rawhide1 Report post Posted January 8, 2008 Hello to all I need some help on high speed internet. Right now we have dial up because we live out in the country. My other two options are Wild Blue satellite or a data card for the computer I think that's what it's called. Wildblue offers three speeds 512kbps for $50.00 a month,1.0Mbps for $70.00 month and 1.5Mbps for $80.00 month. Plus buying the equipment for 250.00 dollars. The data card is $150.00 but you get a $100.00 mail in rebate. Then the service is $60.00 a month. I only get one bar on my cell phone if I go up to the 2nd floor of the house. So will the data card work. My ?'s are how due the two compare speed wise and how much speed do I need. They say the data card compares to DSL I don't know how fast that is. And I would like to get phone service thru the Internet because everything is long distance for me. So between the taxes and the unlimited long distance plan and all the other junk they charge a fella I'm taking it ya know where. So any help from y'all is appreciated. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolvenstien Report post Posted January 8, 2008 (edited) Mike... you also have the option of DirectWay (DirecTv internet) and DishInternet (Dish Network). Verison also has a wirless internet card.... thing with the cards are you cant have more than one computer or service connected to it.... in order to have internet phone (VOIP) you need to have the service come in and connect to a router, then from the router to your computer, VOIP device, etc. I have never connected satellite, not wireless cards, only DSL and Cable Broadband.... the DSL is normally around 512k here local, and the cable is about 8-10meg down and 4-5 meg up.... My father in law just had dish network internet installed, he is happy with it. I have connected at his house through wireless on my laptop and it connected ok... but not like what i was used to here at home... If there is any way to get an IN HOME DEMO of the wireless card... do it... Edited January 8, 2008 by wolvenstien Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted January 8, 2008 As one who lives in a rural area...I feel your pain. Neither of those options sound very appealing to me. First off, Satellite, is really only a nick above dial up. The speeds are deceptive, most often slower than advertised, really only a few notches above after all is said and done. Not to mention, unlike dsl, when it's raining, there probably will be lost service. The wireless card is absolutely faster, but with only one bar, there could be a problem. Sometimes, the companies will boost reception for their broadband area, but not as a rule. I would see if any one you know has this, and can test it out from your house....or get the Card company to come demonstrate. If they want money from you, there should be sales reps who can visit you. Don't bother talking to their reps on the phone...(get them there in person) either they will try and sell you, even if the reception is poor, or try and get rid of you, just because they're late for lunch If there is a Cable option for you, I would definitely explore that approach. Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eldros Report post Posted January 8, 2008 I have the fortune of having high speed access, but I am starting to assist my family with getting something setup. One of their options is DirectTV of course. I will let you know anything I come across regarding how they stack up. I do know another item you may want to add to a list of questions you ask the companies is if they have a monthly limit on throughput. At least one of the providers using satellite limit your monthly download so that on the first day of the month it screams, but as you download more and more it begins to almost come to a halt. Of course, they do a lot of music downloads and uploads, so they push their limit fast. Just something to keep in mind. A web site you can use as a reference is DSL Reports. Don't treat everything you read as fact since it is a lot of rants...but could provide some insight if you have not visited there. DSL Reports Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted January 8, 2008 I am not a computer guy, and had dial-up plus at home before. Good connection speeds were 24. At times I got 14.4. I went to Verizon's cellular deal about 6 months ago maybe. I got the choice of a USB setup or the card. I went with the USB so I could plug it into my PC at home (since trashed) as well as the laptop I carry. At work I get smoking speeds, and am very happy. I can download emails quickly, and was able to watch live feed video from the snaffle bit futurity and you tube. At home I am in a different service zone. I get much faster service than before, but the youtube takes time to load, and the horsehow videos are chopped. The advantage of the USB service was proven to me last fall. I pulled off between Midwest and Kaycee WY (remote) and had 4 bars and fast speeds from the side of the road. I would have them prove what it can do at your place, if it works, great. I live within almost eyesight of town now. The only highspeed involves a dish or antennae, and hardware and setup costs. We don't want to sink that into a place we are renting. The ironic thing is our landlord is one of the guys who developed DSL and bringing it to the masses, and we can't get it on his property. Go figure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johanna Report post Posted January 8, 2008 I have a Verizon card that rips in most cities, much faster than the regular cable connection at home. I only use the Verizon card at home when NKTelCo goes down, or when leatherworker won't resolve dns with NKTelCo like this past weekend, otherwise I use a generic network card to connect my laptop to my router here at home. On the road, my Verizon card is convenient and easy- no logging into public networks, no waiting for connections, no limits on bandwidth or times. I can jump on the national network pretty much everywhere but some parts of WV. The connection here in farm country isn't very good, and with only a bar or two, it's fastter than dial up, much slower than cable, and it drops sometimes. Johanna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtwister09 Report post Posted January 8, 2008 I have FIOS at home and have the 15MB down/2 MB up package (FAST). However I also have the Sprint USB Broadband card for my consulting work out of town. I have had this service on and off since 2001 (We did some of the initial beta tests for Sprint). With 5 bars it does quite well and does give you low-end DSL speeds. Youtube and streaming video isn't an issue. When we were in New Mexico during Christmas, I was roaming. I was still able to download web pages and check mail faster than my Dad who had a 48K modem connection. I had about 115K connection with roaming. Hope that helps. Regards, Ben Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Genadek Report post Posted January 8, 2008 I have the Wild Blue equipment that I would give you a really good deal on. I had it here for about ayear then they put in DSl in my area so I switched. I was pretty happy with the wild Blue with the exception of working remotely then the delay was really annoying. Things change real fast in that world but a year ago they were the best option in my book. David Genadek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rawhide1 Report post Posted January 9, 2008 I want to thank everyone for taking the time to help me out on this. It's almost to much for my small brain to handle. Alltell are the folks i'm dealing with for the card. They say I can use the card for 15 days and then bring it back if I don't like it. A friend said she had some kind of cellphone signal booster I could use I wonder if that would help with the signal. I think if that works we'll go with the card. I have dishnetwork for my tv already so that might be another way to go if the card dont work. Mr. Genadek I really appreciate your offer and will keep you in mind if we go that route. Once again I want to thank everyone for their advice it has really helped me out. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rawhide1 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 Its been awhile but I finally got the data card. All I can say is wow!! and holy crap!! It is so nice to be out of the dark ages known as dial up. I'm running about 780kbps with only 1 bar. Compared to 26-36kbps with dail up. It is so nice to be able to watch videos and download pictures so fast. It will drop the connection every great once in awhile but so what. As soon as this girl I know moves into town i'm goin to get her signal booster and hopefully solve that problem. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolvenstien Report post Posted January 30, 2008 Happy you are not able to surf like the rest of us! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
