I would like internet service while traveling in coach,any suggestions.

[Jimooo]

Any cheap suggestions.


Thanks

James

[Jimooo]

I forgot to say for my notebook.


Thanks

[gajd33]

Jimooo,

"Cheap" is in the eye of the beholder! Tell us a bit about what you do on your notebook in terms of internet usage. Will you need to stream video, download files, work from your RV, etc?

There are three main options:

1. Park Wifi
2. Satellite
3. Mobile Internet from phone providers

Each has its own set of pro's and con's. Each has its own set of costs. Most people find the combination of RV park wifi and Mobile phone provider service to be enough for their needs.

I would do a search here on the forums and look through the articles on RV internet from DIY RV, RV Lifestyle, and Changin Gears.

[codgerbill]

Cheap...not ezakly. Horizone Hotspot @$50/month. Yon can use the tablet/laptop/or desktop as long as you have a phone signal and use it while rolling along (well the non driving partner can anyway). My DW can use her Ipad when we are on the road traveling.

Park Wifi usually sux and depends on how close you are to the antenna and how many people are trying to use it at any given time. Usually in the morning everyone in the park is trying to get on line and if you can get on the speed is soooooooooo slowwwwwwwwwwwwww.

[RickO]

gajd33 summed it up pretty well IMO.

Provide more details to your question for better, more specific suggestions. When you say you want service while "traveling in your coach"... do you mean while underway or just once you get set up in a campground?

Lots of alternatives but all have pros and cons.

Rick

[PyrateSilly]

Here are some sites to look thru on internet choices:

RV Internet Access
Communication
Mobile Satellite Internet
Mobile Internet Satellite provides satellite Internet connection services and products for RVs and the home.
Choose a Satellite Internet Provider
Satellite Communication | Satellite Internet | Phone | Radio | TV and DSL Internet | VoIP | GPS
Datastorm Users – MotoSat is now closed, not sure how much info here but you never know
Big Rig Satellite Semi-Truck Trucking Internet TV
FTLS - Staying Connected
Satellite Internet Service - High Speed Broadband | Exede Official Site- Thom called and several people on the phone said yes they are now doing RV and mobile sattelite intertnet. Other's have emailed them and they emailed back with no so double check …....
Home > Autonet Mobile

[elkhornsun]

Easiest way to go is to get setup with millenicom.com and buy a Novatel 4620LE mifi device from them. The Novatel is about the size of a deck of cards and can run off its rechargeable battery for 8 hours or be plugged into a 12v DC power source or 110v AC. It can be located anywhere that is conventient in the RV.

Your laptop and up to 9 other computers can use the mifi to connect to the local Verizon cell towers. Cell towers are located to support motorists so reception on the road in general is very good. You should be able to turn on the mifi and get your computer to connect to it in 5 minutes the first time and after that it is automatic.

Advantage of the Mifi is that you have a secure connection while in campgrounds or at a fast food store or a Starbuck you are on a public network that is anything but secure.

With millenicom the cost is $70 for 20GB and you can terminate service at any time and restart it for only $20. Going directly with Verizon the cost is $80 for 10GB a month.

[JayStar]

Originally Posted by Jimooo

Any cheap suggestions.


Thanks

James

It seems that many folks are utilizing cell service as their Internet connection. The cost of a satellite dish for Internet, not including data, can be high.

I have Verizon cell service so I bought a Verizon JetPack (hotspot) so that I can access the Internet with more than one device. In your case, a USB modem would do the trick for your laptop. They're about $20 with a 2 year contract. I bought the JetPack outright so I'm not tied into a 2 year contract. The JetPack is actually another phone that calls the nearest cell tower to establish a data link and then broadcasts a wi-fi signal to your device(s).

The BIG cost issue is data. Can't tell you the cost because it depends (as another poster pointed out) on how much do you need or want. Verizon also has a chart there to give you an idea of how much data you would use depending on your style of Internet use. In the case of Verizon, the cost of data (in gigabits per month) can be found on verizonwireless.com or Sprint, ATT, T-Mobile etc., websites.


J.

[Jimooo]

Sorry that it took so long to return information, I'm thinking that I would need at least 5 gig plan and use while traveling on the road either tethering with cell service through I phone 4S or A USB stick.

I use my notebook on the road to control buildings at A large southern college that I work for, it is critical to have Internet service for energy management control for all HVAC, electrical ,fire,security with our automated system.

I would appreciate any tricks that some of you have used.


Thanks,
James

[RickO]

Originally Posted by Jimooo

I use my notebook on the road to control buildings at A large southern college that I work for, it is critical to have Internet service for energy management control for all HVAC, electrical ,fire,security with our automated system.

I would appreciate any tricks that some of you have used.


Thanks,
James

Wow. It sounds to me as though you have a "mission critical" need for connectivity anywhere and everywhere you might travel. Not sure that fits with the "cheap solution" you're looking for.

Rick

[PyrateSilly]

Here's one more and depending on what you want to spend you are guaranteed service. It is NOT cheap by any means and I usually do not post it because it is quite expensive but it is reliable. It's usually the government or disaster responders that use this level of service. Price just for connection every month can go over $1,000 with this company and that is not including the equipment. No not cheap but much more reliable than normal satellite connections.
Global Satellite Internet & Phone - Ground Control International

[dunkonu23]

I am going through the same choices for this spring. The millenicom stuff looks interesting, however I have some questions:

1. If you look at the accessory page on the millenicom site, they state LTE is not supported on their booster. Is LTE supported on their Hotspot device?

2. Speed. Can someone who has a millenicom hotspot at 4G run a speed test and post the results while in 4G mode?

3. I like the millenicom offering but is the $49.95 activation fee one time initial setup or does the fee lower after the service is used, shut down, then reactivated?

4. Does the hotspot device have a built-in, configurable firewall?

5. If the answer to 4 is yes, then how configurable is the firewall?

Thanks!

Scott

[CountryFit]

you can use verizon smartphone with wireless tether. not sure what data package you would use but it will work well for you. tether can be free.

[Mekanic]

I pay an extra $20 on my Iphone for 5GB of data per month.
It is the best deal for me. Its though AT&T. 3G is the fastest service around here for AT&T.