Posted on 02/06/2006 3:05:20 PM PST by alnick
I've moved to an area where neither DSL nor cable internet is available. It appears that my only high speed options are DirectWay or Wild Blue, both satellite.
I'd love to hear some feedback from users or former users of these services.
Thanks.
I have Direcway at home. It is MUCH better than dialup. Not as wonderful as cable internet.
The new equipment is also faster.
It will go out in a storm quicker than the satellite TV. But it really has to be nasty out and your computer should be off any way at that point.
All I can tell you is that I have a satellite dish and modem for a company who provides internet service. And when I went to their website to see about signing up, I quickly changed my mind.
The cost PER MONTH was $550!!!!
Whoa!
Thanks Abner.
Cell phone companies are beginning to offer home internet service, so if you can get a cell signal, that might be an alternative.
Ouch! The cost per month I'm looking at for either Wild Blue or Direct Way is in the $50 - 70 range.
Up front between $400 and $600.
Sigh. I miss my cable.
I've had Direcway for about a year and a half. I like it lots.The only problems we've had are from time to time we move into an area where the signal is difficult to lock on to. I've had to call for help in those instances.
No experience but I think this type connections are used by motor home owners a lot. You may check with some of them.
Well, the satellite dish and modem was something that my sister had picked up in a house hold sale which she gave to me.
Needless to say. It's sitting 'unused' in the backyard!
:0)
I was thinking of looking into wireless cellular service, but I don't know if I can get it in my area. . . It's one of those things that I will have to know someone else that has it first.
Cable is better for internet, Satellite better for TV, JMHO.
Naturally, there's lag time in the satellite connection so it's not so great with games, but everything else should be cool and froody.
Wireless DSL companies (using Motorola Canopy technology) have been popping up in many rural areas. Find out if that is available where you're at. It may be the best choice and less expensive.
I'm considering that. Cingular is the only provider out here that has close to decent reception for cell phones. Their Edge internet service costs $80 per month, and that's for 100 - 130K speeds. The 130K is the highest speed availabe. For $10 per month I'm getting 50k with dialup. Plus Cingular wants a 2-year commitment.
I'm going to be telecommuting for the company I worked for back home, so I'm going to need something better than dial-up, but what Cingular is offering doesn't seem worth it.
I've also checked ISDN, which is about 125k, and that would be $60 per month for the service plus $40 a month for the ISDN telephone line.
I love living out in the country, but I hate this part of it.
I would love cable internet... My driveway is 1300 feet long.... My installation bill would be cost prohibitive at the moment.
What's the going rate for Starband now?
The main thing I'm hoping to be able to do with the satellite connection is to use logmein.com. It will allow me to take remote control of the computer at the office I worked in when I lived in Louisiana. It will make my life much easier if I can find a way to do that efficiently. DIalup does not work with Logmein.com AT ALL. :-(
I have used Direcway quite a bit. It is just fine for browsing & downloading, but it is no good for latency sensitive operations. This means online "twitch" games, VOIP, and VPN applications are pretty much unusable.
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