3G Network Comparison

[John Hilley]

Here is an interesting comparison study of the 4 major 3G networks done by Root.

3G Comparison

[Gary RVRoamer]

Good report, but the testing was done in 7 major metropolitan markets and that's the least relevant data for RVers. Heck, all the carriers do fairly well in the major cities - it's the boonies that we RVers care more about. I would not base a purchase decision on the Root data unless I lived in one of those areas and didn't travel much.

[John Hilley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Roamer [Gary] Good report, but the testing was done in 7 major metropolitan markets and that's the least relevant data for RVers. Heck, all the carriers do fairly well in the major cities - it's the boonies that we RVers care more about. I would not base a purchase decision on the Root data unless I lived in one of those areas and didn't travel much.

One of the reasons it is relevant, is that that is where they pour most of their resources and where most of the revenue and complaints come from. I work for a rural telephone company that feeds the data telephone circuits to their towers. They don't commit much data to each tower. If they are committed in the metropolitan areas, you can bet they aren't committed in the rural areas.

[Superslif]

Having used ATT's service the last 4 years or so, I find poor service in the Western half of PA. and Eastern Ohio in the more rural areas. I'm thinking about switching to Verizon when my contract is up in the spring. Most of the places we go we don't get a signal for a 10 or 20 mile radius, where others are making calls from the campfire...

[JoshGilbert]

Is the only solution for internet in RV's the 3g cards?

I saw where dish network offers internet service. Has anyone tried this?

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshGilbert Is the only solution for internet in RV's the 3g cards? I saw where dish network offers internet service. Has anyone tried this?

To answer your second question first, both Dish Network and DirecTV offer Internet service. However, that Internet service is for fixed-dwelling residences and is not suitable for mobile use.

As far as Internet solutions for RVs: No, air cards aren't the only answer. You can go the cheapest route and use free Wi-Fi...when available...or go the most expensive route and use satellite Internet, either the tripod-mounted system, or the automatic roof-mounted Datastorm system.

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaH To answer your second question first, both Dish Network and DirecTV offer Internet service. However, that Internet service is for fixed-dwelling residences and is not suitable for mobile use. As far as Internet solutions for RVs: No, air cards aren't the only answer. You can go the cheapest route and use free Wi-Fi...when available...or go the most expensive route and use satellite Internet, either the tripod-mounted system, or the automatic roof-mounted Datastorm system.

Neither Dish Network or DirecTV offers satellite internet services. They do offer to subscribe you to some other providers services, however. Dish Network and DirecTV will hook you up with Wild Blue (not mobile at all!).
For mobile satellite internet service you need to subscribe to either Hughesnet (most popular) or Starband and then use either a tripod mounted manually adjusted antenna or the MotoSAT Datastorm fully automatic roof mounted antenna. The Hughes service starts at $59.99/month but most users subscribe to the $69.99/month Pro service to get a reasonable level of service. If you use a Datastorm you subscribe to the Hughes service through MotoSAT (a Hughes VAR) for $79.99/month.
The tripod hardware costs around $1200 and the Datastorm runs around $4000 plus installation new or you can sometimes find a good deal on a used Datastorm, you just need to be aware that there are a lot of older units out there that you may not want to buy.
Satellite internet will give you the most coverage (All of Mexico, most of Canada and the entire US including AK as long as you are not under the trees). All of these services have limitations so you have to find right service for you. Cellular will usually be faster than satellite where 3G coverage exists and slower where only 1x service exists. It's really bad where there is no signal! The amount of data you think you will be using can also be a deciding factor. If you exceed your 5GB/month limit with an air card you will be charged (lots) more. If you exceed your data limit with satellite you will never be charged extra but your service will be slowed down. With the Hughes Pro plan you can download up to 375MB/day PLUS there is an all-you-can-eat period from 2am - 7am Eastern time which does not count against your daily limit. That's over 11GB/month plus the free periods.
You can also use wi-fi, either paid or free, as you travel but this is the most limiting and unpredictable service of them all.

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Adams Neither Dish Network or DirecTV offers satellite internet services. They do offer to subscribe you to some other providers services, however. Dish Network and DirecTV will hook you up with Wild Blue (not mobile at all!).

Bill, I didn't say that Dish Network or DirecTV offered satellite Internet services, just that they offered Internet services...usually through one of their DSL and phone provider partners, or Wild Blue (which *is* satellite Internet, although...as you pointed out...it is not mobile since it is spot beamed). Which type of Internet access you'd get through a satellite TV provider would depend on your location. But, again, it's not for the mobile user.

[Superslif]

What can be said about simple "air cards". As stated above I now have ATT cell service with poor coverage in the Eastern Ohio and Western and Central PA. being very spotty at best. It's fine at home in the suburbs of Cleveland, but as soon as you get 5-10 miles away from major freeways in the stated areas you loose coverage. My contract is up in the spring and was thinking about switching to Verizon.

I have never owned a laptop, know absolutely zip about laptops or connectivity when away from home. I would really like to be connected to the outside world when camping. I'm finding it harder and harder to locate small town stores that sell national papers like the USA Today or such newspapers. I like to keep up on: upcoming weather, national and state news, area attractions and Ebay research and selling.

I have seen some "cheap" laptops advertised as low as $299. Some ?'s I have are:

~What is a air card?,

~What do I need to have in a new laptop to be able to use it while camping and get connected to the net?, Do all laptops have modems

~What is the cost for internet service? Would that be up and above to what I run at home (SBC DSL service).

~ Take Verizon as example. Do they have different coverage for cell and data areas? Could I assume their cell service could cover a much wider area and the data service be limited to populated areas.

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superslif What can be said about simple "air cards". As stated above I now have ATT cell service with poor coverage in the Eastern Ohio and Western and Central PA. being very spotty at best. It's fine at home in the suburbs of Cleveland, but as soon as you get 5-10 miles away from major freeways in the stated areas you loose coverage. My contract is up in the spring and was thinking about switching to Verizon. I have never owned a laptop, know absolutely zip about laptops or connectivity when away from home. I would really like to be connected to the outside world when camping. I'm finding it harder and harder to locate small town stores that sell national papers like the USA Today or such newspapers. I like to keep up on: upcoming weather, national and state news, area attractions and Ebay research and selling. I have seen some "cheap" laptops advertised as low as $299. Some ?'s I have are: ~What is a air card?, ~What do I need to have in a new laptop to be able to use it while camping and get connected to the net?, Do all laptops have modems ~What is the cost for internet service? Would that be up and above to what I run at home (SBC DSL service). ~ Take Verizon as example. Do they have different coverage for cell and data areas? Could I assume their cell service could cover a much wider area and the data service be limited to populated areas.

1) An air card is an internet modem that you plug into your laptop or router so that you can connect to the internet when you are in area where cellular internet service is available.
2) See above and no, most laptops do not have cellular modems but some of the new very small net-book computers do.
3) Air card service generally runs $60/month with a 5GB/month data limit. If you have service at home plus you want an cellular internet you would pay 2 fees. Some people replace their home fixed service with cellular service if you are away from home as much or more than you are home. If you are in a good 3G cellular area you will have good speed but likely nothing that could compare to a good cable connection but could be close in speed to a lower level DSL.
4) Yes, while Verizon has the most 3G service in the US, there is no guarantee that where their phones work you will have 3G or any level of internet service. As a general rule you will have some kind of an internet connection where phone service is available, but the farther you get away from a population center, the less likely you are to have good internet service.

[Superslif]

Thanx.....

What would I need to pick up Wi-Fi? Do you believe free Wi-Fi is expanding in more areas.

We tend to take a bunch of weekend trips pre and post season and 5-6 weeks of vacation over the summer. We camp 95% of the time at state parks in more remote spots. We will visit libraries of nearby towns to check in on emails and such. It comes to a point where it would be nice have the net more available at the campsite.....

O did I say I was "cheap".....Trying to get the most bang for the buck. It has to be cost effective for me to take the leap....

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superslif Thanx..... What would I need to pick up Wi-Fi? Do you believe free Wi-Fi is expanding in more areas. We tend to take a bunch of weekend trips pre and post season and 5-6 weeks of vacation over the summer. We camp 95% of the time at state parks in more remote spots. We will visit libraries of nearby towns to check in on emails and such. It comes to a point where it would be nice have the net more available at the campsite..... O did I say I was "cheap".....Trying to get the most bang for the buck. It has to be cost effective for me to take the leap....

You just need the built-in wireless card in most computers or you can buy an external one for around $50. If you can see the wireless network screen where is says "connect to a network" (Vista and likely Win7) or "view available wireless networks" (XP) then you can connect to a wi-fi network. More and more everyday are properly securing their networks so uninvited guests cannot connect but if you go where a free network is available you will be able to get on. Remember that free is just that, free. No obligation by anyone to make that free connection a good one so you are going to get what you pay for sometimes (nothing for nothing) and other times it will be crazy fast. Most of the time it will be somewhere in-between but bordering on the low end.
If you know where you want to camp, just call and ask. We all have the ability to vote with our dollars. If getting wi-fi is important to you then tell the campground you aren't coming. Maybe they will have it next time.
If you like to camp in State Parks or in remote locations, you are likely almost completely out of luck! You are going to be driving to the library as it is very likely that even having an air card will not be of much use. The farther you like to get away the less likely that any kind of internet service will be available other than a bring your own satellite setup.

[Superslif]

Got ya.
Going to Best Buy Sat. morning to look at some flat panel TV's. Will check out what is offered on laptops also. I'm acually going to print some of the posts on this thread to take along as a reference guide.....