Cellular internet for rural area

[tatteredpotato]

My parents have been using an aircard purchased form Alltel several years ago for their main internet connection (aircard -> Win7 PC -> router (via ICS)) since cable and DSL are not available in their area. Now that VZW is killing off their Alltel data plan (with unlimited data), they're in need of a new solution.

I would expect their monthly usage to be around 30-40 gigs (lots of netflix streamed through it). There is no sprint coverage where they live, so that's out of the question. Most satellite internet offerings I've found have data caps around 20G/month for somewhere around $90 so they're aren't very appealing either.

I noticed TMobile just reverted back to unlimited data plans and looks like a possible contender (I'm not sure what TMobile reception is like for them, however it appears like there is a TMobile tower 4 miles away). The unlimited plan they're pushing on their site is for smartphones only (I tried adding an "internet device", but it said it wasn't compatible). Is there a better solution for them than purchasing a smartphone just to leave tethered to the PC (and do these new plans allow tethering)? Or are there better plans for a datacard because the data plans I saw maxed out at 10G/month before throttling.

 

[shortylickens]

In your special case I think a smartphone with unlimited data is going to be all you can do.

Should also note that with regards to netflix I dont think you will get the best quality over cellular, but obviously that hasnt been a problem up to this point. The good news is Tmobile has the fastest 3g so you should be OK.

 

[tatteredpotato]

In your special case I think a smartphone with unlimited data is going to be all you can do.

Should also note that with regards to netflix I dont think you will get the best quality over cellular, but obviously that hasnt been a problem up to this point. The good news is Tmobile has the fastest 3g so you should be OK.

Interesting... what's T-Mobile's tethering policy?

 

[shortylickens]

Am pretty sure they do NOT have unlimited free tethering.

 

[Lemon law]

I am in your parents boat, I may have excellent result with Verizon data in terms of speed, with the 10 GB cap for $80.00/ month. But still its that 10GB cap the limit what I can do with the excellent speeds.

There still may be some hope for your parents, if they can purchase a verizon branded 3G modem, do a esn swap, and keep their unlimited plan. If your parents had done so six moths ago, they probaly could have done so, but now Verizon is cracking down on the practice. And doing everything to crawfish out of their contractual obligation. As its possible there may be a class action lawsuit over it.

The other option would be to try T-mobile, but make sure they can long term deliver before signing any contracts. And sadly, while Verizon 4G data maps are very accurate,
T mobile coverage maps are a pack of lies.

Otherwise

 

[vshah]

tmobile doesn't allow tethering on their new unlimited plans. you may get away with it, but you might also be asked to stop or dropped as a customer.

 

[Viper GTS]

Verizon Home Fusion has 30 GB for $120 I think. As others have mentioned tethering is specifically prohibited on T-Mo's new plans so no go there.

Bottom line is streaming over cellular broadband is going to be $$$.

Switch to a DVD plan to cut your bandwidth down?

Viper GTS

 

[heymrdj]

Hughes? WildBlue?

 

[Lemon law]

To expand on what Viper GTS mentioned , here is a expansion on Verizon home fusion details.

http://www.evdoforums.com/thread15704.html

 

[cardiac]

I have a nephew that is moving out in the country in the next few months. He is handicapped and relies on the internet for some income. Nothing out there at all. How would the Verizon MiFi work? Is it cost prohibitive? I have a good 3g signal at his new location. (No 4g). 10gb for $60 a month...

 

[soccerballtux]

your best bet is get on an expensive 2year contract ($120+) with Verizon for 4G if it's in your area. Unlimited minutes, messaging, and the max data plan. When you're giving them $120 every month they tend to be pretty relaxed about the tethering as far as I can tell, but that's just anecdotal evidence from a guy here who was pumping 90+GB/month through tethering.

 

[Lemon law]

I have a nephew that is moving out in the country in the next few months. He is handicapped and relies on the internet for some income. Nothing out there at all. How would the Verizon MiFi work? Is it cost prohibitive? I have a good 3g signal at his new location. (No 4g). 10gb for $60 a month...

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I have some experience in that area, as I bought a Verizon MIFI 2200 modem on the used market, did a ESN swap, and kept on the same no contract month by month plan. And by so doing, I could receive a 5GB data cap per month for $50.00 instead of $60, or a 10GB data cap for $80.00 a month.

But the MIFI 2200 can also be used as a 3G Verizon USB router that can only power one computer or one router, or as a MIFI hotspot able to offer internet access to up to 5 wireless enabled computer devices. Since my desktop computers were not wirelessly capable, I bought a inexpensive USB device to make desktops wirelessly capable.

When 4G came to my area, I held my nose and signed a 2 year contract and got a far better 4620L MIFI modem thrown in for $50.00 after rebates. And got basically a 10X speed increase over 3G. But sadly the same monthly caps and prices.

The disadvantages of the Verizon MIFI 2200 modem is that it lacks an external antenna port, not a real problem if your Verizon tower is close and gives you better than 3 signal bars, but one might consider a better verison 4G MIFI 4510L or 4620L that both would future proof and offer an external antenna port. Sadly, because it new, the 4620L would probably cost at least $200.00 on the used market, the 4510L would cost $70.00+ shipped on the used market, the the MIFI 2200, with careful shopping, could be had on the Used market for $40.00 or less.( I was in no hurry and nailed on got my MIFI 2200 for $20 shipped ) Just make sure the seller guarantees a clean ESN. And yes all verizon 4G modems are backwards compatible to 3G.

 

[cardiac]

Thanks for the info, Lemon law. I don't want to point him down the satellite path, so Verizon MiFi might be his only salvation. It will be 3G only, unless I can build a small yagi antenna and use the 4510L or 4620L and hit a tower that is about 10 miles away. Tru-Connect MiFi is stupid expensive (Approx $200 for 5gb), and is 3G only. I have about 6 weeks to figure this out for him (He is a mechanical genius - but a computer noob).

Thanks,

Bob

 

[Lemon law]

To Bob,

With the MIFI 2200 you actually do have an antenna option with an external device called a Wilson sleek which is a proximity antenna.

Basiclly you plug an external antnna into the antenna port of the Wilson sleek, and then add AC power, which allows the Wilson sleek to amplify the signal some. Then you place the MIFI 2200 right next to the Wilson sleek so it can read the amplified signal. Priced at $99.99 currently at the 3G store. http://www.evdoforums.com/ In terms of the evdo forums, it a commercial for pofit forum but still a great place to learn.

And one other thing, usually all Verizon 3G towers operate on the 850 MHZ band which may be needed information to build an antenna.