Posted on 09/21/2013 6:22:35 PM PDT by rey
I live in a remote area and have difficulty with internet connection. It is so bad that I actually use dial up.
The owners of the property have a satellite dish (Hughes) which they are not very happy with. It is slow (slightly faster than dial up), does not function often, is affected by rain and fog, and, as we are next to a mountain, soemtimes has no connection at all.
We are too far out for a DSL or T3 T4, so far AT&T won't even quote a figure. I do not believe Comcast comes out here and I cannot find a human at the company to talk to. And, to top it off, cell phone service is spotty at best.
So, resident computer geeks, what are your suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Jim
I believe there are satellite based systems used for RVs but kinda pricey.
Our astronomy club had a similar problem getting internet at our observatory. We contracted a local ISP in the nearest town to set up a microwave link that works quite well; if you have a clear line-of-sight to a town this may be the way to go.
I’ve heard some good things about Wildblue which is another satellite service. That’s about all the info I an offer.
Have you tried semaphore?
Check to see if there is a wireless company in your area. We couldn’t get cable, DSL, Earthlink, etc., etc., etc., but a local wireless company was able to provide service. We’re in the mountains in Calif. and have been very happy with it.
Ya, wildblue.com.
Do you have cell phone 3G or perhaps 4G?
How is your cell service? Use as a hot-spot?
Use the book method, if nothing works.
In other words, if nothing works, get a book.
I assume that your phone company does not offer DSL service.
That is what I have here in the Philippines. Phone and 2 meg
internet.
The mobile companies here also offer a wireless internet that goes through the cell towers. The antenna/transceiver, mounted above the roof, is about the size of a shoe.
They may have that there.
A friend back in rural Alabama has satellite and also has a slow speed.
Verizon will provide a relay that installs in your attic free of charge. 3G is like low DSL.
If you can get cell phone service you may be able to use one of the new wi-fi hotspot devices like a DataJack. They seem to be provider-specific. If Sprint is your local 3G/4G carrier, search Amazon.com for:
Sprint hotspot
to get an idea of your options.
Read the fine print, especially about the number of MB per month that you are allowed. Make sure that you can return the device if it does not work for you.
3G or 4G over your cell phone will probably be the best deal. Verizon has the widest coverage, but look into page-plus cellular instead. They use the verizon network but charge about 1/3 for the same service.
The sat system should work better. it won’t do voip due to the time it takes for the signal to travel up to and back form the dish but for web stuff it should be decent.
I’d bet the dish is out of adjustment.
Get a Wilson amp for a hot spot or internet card. Because the device you buy has an antenna connection. Yes, Wilson makes antenna’s that “collect” the signal but the direct connection is the best. If your hand held has spotty you should get 50% or better signal on the amp.
Check into wireless service.
I live in the sticks too and have AT&T DSL and they also offer wireless. See if they do in your neck of the woods.
Also, www.dslreports.com is a good place to plug in your zip code and see what is available in your area and get customer’s reviews on the providers. I have used it a lot!
There are even provider techs on the site one can email and get help from.
Good luck,
jodyel
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