Internet Access in Alaska

[gpearston]

Hi - does anyone have experience with Internet access in Alaska (Kenai Peninsula)? Looking at AT&T but would like to hear from actual users

[Catch and Release]

Most RV camps have wifi available. Cell phone coverage is spotty and the roaming charges are high.

We were there in 06 and had no problem getting connected via wifi's.

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpearston Hi - does anyone have experience with Internet access in Alaska (Kenai Peninsula)? Looking at AT&T but would like to hear from actual users

I had full AT&T in 2004 throughout most of Alaska.

[Dr4Film]

Before leaving for Alaska last May, actually before going completely mobile with our coach and cargo trailer as we are now touring the North American Continent, I purchased a Sprint Overdrive Internet Router as we have been long time Sprint customers. Well, it worked well in the US, just okay in BC and the Yukon however, after arriving in Alaska, whatever company Sprint uses to partner with for the data connection was absolutely useless although their mobile service was fine because it uses different towers. I called Sprint Customer Service and put the service on "Vacation Status" so I didn't have to pay the monthly fee until after we arrived back into the US.

So what we did for internet service was to use all free Wi-Fi spots where we we staying. For the first 2 months, we stayed at a school closed for the summer in Eagle River while visiting my oldest son. There was a free connection there that was available most of the time. Then we moved to Fairbanks to visit my youngest son and while there we stayed at the Riverview RV Park where they had free Wi-Fi.

You will have to do your homework as to what the best method will be for you, but I believe that you cannot just rely on one, you will need to use a variety of methods to have full-time Internet service.

Since returning to the lower 48, I have purchased and installed a Rogue Wave Wi-Fi antenna to the Bat-Wing antenna on top which allows me to pick up distant public Wi-Fi hot spots that are open and free. So now, if our Sprint Overdrive doesn't connect to 4G service, I then try the Rogue Wave to see if there are any free Hot Spots around. Then as a last resort I will use the Sprint Overdrive 3G service if available and simply monitor the amount of 5 gig's that I use and are allotted each month. In some places, there is just no connection regardless of what I try but there are usually in locations where we have just stopped for the night while in transit.

The only way to have 100% full-time Internet service is to possibly install a Data-Storm, Moto-Sat or Hughes-Net Satellite that would be the extra large size needed which may work in Alaska due to the angle of the satellite to the horizon, not quite sure. It would be rather pricey along with a very costly monthly service. Also, any satellite service will be slower as the data has to travel to the satellite and back down twice to receive and send the data. They may have a service speed which is faster but would not be cost effective for the average user with the speed you are accustomed to using available but could not afford each month. This service is probably what commercial companies could afford.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[gpearston]

Thanks, your post has been very helpful. I am looking at the Rogue Wave and it seems pretty reasonable.

What do you connect the Rogue Wave to so you have internet within the camper?

[Dr4Film]

Here is another thread/discussion where I had posted some photos of my Rogue Wave installation.

Building an RV wifi network

Basically, you can either connect the Ethernet cable directly to one computer using the Ethernet connection OR you can do as I did, and connect the Ethernet cable to a protected router and have as many computers and other devices you want connected via wireless or Ethernet cable.

[Dolphin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpearston Hi - does anyone have experience with Internet access in Alaska (Kenai Peninsula)? Looking at AT&T but would like to hear from actual users

We were there July 2010,stayed on the Kenai river @ a fish camp.Used the camp WiFi which was great.I found there were lots of places I couldn't connect with my ATT Aircard.Good luck Alaska is a marvelous place that everyone should visit.

[gpearston]

Thanks again to all. I ended up putting in an antenna and a bridge and putting that in to my left over wireless router. Now I have a secure wireless network in the RV and I can hit my distant free wifi.

iRV2 is great - got lots of good ideas!