AOL Satellite Service/Office Depot... $19.95 + Free Install.

[CocoGdog]

Don't shoot the messenger. I went to the local OD and found that they had a clearence running for the AOL Direct PC Satellite Dish and USB Modem for $19.95. If your area s*cks like mine with no DSL or Cable modem service, then this might be your only connection to high speed internet.

Other info:

Cost per month: $54.00 (total unlimited AOL) compared to $49.00/$39.00 for DSL/Cable prices
Download: 400kps
Upload: 56kps (needs modem connected all the time s*cks too)

I also went to Circuit City and they had the same dish configuration for $149.00. There's a 1-800 number to setup free installation so you don't have to set it up yourself but it's possible to do the work yourself. Even if you don't set it up, $19.95 is great for a satellite looking thing with a satellite modem thing. Just ask the salesman, they might have a couple in stock because it didn't sell well at all.

 

[unclebud]

it was $49.9x last week afais, is it now coming up in the system like that?
thanks for posting!

 

[NetworkDad]

Unfortunately, if you sign up for AOL - your posting days are over here on Anandtech. AOL's IP address blocks are banned from posting here at AT.

 

[unclebud]

i go to a library for that
aol was free for me until today -- they finally gave up i guess
still, all the hotties use aol (oooh i wanna pun about keeping the latest trends!)...

 

[kermalou]

i was a beta tester for this service and let me tell you it has sucked since day 1. this garbage service needs the phone line connected to it at all times.

 

[unclebud]

so does tivo... doesn't it?

 

[MIDIman]

Originally posted by: kermalou
i was a beta tester for this service and let me tell you it has sucked since day 1. this garbage service needs the phone line connected to it at all times.

1) what were the download speeds like? Upload at 56k is fine by me...

2) since you're connected via modem, can you use another ISP - or is the modem connected to AOL as well? i..e most Sat services require the modem being connected via ANY ISP, regardless what company it is.

I thought this might be a nice solution for me - I live in the middle of nowhere (actually only a few miles away from the next area code), and have only two ISP's available to me; a local crappy one at $20/month and Juno. Believe it or not, AOL is not an option for me here via modem. We won't be getting high speed anything at least until 2004 if not later.

 

[XFreebie]

but v.92 is all the craze!

 

[mrVW]

Build your own DSL! Start a hot deal on Orinoco wireless cards... if you live in flat areas, you can go 20 miles with a couple of these + good antennas!

 

[roamerr]

DirecPC Dial Return satelite internet service is pretty good. Downloads are fast and the 56K uploads are fine since uploading is minor. Ties up the phone line but is reliable.

The Satelite Return system (usually $400+) is horrible. Upload is slower than modem and is unreliable. Packet loss is bad.

I have had both. Dial return is good if no other option (DSL or Cable). AOL Satelite should be the same as DirecPC Dial Return.

 

[Oakind]

I got this package at OD for $0.00 FREE, about 6 weeks ago here in Daytona Beach. Last one, I belive.

Upload speed is slow, but downloads are really fast. Similar speed as a cable modem. Its a great option for me as there is no DSL or Cable service at my house. Even with AOL, I can use Internet Explorer seperate from AOL and post or do whatever I need to without playing with AOL's browser. Its a great service.

If its your only other option, go for it. It sux not having high speed access.

 

[SimMike2]

so does tivo... doesn't it?

I think Tivo only dials in occasionally and quickly uploads what you viewed. With the AOL internet, you have to actually be dialed into AOL to get internet. This ties up your phone line, which means many people will opt for two phone lines. Tivo probably only calls for a couple of minutes per day.

 

[MIDIman]

Originally posted by: OakindIf its your only other option, go for it. It sux not having high speed access.

How much did you pay and where can I get more information / price / availablity, etc.

thx

 

[solarsx]

does anyone know of a good 2 way Satellite internet service?

 

[Sneezer]

One other option, maybe, is Verizon's new Expressnet service. $99/month unlimited access for wireless internet. Speed is 144k I think. Not as good as DSL/Cable, but pretty good for using a laptop in the middle of nowhere, providing you get a good signal.

 

[Colie]

I bought one of these last evening, 7-11-02, at the the Florence, Ky. OD for $4.88. When I called the guy said they only had one but as I was leaving with my antenna, I noticed that they had another one out and it was also marked $4.88. Quite a deal.

 

[kermalou]

Originally posted by: MIDIman

Originally posted by: kermalou
i was a beta tester for this service and let me tell you it has sucked since day 1. this garbage service needs the phone line connected to it at all times.

1) what were the download speeds like? Upload at 56k is fine by me...

2) since you're connected via modem, can you use another ISP - or is the modem connected to AOL as well? i..e most Sat services require the modem being connected via ANY ISP, regardless what company it is.

I thought this might be a nice solution for me - I live in the middle of nowhere (actually only a few miles away from the next area code), and have only two ISP's available to me; a local crappy one at $20/month and Juno. Believe it or not, AOL is not an option for me here via modem. We won't be getting high speed anything at least until 2004 if not later.

1. download speed were good, but it is also dependant on weather.

2. you have to use AOL, no other ISP is compatible.

3. there were also way tooooo many lags and software bugs, even with new software fixes. and also, it was really expensive, don't know about the price now though.

 

[btaki]

Originally posted by: CocoGdog
Don't shoot the messenger. I went to the local OD and found that they had a clearence running for the AOL Direct PC Satellite Dish and USB Modem for $19.95. If your area s*cks like mine with no DSL or Cable modem service, then this might be your only connection to high speed internet.

Other info:

Cost per month: $54.00 (total unlimited AOL) compared to $49.00/$39.00 for DSL/Cable prices
Download: 400kps
Upload: 56kps (needs modem connected all the time s*cks too)

I also went to Circuit City and they had the same dish configuration for $149.00. There's a 1-800 number to setup free installation so you don't have to set it up yourself but it's possible to do the work yourself. Even if you don't set it up, $19.95 is great for a satellite looking thing with a satellite modem thing. Just ask the salesman, they might have a couple in stock because it didn't sell well at all.

do you know that 1800 # i couldn't find it ,and i need some help to install the kit .

 

[CocoGdog]

Update:

Still waiting on Office Depot to call me to setup the "free" installation. They use a third party company to install it that have sinced changed names (Benchmark, now something else). If you are having problems with the installation, call Office Depot and complain to the manager or head technical salesman. Usually they will accomodate to the best they can, if all else fails, return the unit for a complete refund - a win win situation.

 

[Colie]

I bought one of these on july 11 after reading about it here. I did not get a coupon for free installation at the time. While visiting another forum to try to obtain info on installation, I was told that I should have gotten free installation from Office Depot. I called Office Depot and was told that the coupon for free installation expired on June 30. Anyone else run into this.