Internet Service????

[Tide Guy]

Here's the question, Which internet service is better for full timing? I have been using earthlink for some time and it OK, but am concerned about service on the road. I see the DSL service is not possible without a hard wire telephone line. Really don't want to go back to dial-up if possible.

Welcome any/all comments.

Did see where some folks are using cell service for internet connections. How does that work.

Tide Guy

[Tide Guy]

Here's the question, Which internet service is better for full timing? I have been using earthlink for some time and it OK, but am concerned about service on the road. I see the DSL service is not possible without a hard wire telephone line. Really don't want to go back to dial-up if possible.

Welcome any/all comments.

Did see where some folks are using cell service for internet connections. How does that work.

Tide Guy

[Tom N]

When accessing the net via WiFi or a cellphone you do not need an ISP. All you would need is an email address from one of the free or low cost email providers.

[rebelsbeach]

I use both a Verizon aircard with my laptop as well as a Motosat roof top dish for internet... In larger metropolitan areas the aircard is close to DSL and in ALL instances the service plan (and dish size) I use equates to broadband access...
We primarily use the aircard on the road while the coach is moving....

[Zimectrin]

We have found that Wi-Fi supplied by the RV parks is becoming more prevelent. So, as Tom stated, this makes an ISP redundent.

If a park does not have Wi-Fi, there is usally a Hot-Spot in town.

We use Gmail for a no cost email address.

For the times when we can not, or choose to not, use Wi-Fi, we have a no charge account with Net Zero. Pleanty of local access numbers for coverage. Only get 10 hours a month and have to endure ads, but for email and banking works fine.

[RickO]

We have been on the road now for nearly three months and 4000 miles. We went with the Verizon Air Card and couldn't be happier. In out of the way places, we get "dial up" speeds, but it is usually much faster than that.

I'm sold on it for $60/month.

[itdave]

I would say the answers is it depends.

Do you need Internet Service in your coach no matter where you park? If so then the best answer would be a Satellite Service. There are two types of antennas Automatic (about 5000 start up), or manual (about 1500 start up) monthly will be about 60 to 80. This will service will work unless the dish is blocked by trees.

If fulltime anywhere internet is not mandatory then the next best option is an AirCard from a cell service provider. Coverage and speed will depend on the provider. Each of them post a coverage map on their web site but it can be very hard to read. The truth is no one has 100% percent coverage in the US and the high speed service is generally only available close to large cities. The low speed service is a little better than dial up but even that is not available everywhere.

The final choice is WiFi. Even in RV Parks that have WiFi it may only be available in certian area of the park, like next to the office. If a park does not have WiFi you can try to find a hot spot in rual areas there may not be many. I have seen that some parks and most store services are begining to charge a fee for use.

The final choice is dial up. Which can be hard to find as a full timer. You will need to find a land line which could be available in the office of the RV park but may be hard to find in state and national parks.

In the end I think Cell Phone based internet access may be the best all around choice. Even if you choose an Aircard you can use WiFi if it is available.

Hope this help you make a decision. BTW I have both a Satellite and AirCard.

[lthrnk]

We have been using a Verizon wireless Rev A for a few months and it is great. Plugs in to the USB port on the laptop. Actually as fast or faster than our home cable hookup. For $60.00 a month it's a no brainer. If we have cell service we have internet service. If we don't thats OK too. Read a good book or just hang.

[Cubey]

I plan to most likely use Sprint's wireless internet service for $60+taxes/fees per month. I bought a wireless card from ebay so I should be able to get on without a contract if I insist upon it.

I already have phone service with them and got my deposit back with them (1 year through a 2 year contract) so they shouldn't need a deposit from me again for any other line of service (I guess?) since I have a perfect track record with them. Plus I own the card already, unlike my phone plan where I signed a contract and got a free phone (which seems to be a very well made phone!).

I will also get a cardbus PCI adapter so my good desktop (much better than my laptop) will also be able to run the card and get online for stuff when I'm plugged into shore power and desire more speed.

[Wallaby Dan]

Hi there, i agree that the air-card is the best for us fulltimers and i took it one step farther, I use my air-card in a router[KR1}. That gives me a wi-fi connection and we use two computers! And when we are at rest areas or in a rv park that has wi-fi, can use theres if My signal is really low! I also added a external antenna for the card and that really boosts the signal!
Anyway that what we did and for $60.00 bucks a month, I like it1!!