Bad time to buy WiFi/4G LTE equipment, outdated technology in a year or so?

[Isaac-1]

I understand, I have been there and done that too (I was in one of the original test markets for DirecTV 6 months before it went nation wide) with various early adopter technologies and feel this one is different, there is no doubt about the financing, baring global economic meltdown, end of civilizations, etc. in which case we all likely have bigger things to worry about. This system is coming, and is almost here, with the only real question mark at the moment is when will it be made available to consumers, at what price, and what will the consumer equipment look like, and will they enforce some strange fixed location operation clause. These are all things we should have a MUCH better idea about any time now, could be tomorrow or could be in six months. My personal guess is we will start seeing demo equipment, maybe even pre-orders around June of this year.

[Doug427]

Originally Posted by docj

With all due respect, there are significant uncertainties regarding how the SpaceX system is going to impact individual users. The first thing is timing--it's likely to be at least 2021 before coverage of all of North America is provided and that's assuming that all the planned launches go as planned and everything works as designed. Those are big assumptions.

Then there's the issue of price. Yes, Musk has used an $80/month swag to publicize the concept but that's a long way from being willing and able to provide unlimited internet service to everyone at that price. I would expect to see higher prices initially and, potentially, tiers of service at a range of prices.

Lastly, for RVers there's the question of how much open sky will the system really need on your rooftop in order to work properly. No doubt the antenna will be a flat "phased array" system where nothing physically moves. Compared to today's satellite TV and internet it won't be connecting to a satellite fixed in a single location. Rather, there will be lots of satellites whizzing around in the sky and your connection will automatically jump from one to another. That means that you may have to have a relatively large open sky above you otherwise your connection may jump to a satellite that is being obscured by trees or a building or whatever. Until more is known about this, how the system will be affected by trees, etc, won't be understood.

Any electronics you buy today probably have, at most, a ~5 year life before they've been made obsolescent by technological progress. For example, most of today's cellular hardware will become obsolete as the 5G network expands over the next decade. But that doesn't stop people from buying today's new phones even though virtually none of them are 5G-capable Personally, I wouldn't defer a near-term purchase just because of what SpaceX may or may not be able to provide in the next couple of years. JMO

Joel (AKA docj)

Of course, until the switch is flipped, there's no guarantees on anything - ever. There's no telling quality of service, how much clear sky will be needed, etc. However, minds much smarter than mine all seem to agree that this system should work very well, and that it will be a significant upgrade over what we have now. Price of course remains to be seen.



All that being said, I don't believe that what we have now will be going away anytime soon. 4GLTE, WiFi, 5G, etc will be around for a long time. WiFi Ranger can certainly look to capitalize on all this by using Starlink or or one of the other two satellite based internet systems being talked about as yet another additional input into their already well rounded system. A WiFi Ranger Converge system having 4GLTE/WiFi/5G/Starlink inputs would virtually guarantee that no RV is ever out of internet signal.



I don't see this Starlink system as the demise of WiFiRanger, Winegard and other similar systems, but rather an opportunity to provide an even better product.



With that scenario, we all win.

[docj]

Originally Posted by travelwarm

Save your money! I spent $850.00 on WFR to learn my model was discontiued two years later.

If you purchased a WiFiRanger Elite, it definitely isn't obsolete and it's quite possible that sales of the unit will continue in parallel with the new Converge models. If someone isn't interested in a rooftop LTE modem, the Elite is a fine WiFi extender/repeater. Your Ranger is fully capable of running the newest firmware.

Joel (AKA docj)

[Don/Lou]

https://www.spacex.com/webcast

[Don/Lou]

SpaceX hopes to begin offering satellite internet access in the northern United States and Canada later this year, after 12 launches to put 720 satellites into orbit. The company has regulatory approval to launch more than 12,000 of the 573-pound relay stations.

From CBS news after this am launch where another 60 sats got put up!

[tlkhorses]

The other thing is about satellite is just like with directv or dish, you'll be under the trees so LTE or WiFi will be the option.

[SLOweather]

Another thing missing from this discussion. It's focusing on comparing a satellite constellation for Internet to a terrestrial voice/text/data network.



There will be a market for a long time to come for cell phones, tablets, IOT, and car telematics without the "overhead" of satellite data. (pun intended)

[Doug427]

Originally Posted by SLOweather

Another thing missing from this discussion. It's focusing on comparing a satellite constellation for Internet to a terrestrial voice/text/data network.



There will be a market for a long time to come for cell phones, tablets, IOT, and car telematics without the "overhead" of satellite data. (pun intended)

I agree, this is why I had mentioned earlier to docj (Joel) that I look at this as an opportunity for companies like WiFi Ranger to expand the capabilities of products like their new Converge line to bring the Starlink system into the picture as yet another input to combine into the mix. I don't think all the sources and technologies that you mention will go away, I think that as time goes on they will stop being the primary and instead become trusted sources of backup input.


The question now that I had started this thread with is this: I'm buying a coach that needs a technology update - a COMPLETE update. Do I update now, and have a whole suite of expensive new equipment that can't take advantage of this new technology that I believe is perhaps only a year away, or do I wait until it's available and hopefully buy a WiFi Ranger or similar system that integrates this new tech into a complete comprehensive system, combining the old tech and new? I guess the answer lies in your belief, or lack thereof, of if this tech is actually coming, and if so, when.



I do believe it's coming, and I do believe it's coming fast. After giving all this a great deal of thought, I believe I'll do the best I can with the outdated equipment that's currently onboard the coach and go all in with the new tech in a year or so.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Doug427

I agree, this is why I had mentioned earlier to docj (Joel) that I look at this as an opportunity for companies like WiFi Ranger to expand the capabilities of products like their new Converge line to bring the Starlink system into the picture as yet another input to combine into the mix.

Even though I have absolutely no idea what a Starlink antenna/receiver will be like, I'm pretty confident that it will output its signal via USB, Ethernet and/or WiFi. Therefore, it ought to be easily connectable to a WiFiRanger router. To the Ranger the Starlink signal will simply look like any other internet connection.

I would be very surprised to see WiFiRanger, itself, get involved in producing such a device, at least at the outset. JMO

Joel (AKA docj)

[rarebear.nm]

I think by the end of 2020, maybe sooner, we should have some answers about Starlink. In the mean time a lots of guesses based on limited information from SpaceX.

I'd stick with a working solution for now if you need Internet access in the meantime.

[reubenray]

More satellites were launched yesterday.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-...ay-2020-02-17/

[sstewart]

SONY

Soon Only Not Yet

[AJMike]

In general it is impossible to keep up with the new technology, and this has been true for the past 40 years or more. Just as soon as someone bought the newest and fastest PC there was something that made it obsolescent and I am sure that will continue to be true. As soon as internet became "fast" and people bought the right equipment faster service became available. Now we are supposed to have 5G service but it will probably be many years before it is available outside of some small service areas. Stuff takes time to shake out.

In addition if there are competing systems you can not be sure which will win in the end and which, if any, will be the dead end. Remember BetaMAX and VHS.

In the short term I suspect that any new service will be th plagued by bugs and very expensive and that any technology winner will take some time to become clear. An affordable system may also be years in the future for most of the population so I would not expect to be able to take advantage of new satellite service in the next 2 or 3 or 4 years.

Given all of that if it were me I would proceed without expecting to be able to use any new service anytime soon.

[Conesus1]

How long has HD TV, 1080P been around.
Same for 4K. How much content does each have. Not even near 100% yet.


Well from what I saw on PBS, we have many more years before 5G is really something.
Cities will have it first because 5G doesnt travel distance very well. Then for camping, country??
Then as others have stated it'll be $$$, so like the TV deal, wait, it'll come down.
IMO, 10years before its common place and reliable.