Has anyone used satellite internet for rural areas without cable options?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores experiences and opinions regarding the use of satellite internet and alternative options for internet access in rural areas lacking cable services. Participants share their personal experiences with various providers and discuss the associated costs, hardware requirements, and service reliability.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses a strong aversion to returning to dial-up and seeks information on satellite internet options.
  • Another participant shares their positive experience with Cingular/AT&T wireless, highlighting its portability and unlimited service for $59.99 a month.
  • One user inquires about the necessary hardware and speed for satellite internet service.
  • A participant mentions using an adapter for their service, noting the speed is comparable to DSL and expressing satisfaction with the service despite a 24-month contract requirement.
  • Another participant notes that local cell phone providers may offer better options than satellite, citing their experience with slower speeds from Altell compared to cable.
  • One participant indicates they are in a poor service area and recalls their choice of US Cellular for better coverage.
  • Another user expresses enthusiasm about the topic and indicates they are looking into options.
  • One participant shares their sister's experience with satellite internet, mentioning high upfront costs but overall satisfaction with the service.
  • A participant discusses their experience with DirectWay, noting a monthly fee of about $60 but frequent service interruptions during storms.
  • Another user mentions a high initial setup cost for satellite internet in their area, leading them to choose dial-up instead.
  • One participant shares their experience with Hughesnet, noting a $600 setup fee and a monthly fee of $56, expressing satisfaction with the speed and service.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness and cost of satellite internet versus other options like wireless services. Some participants express satisfaction with their chosen services, while others highlight challenges such as high upfront costs and service reliability issues.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences based on their specific rural locations, which influence their internet service options and satisfaction levels.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for Pampered Chef consultants and others in rural areas seeking insights on internet service options and personal experiences with satellite and wireless providers.

MomToEli
MomToEli
Messages
1,003
We are moving back to the country - just outside the range of cable (I have phone, DSL and cable bundled). So, I have to figure out how to get all of this services separately.

I do NOT want to go back to dial-up :grumpy: That leaves me with satellite. Anyone have any experience with this? Recommended carriers? Costs? Pitfalls?

With P3, my website and an internet based application that I use for my other company I really can NOT go to dial-up ...

On the up side, I now have a 13' island in my kitchen :D I get counter space and cupboard space!!!! YEAH!!!! :D
 
We live in the country too & didn't have the option for DSL. I checked into several different satellite options & none of them worked for us. I finally came across cingular/att wireless. I love it! It works just like a cell phone using cell signals.

We have great cell service in our house, so it works perfect. It's great for with our laptop because it's portable. Anywhere there's cell service, we have internet! We used it driving down the highway to get directions on a trip that we took. (DH was driving, I was looking up directions).

Anyway, it's $59.99 a month & doesn't use cell minutes. It's unlimited.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Ok, my interest is peaked :) What do you need to have for service (hardware wise)? What about speed?
 
We have an adapter that plugs into a usb port on the machine. It came with software that's needed to make the connection work. The adapter we have was $89.99. They have one that's less expensive (like $49.99), but it only worked for the laptop & I wanted one that was compatible with both machines.

Speed is pretty quick. I'm talking as quick as dsl. I definitely don't have any complaints with it. Wait, maybe one. We added it to our existing cell plan & had to sign a 24 month contract. But, my dsl service wasn't going to be available before then, so I didn't mind.

We've had it for a month & I'm really happy with it.
 
I agree with Crystal, I would take a look into your local cell phone providers that have good signal at your house. We looked into Altell, it was slower than our cable (we are at 5 meg) but a lot faster than dial up...i think we got speeds of 750 k at our house.

Satellite was just waaaayyy to expensive for internet by us. But I love them for TV..plus they have the NFL network :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Well, geez. I've just checked coverage. We are in a poor service area. I remember now why I went with US Cellular - better coverage in more of the areas we live around. I'll have to check with them and see if they have anything available.
 
This sounds Perfect for me! I am looking into it now! Thanks for bringing this up!
 
What about through Sprint? Do they have coverage in your area? Maybe with the Pampered Perks thing it wouldn't be so expensive?
 
Paulette - we really love the service. It works great! A bonus that I hadn't thought about was that I take my laptop to shows. If I had a host that wanted to submit from their house & I had cell service, I could! :)
 
My sister had it in Alabama. She had to pay $700 up front for all the set up fees and then it was like $70 a month or something like that. She was pleased with it though!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #11
I'm going to check with US Cell - we get a good strong signal at the house.

On the satellite, the start up costs now are about $250, but it is still $70 a month.
 
We have DirectWay - all we can get at our house is satellite. It is about $60 a month.

Downfall is that we ALWAYS lose it during a storm.
 
We were told in our area in MO, we'd have to pay $600 up front for just equipment first before we could pay just the monthly fee...guess who went with slow dial up instead. Your upfront fees probably vary with who you're going through.
 
We have ours through Hughesnet. The inital set up was $600 and it's $56/month. There was an option that you could pay more per month for 2 years and only $100 for the initial set up - which is basically purchasing the equipment. I love it, I would say it is as fast as DSL and I will never go back to dial-up again! :)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is satellite internet and how does it work in rural areas?

Satellite internet is a type of internet connection that uses satellites to provide service to users. In rural areas where traditional cable or DSL options are unavailable, satellite internet can be a viable solution. It works by sending and receiving data from a satellite in orbit, which then connects to a ground station that provides internet access.

Is satellite internet reliable for rural users?

Satellite internet can be reliable, but it may be affected by weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow, which can disrupt the signal. Additionally, latency can be higher compared to cable or fiber options due to the distance the data must travel to and from the satellite. However, many users find it sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and video calls.

What are the typical speeds offered by satellite internet providers?

Most satellite internet providers offer speeds ranging from 12 Mbps to 100 Mbps, depending on the plan chosen. While these speeds can support basic internet activities, they may not be ideal for heavy users or households with multiple devices streaming simultaneously.

Are there any data caps associated with satellite internet?

Yes, many satellite internet providers impose data caps on their plans. Once users exceed their data limit, they may experience reduced speeds or additional charges. It's important to review the terms of service and choose a plan that fits your internet usage needs.

How does satellite internet compare to other rural internet options?

Compared to other rural internet options like fixed wireless or mobile hotspots, satellite internet can offer wider coverage but may have higher latency and data caps. Fixed wireless can provide faster speeds with lower latency, but its availability is limited to specific areas. Ultimately, the best option depends on the specific needs and location of the user.

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