow, your note has got me rethinking what I'm going to do about internet access on the road. Are you parked near a city that is covered by in their map and you are not getting broadband? If you are, did you called Cingular to complain about it? If their maps are unreliable I may have to reconsider going with a Cingular aircard.

--

Regards
Jose'

'03 Allure Cascade 40' tag # 30863 '03 Silverado toad
http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com
Jose Ferrer
06 Magna Rembrandt #6568
Towed 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Cat C13  with Allison Transmission
Hydralift, Blue Ox Avail tow bar

Re: Wireless Again

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15101
Hi

There is a way around the trees in most cases. I have a portable DW6000 satellite internet system mounted on a tripod and have used it from Southern CA to Oregon to Maine to Key West back to CA. The only place I was unable to get on the internet was along the coast in Oregon. The trees were so big and thick I couldn't see the sky at all, let alone the southern sky. There are a few folks that have the DataStorm and carry a tripod system for the times they are under trees. The portable system can be a couple hundred feet away and usually a `hole-in-the-trees' can be found in that radius.

There is a great new forum (Internet by Satellite) if anyone is interested in learning more at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RVInternetbySatellite/messages
Here are a few more good forums:

Broadband forum

http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/sat
Datastorm users group ? look for TRIPOD discussions http://www.datastormusers.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi
Escapees forum - look for Sat and Internet discussions http://escapees.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=256606751
These are all open to the public and free.

The cost of a portable system seems to be from $1200 to $2000 for a complete system ready to run or $600 for the basic system and whatever you can build or buy the support and other things for. I started with a homemade tripod made of steel fence materials. It was strong and stable but bulky to move. Monthly internet service is $59.95 for the basic consumer level. I find the speed so much faster than dialup I can't use anything slower now. I'm spoiled.

Some of the vendors that sell the systems are here:

Portable satellite system vendors:

Glenn Simpson -- glenn@... http://www.businesswebsupport.com/
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~flicka15/hardware.html
http://dustyfoot.com/
http://www.rv-anywhere.org/
http://www.maxwellsatellite.com/
http://www.businesswebsupport.com/index.html
Barb and Joe (Sorry, all I have is email address) bjnolly@...
Adrian 602-918-8965 formerly an installer for Ron Brundage

There are many many, more but I just can't remember them all. My apologies to those I have left out. This post has got too long.
It's out of control so I'll stop typing. If anyone wants more let me know.
Andy

The truth about our gas prices.

Why are we low on oil? Simple - we forgot to check it.
Our oil is in Alaska, Oklahoma and Texas.
OUR DIPSTICKS ARE IN WASHINGTON.
{Stolen from some other forum}

DW6000 / Satmex5 / Xpndr 1070 / linksys befw11s4 2002 36' Allure #30787 / 2000 Subaru Forester

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Quote from: Larry Feather
> > One thing I discovered about satellite (TV)is that you have to make > sure you get a campsite with no trees. Here in the east, that is > somtimes hard to do. Many times I ended up in a spot where I

didn't

Quote
have line-of-sight because of the trees. I'm sure this is a

problem

Quote
for satellite internet too. I think the tree problem is less > prevalent out west. But if you must seek a spot with no trees,

then

Quote
you give-up the shade that we love so much in the hot summer.

That's

Quote
what convinced me to keep my very reliable and inexpensive ($30)T- > Mobile aircard for unlimited internet surfing while on the road,

and

Re: Wireless Again

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15102
For some reason the email address for Barb and Joe is messed up in the last post.
I try again.

Its supposed to be

bjnolley@...
Andy

Re: Wireless Again

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15104
One more try. Seems to be yahoo messing it up. I try this:

b j n o l l y at r v n e t w o r k i n g dot c o m

My my

Quote from: Andy Ring

Wireless again

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15098
We are about 20 miles out of St. Louis. We show we are in an area that should get "Edge" with Cingular. Edge should get 80 to 150 from what Cingular says. The GPRS areas should get 40 to 50.
When you call Cingular is is VERY hard to get anybody that knows anything about the data. I'm sure that is the case with many of the providers.

That is the question, many seem to like T Mobile even at slower speeds and for $30 vs $80 per month it might be a better deal.

For anyone that has this service, there is a web site you can check your speeds. Go to www.dslreports.com/stest You can pick a location and then just hit start. It will give you the actual performance. I would be really interested in what the people on T Mobile are getting. It shows up and down speed. With Cingular I'm getting around 38/42 on average. So not great for the $80. I do live in a valley so that is part of the problem. I'm going to Verison today and try to run the tests to see how it does.

From my research, Cingular has the most coverage, Verison is next and T Mobile has the least coverage area. Verison is updating to broadband in many major cities and if you get the $80 unlimited with them you can use Broadband where it is available. Broadband claims 300 - 500. T Mobile only says dial up speed, but again their price is by far the best and if we are actually only going to get dial up maybe that is the best deal.

Linda

Intrique 10678

Re: Wireless again

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15111
OK, I just did the T-Mobile speed test and got 20/33 (up/down) which surprised me because it feels faster. But it doesn't look like Cingular is getting a whole lot better at over 2 1/2 times the cost. Like I have previously posted, we have been very happy with our T-Mobile for the last 13 months, at home and on the road. Good luck with what ever you decide.

Larry, 2003 Allure #30856

Quote from: lr6621
We are about 20 miles out of St. Louis. We show we are in an

area

Quote
that should get "Edge" with Cingular. Edge should get 80 to 150 > from what Cingular says. The GPRS areas should get 40 to 50.
When you call Cingular is is VERY hard to get anybody that knows > anything about the data. I'm sure that is the case with many of > the providers.

That is the question, many seem to like T Mobile even at slower > speeds and for $30 vs $80 per month it might be a better deal.

For anyone that has this service, there is a web site you can

check

Quote
your speeds. Go to www.dslreports.com/stest You can pick a > location and then just hit start. It will give you the actual > performance. I would be really interested in what the people on

T

Quote
Mobile are getting. It shows up and down speed. With Cingular

I'm

Quote
getting around 38/42 on average. So not great for the $80.

I

Quote
do live in a valley so that is part of the problem. I'm going

to

Quote
Verison today and try to run the tests to see how it does.

From my research, Cingular has the most coverage, Verison is next > and T Mobile has the least coverage area. Verison is updating

to

Quote
broadband in many major cities and if you get the $80 unlimited

with

Quote
them you can use Broadband where it is available. Broadband

claims