Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Merle Hench on May 21, 2011, 09:02:13 am
Title: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Merle Hench on May 21, 2011, 09:02:13 am
Greetings all,
Looking for a little guidance in choosing what equipment/services would be best suited for my situation. I've done some poking around, but find the more I learn the more confused I become. With no mobile experience I find myself lost. Also, in looking for user experiences with various setups, it seems they all have one or more issues.
The existing setup on my 91 U225 is somewhat dated - not much use for an antenna anymore. It's been removed, along with all the TVs in the coach. Am going fulltiming, planning to boondock in remote areas mostly, both in Canada and the US. Not interested in cable TV, or any TV services at all. All I'm after is internet service and some kind of phone service. I will be installing a flat screen monitor/TV for use with my computer and for watching DVD movies on occasion.
Seems some kind of satellite system would be best suited for my needs, but most seem to be geared towards TV services and I'm not interested in that. Don't need anything fancy or complicated, and price is very much an object. I'm still digging and reading, but trying to save some time and am very interested in people's experiences with various service providers and their equipment.
Any suggestions or words of wisdom would be much appreciated. Thanks. :)
Steve
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Kent Speers on May 21, 2011, 09:16:46 am
Steve, we us a Verizon MiFi as our primary internet connection but have my AT&T iPhone as a backup if there is not a strong Verizon signal. If there is any cell phone service either Verizon or AT&T will be there. If the MiFi doesn't work, I can tether (cable) the iPhone to the computer for internet. I just call AT&T and add the service for $25 per month the drop the service when we are back in Verizon territory. The Verizon MiFi runs about $59 per month and the iPhone costs whatever cell phone plan you have plus the extra $25 for tethering. We also keep a "Pay as you Go" Verizon cell phone to use when there is no AT&T service.
There is also Satellite internet service from Hughes Net that can also accommodate your telephone needs by using VOIP phone service through Magic Jack or Vonage but I hear the roof top dish equipment is very expensive and there is still a monthly fee.
I'm sure you will hear many other combinations from others. So far our setup has worked well for us. Our primary use area has been in the Central US including the hinterlands of S. Texas.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Michelle on May 21, 2011, 09:26:20 am
Looking for a little guidance in choosing what equipment/services would be best suited for my situation. I've done some poking around, but find the more I learn the more confused I become. With no mobile experience I find myself lost. Also, in looking for user experiences with various setups, it seems they all have one or more issues.
Don't need anything fancy or complicated, and price is very much an object. I'm still digging and reading, but trying to save some time and am very interested in people's experiences with various service providers and their equipment.
Steve,
One of the Escapees' forums is a great resource for researching Internet access/equipment.
Internet Access on the Road - Escapees Discussion Forum (http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showforum=33)
With regards to phone, you'll want to check coverage maps for the areas you tend to travel, but in general Verizon is currently acknowledged to have the best coverage by far. I think there are some areas of the west, however, that may be better with one of the other large providers.
Michelle
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Horace B. Cupp on May 21, 2011, 09:34:29 am
Steve. A friend with whom we travel uses the hughes.net service for internet connection on the road, He has a router and lets me share his connection. He uses a ground tripod mount and manual orientation. Takes him 15 minutes or so to make connection. This rig is a LOT cheaper than the roof top self aligning outfits. He is, in fact, taking the antenna off of his house when traveling. He has no wired service available at home either. He has a bit more freedom of choice when parking under trees.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Paul Smith on May 21, 2011, 10:53:01 am
For remote areas your best choice is Hughes Net. See DatastormUsers.com for best current advice. But the affordable Hughes Net service ($70/month or so - Verify with the kind folks at DatastormUsers.com ) is not likely to give good VOIP because of the latency inherent in satellite communications (again, check with those at DatastormUsers.com )
Note that you do not have to have a Datastorm unit, or even a satellite system of any kind, to join the free forum at DatastormUsers.com and be able to post. PLUS, their free map location app is a treat. For example, you can always see where we are at:
( Datastorm Users (http://map.datastormusers.com/user2.cfm?user=332) ) best, paul
Quote
There is also Satellite internet service from Hughes Net that can also accommodate your telephone needs by using VOIP phone service through Magic Jack or Vonage but I hear the roof top dish equipment is very expensive and there is still a monthly fee.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on May 21, 2011, 11:36:54 am
Great subject, I have had Contel thru Verizon service now for 20 years, Just dumped the USB nation wide service @ $59.99 Month for the MiFi @ $35.00 month for exact same service, works the same. Not sure if any different speed. But now the DW has her own MiFi for $10.00 month additional. Still use the house DSL as is quicker, but when on the road, the MiFi does great. Love the $35.00 month. Anyone recall when the bag phone was the only way, for big bux month. Todays prices are real cheap, that is what you get for remembering how it used to be. ;D
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on May 21, 2011, 11:46:39 am
Merle,
We can't get cell at our house and the nearest cable is 500' away so we have Hughes Net satellite. A decent bridge between dial-up and cable.
The up side: Works anywhere that a TV dish will with decent download speeds but slower uploads. Fairly portable for 15 minute setup. Will work in Canada or Mexico also.
The down side: Dish setup is larger and heavier than satellite TV, OK for longer stay but would not want to have to do it all the time. Takes up a lot of room in the compartment. Costs about $50/mo. Use only HN9000 or later as earlier modems are slower and don't receive as well. 200Mb/day limit unless you want to spend more. Watching a lot of videos is out. Bit of a latency problem so Skype is very frustrating. For dry camping, the modem really uses the juice. Takes about five minutes to lock satellite from cold start. Big dish is susceptible to winds so you need a hefty tripod with a set of stakes.
We have a iPhone 3Gs with a prepaid plan at $.10/min. $2/day on the days you use it is an option. This is without data plan. With plan, you can tether to laptop. Yes, Verizon has the best reception with AT&T a little spotty especially off the main highways. IPhone 4 has camera front and back for Skype on WiFi.
We have a couple of Macs on board that we use with WiFi. Have found that a Dell Mini 9 (no HD, SSD memory) or Dell 10V with Mac OS is a perfect solution, small and super light for daypack or purse, good WiFi reception, excellent keyboard (10V), good camera, USB ports. Also fine if you are a PC Windows user. With a headset, it works super well for Skype. We made excellent video calls using WiFi connection in the Yucatan from a tiny town in the jungle. Like we were next door. Can easily plug into a HDTV or computer monitor for larger screen display in RV. External antennas can really add to reception range.
Lots of choices depending on budget.
Pierce & Gaylie '93 U300/36
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Keith and Joyce on May 21, 2011, 01:56:19 pm
Perhaps not what the original poster needs but we found a pretty neat device from Verizon. It's call Home Phone Connect.
It's a small box with a short antenna that is a cell transmitter/receiver.. You plug your house telephone into it. Works with wired or with a cordless system base. Your old land line system is now a cell system. You keep your old home number and it uses shared minuets with your cell phones. Why do this? No need to transfer your number to your cell phones when you leave for a trip. Just take the box with you and plug in a cordless or wired system into it in the RV. Viola - home phone on the road. Needs 110 volts though. With this system we never have to miss calls (of which my wife has many) - whoops did I say that? Best of all it's ten bucks a month.
Keith
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Dave Katsuki on May 21, 2011, 02:17:35 pm
We use a Verizon aircard with a Wilson amp and Wilson antenna, and find usable or good/great speed almost everywhere, but if you are really really in the boonies, probably only a Hughes/Datastorm sat dish will work. It is surprising how many places that seem to be in the boonies do have a Verizon signal, however, and their coverage continues to get even better. We used to have an AT&T card and AT&T iPhone, but found that AT&T was not useful in many places we like to go (e.g. off the beaten path), so gave up all AT&T. BTW our Verizon iPhone4s are great!
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Kent Speers on May 21, 2011, 02:53:18 pm
I guess it all depends on where one travels because I have found AT&T to be more reliable. But its close to a toss up with Verizon.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Don Hay on May 21, 2011, 03:00:07 pm
Steve, I used an automatic satellite-finding (for HughesNet) Motosat dish (Datastorm) for four years. The dish sytem (computer to find satellite and a dish) was more than $5,000 for the the smallest dish. When it worked it was great. However it was constantly having issues. Towards the end (last November) many of the problems were with HughesNet itself. I imagine that the manual, do-it-yourself tripod would eliminate some of the problems. The monthly fee was $79. I finally went the same route as Kent Speers. I bought a Verizon "Five-Spot" (MiFi) for about $60, and subscribed to a 4GB/month plan for $53. You can get 8 GB/mo for $80. We have used it for 6 months now and it is reliable and just as fast as my $5,000 satellite via Hughes Net. I would have done this sooner, but didn't realize that you don't have to have a cell phone through Verizon.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: J. D. Stevens on May 21, 2011, 03:44:22 pm
I have used a Sprint cellular modem for many years. The model I have now is plugged to a Sprint Personal Hotspot that supports four wi-fi clients. My bill is $63/month.
I use it in Houston when I am working at a client site. It is 4G there and gives me an Internet connection not filtered by the client's restricted gateway to the work. It is 3G in most locations. When we travel, I leave it plugged to 120VAC in the coach. It supports our two MacBooks and two iPhones. It works most of the places we go, but we seldom are far from a highway.
We use ATT for the cell phones. It works most places we go except for Montana. It is always roaming in Montana, but we have not incurred roaming charges because we only spend about two weeks there each year.
I have a Mitsubishi satellite phone that I would give you. It came with the coach. The antenna is still on top of the coach. It is in a small dome on the roof. I checked to see if would still be functional. It appears that you can still get satellite telephone service for reasonable prices if you don't spend much time on the phone.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Kent Speers on May 21, 2011, 05:48:10 pm
Does anyone know what the difference in cost and performance is between On Star and a Satellite Phone? Also, can one get On Star for our coaches or is it strictly for GM vehicles?
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Peter & Beth on May 21, 2011, 06:02:21 pm
Does anyone know what the difference in cost and performance is between On Star and a Satellite Phone? Also, can one get On Star for our coaches or is it strictly for GM vehicles?
Google is your friend: Navigation System, Auto Security, Vehicle Diagnostics - OnStar - OnStar.com (http://www.onstar.com/web/portal/home)
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Kent Speers on May 21, 2011, 06:06:46 pm
Peter, I'm really tired and my shoulder hurts. Could you look it up for me?
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: jeff on May 21, 2011, 06:49:54 pm
Kent,
On Star. For other vehicles will be available mid summer at Best Buy. 10 year old vehicles max. I will (Carol will) call On Star and see what they say about motor homes this weekend. Should be interesting. Love having On Star in our new auto.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Peter & Beth on May 21, 2011, 07:07:48 pm
Peter, I'm really tired and my shoulder hurts. Could you look it up for me?
Sorry Kent, Jeff beat me to it. But, I'm really tired too...and my shoulder is really sore, too. Beth and I went and got Forrest out of hibernation...washed him, and started the water systems sanitizing overnight. He's looking good.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Kent Speers on May 21, 2011, 08:29:40 pm
Oh well Peter, I guess your not as young and physically fit as Steve, just washed Forest and sanitized him? Thanks for the link to On Star but I guess I will just wait for Carol to do her thing.
Isn't On Star basically Sat Phone plus?
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Peter & Beth on May 21, 2011, 08:56:21 pm
Kent, I don't have a clue. The last time I owned a GM product was a 1960 Olds 98 Fiesta. It was a boat and in those days the astronauts had gone to the moon with technology that was weaker than my right shoulder is tonight.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: J. D. Stevens on May 21, 2011, 09:16:17 pm
OnStar is cellular phone plus GPS. There was a recall on our 2000 Suburban to disable OnStar. It was analog cellular phone technology that would no longer do anything but run down the battery. The newer versions hook into lots of computers and allow some remote control.
I am speaking as someone who has never had a GM vehicle new enough to use OnStar service. The value of information I supply is usually worth at least what you have paid for it.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Dave Head on May 21, 2011, 09:23:43 pm
On Star is a cellular phone that can stream data bi-directionally. There is also a GPS component to it. I have had Onstar in 3 GM vehicles and cancelled it after the initial lower cost period. Newer cars it can monitor tire pressure and fluid levels and report them monthly. It can also do the unlocking, etc. Non-GM cars will not interface as well.
The minutes are expensive and expire in 12 months if not used. I always have my own GPS (Garmin) plus the last two car have factory units. I was always irritated that GM refused to offer any sort of Bluetooth/hands free integration because their big push was Onstar only. Finally in '09 or '10 select vehicles were optional.
I believe an 'extra' cell phone that has to stay in the car is a waste of money when I normally have two with me (BB and Iphone). The hands free is nice. I suppose if I was old, lonely and widowed it would be nice to be able to push a button and have someone to talk to.
As far as a comparison to an actual SAT phone, probly cheaper.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Kent Speers on May 21, 2011, 09:36:29 pm
According to Wikepedia, OnStar is CDMA cellular, primarily with Verizon. That being the case my idea of OnStar rather than a Satellite phone is out the window. Maybe satellite service will get more reasonable some day.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: jeff on May 21, 2011, 09:49:18 pm
We were up in Yosemite Thursday. No bars on our verizon cell phones. Just searching for service. OnStar worked fine. I dunno..
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: amos.harrison on May 22, 2011, 06:54:44 am
I used HughesNet for years until I switched to Verizon MiFi. I feel you have to be out of both AT&T and Verizon cell service to justify its cost and trouble, and I could set it up very fast. The MiFi can get very slow with low capacity towers, but it isn't affected by weather like HughesNet.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Merle Hench on May 22, 2011, 07:54:20 am
Thanks for all the replies and links. :) Will get busy digging further.
Sounds like what I'm looking for will be costly in terms of equipment and monthly fees. My initial thoughts were to just stay disconnected while boondocked, and find a public Wifi spot when nearing civilization to resupply. That would be the cheapest way to go, but limits access. I'm not much of a phone user - my current cell phone is only for emergencies. On the other hand I cannot foresee how much life may change once I'm mobile.
Lots to think about. Thanks again.
Steve
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on May 22, 2011, 08:37:36 am
Useless Information Department: Verizon is the only cell outfit with an emergency generator at every site, until they took over the Alltel operation where they are slowly adding generators. Alltel was a low budget cell operator from my view. Other providers mostly have generator systems in the high population areas. FWIW
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Bill & Kim on May 22, 2011, 05:17:48 pm
Looking for a little guidance in choosing what equipment/services would be best suited for my situation. I've done some poking around, but find the more I learn the more confused I become. With no mobile experience I find myself lost. Also, in looking for user experiences with various setups, it seems they all have one or more issues.
The existing setup on my 91 U225 is somewhat dated - not much use for an antenna anymore. It's been removed, along with all the TVs in the coach. Am going fulltiming, planning to boondock in remote areas mostly, both in Canada and the US. Not interested in cable TV, or any TV services at all. All I'm after is internet service and some kind of phone service. I will be installing a flat screen monitor/TV for use with my computer and for watching DVD movies on occasion.
Seems some kind of satellite system would be best suited for my needs, but most seem to be geared towards TV services and I'm not interested in that. Don't need anything fancy or complicated, and price is very much an object. I'm still digging and reading, but trying to save some time and am very interested in people's experiences with various service providers and their equipment.
Any suggestions or words of wisdom would be much appreciated. Thanks. :)
Steve
Hey Steve, We ended up using Millenicom for our internet service fulltiming. We both have iPhones via ATT but decided against their "unlimited data plan" of 4 or 5 G's I think. Seems the phone carriers have all redefined "unlimited" to mean "up to" 5 G's.
Millenicom's unlimited plan is truly unlimited. I do quite a bit of music editing where I need to download large files then send the edited versions back. We also are suckers for Netflix. Haven't had any problems thus far with 'em - 3 months. The slowest speed I've had so far has been a little faster than dial-up. Usual speed has been almost as fast as back home with cable. They charge a flat rate depending upon the plan you want and there is no contract or taxes. Check 'em out.
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Merle Hench on May 22, 2011, 09:56:26 pm
Hey Steve, We ended up using Millenicom for our internet service fulltiming. We both have iPhones via ATT but decided against their "unlimited data plan" of 4 or 5 G's I think. Seems the phone carriers have all redefined "unlimited" to mean "up to" 5 G's.
Millenicom's unlimited plan is truly unlimited. I do quite a bit of music editing where I need to download large files then send the edited versions back. We also are suckers for Netflix. Haven't had any problems thus far with 'em - 3 months. The slowest speed I've had so far has been a little faster than dial-up. Usual speed has been almost as fast as back home with cable. They charge a flat rate depending upon the plan you want and there is no contract or taxes. Check 'em out.
Well Bill - you've got my interest peaked. I also do a lot of music editing - in fact, am in the process of transferring as much of my 24 track recording setup and instruments into the coach as I can. This is proving to be a challenge. The e-drums just aren't going to make it. ;) Most everything else will, though. Several of the people I collaborate with now have talked about swapping files after I go mobile, but I didn't think I'd have the access or bandwidth.
Definitely going to look into Millenicom. Thanks.
Steve
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Bill & Kim on May 22, 2011, 11:10:37 pm
Well Bill - you've got my interest peaked. I also do a lot of music editing - in fact, am in the process of transferring as much of my 24 track recording setup and instruments into the coach as I can. This is proving to be a challenge. The e-drums just aren't going to make it. ;) Most everything else will, though. Several of the people I collaborate with now have talked about swapping files after I go mobile, but I didn't think I'd have the access or bandwidth. Definitely going to look into Millenicom. Thanks. Steve
Definitly can do file swap. Not as quick as what I had at the house with cable modem but seeing as how I can be anywhere and still do my tweaks, I'm happy. Am using protools on the road. I do my drums in the studio (Noble & Cooley 8) ) then clean 'em up later on the road. Vocal & acoustic stuff is easiest and usually not any problem (so far), with Millenicom.
Edrums sound to me like the lights are on but nobody's home... ::)
PM me with your set up and layout. Sounds interesting. What do you play?
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Merle Hench on May 23, 2011, 07:35:28 am
Checked into Millenicom - coverage in the US only. That's a dealbreaker, as I expect to be in Canada 1/2 my time. Will keep looking into what's out there.
Steve
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Jim on May 23, 2011, 10:21:49 pm
We use Verizon for cellular phone service and a Verizon datacard and they have worked reasonably well in remote places out west. We also use a Wilson cellular amplifier and a Cradlepoint cellular router.
You might want to consider Millenicom for datacard service. They are a reseller and don't use the same carrier for all plans. The Advanced Plan is 20 GB and is on Verizon with no contract. I believe most if not all of the other plans are with Sprint but not sure about that.
I am considering switching to their Advanced Plan due to the 20 GB limit and the cost is 59.99.
Jim
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Patricia on May 23, 2011, 11:05:00 pm
We use Verizon for cellular phone service and a Verizon datacard.... also use a Wilson cellular amplifier and a Cradlepoint cellular router.
We also use Verizon for cell phone, with an Advanced Plan (20 GB on Verizon footprint) from Millenicom for data (USB 760 modem) - and it works very well. On rare occasions we have used our Cradlepoint MBR1000 router to share the signal between our two laptops.
We've been wondering about whether to purchase a cellular amplifier to boost the signal for the cell phones (voice - very simple flip phones - no text, no pix). Which model do you use? Permanently mounted external antenna? What type of internal antenna do you use - or is it connected to the Cradlepoint?
Thanks!
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Bill & Kim on May 23, 2011, 11:48:04 pm
Checked into Millenicom - coverage in the US only. That's a dealbreaker, as I expect to be in Canada 1/2 my time. Will keep looking into what's out there. Steve
Bummer... :( I understand that if you do go outside the US, their rates begin to look like a bank bailout.
We've been wondering about whether to purchase a cellular amplifier to boost the signal for the cell phones (voice - very simple flip phones - no text, no pix). Which model do you use? Permanently mounted external antenna? What type of internal antenna do you use - or is it connected to the Cradlepoint? Thanks!
Am also interested in this set up and if the amplifier is worth the cost of adding it.
$10 more for unlimited... ^.^d hello Netflix marathon!
Note that Millenicom's unlimited plan is only on the Sprint network, and the advanced plan (20 GB) is only on the Verizon network.... The choice of network may or may not be an issue depending on where you need to use the service. FWIW
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Merle Hench on May 24, 2011, 07:12:39 am
Ahhh, it gets ever more confusing. ;D
Yes, those roaming charges do add up, don't they? I have a very old cell plan, $18.99 a month. Made two calls from Florida when I picked up the coach in April - my bill was over $60 - so $40 for two 5 minute calls. I miss payphones.
My ideal would be a simple satellite link with Internet and VOIP communications for a flat fee regardless where I am. I am dreaming... ;)
Steve
Title: Re: Confused by all the choices - internet access and phone
Post by: Jerry & Coleen on June 02, 2011, 01:06:44 pm
Having used both AT&T and Verizon, it's a hands down choice for Verizon. AT&T is great in cities and interstates. Bit faster than Verizon. Terrible in small town off the beaten path. All Verizon towers are 3G. Canada makes things harder. Verizon MiFi will support 5 devices. We use ours with a Cradlepoint 1000 router. Hughesnet is an option, but slow and pricy.