Internet

[dralltop]

I'm looking for suggestions on the best way to connect to the internet while traveling. How available is WiFi at camp grounds and the usual cost? Should I stay with dial-up? All help is appreciated.

DRALLTOP

[whodo]

Wi-fi availability will vary greatly across the country, many parks that claim to have wi-fi, in reality actually only have limited wi-fi that only covers a limited area of the park. Cost for wi-fi use will also vary from park to park, many advertise free wi-fi, but it is actually just added to the price of the daily stay. I have seen wi-fi costing as much as $3 per day, and I'm sure there is other places that actually charge more than that. Having a dial-up account only helps if the park you are at happens to have a phone connection available.
If internet access is really needed, I would suggest considering either a "Air-Card" or "Satellite internet".

[dadburnett]

I started out 3 yrs ago relying on WiFi - having to go to libraries, etc. Switched to Hughes Net Internet Satellite Dish (tripod unit) which worked great (fast, always on) wherever I had line of sight access. However, it did not fit the way we travel - short stays requiring constant takedown and setup. In the meantime WiFi became more available, but I've paid as much as $7 for 24 hrs. About half the time I've found free WiFi. We have Verizon and have since changed to VZAccess for Internet wuth a USB720 modem(aircard) which has worked well in metro and remote areas of Oregon. (Now I'm lugging around a Hughes Net dish setup in my "basement."
Bottom line - it also depends on how much (often) you need access, where you are going and how long you are staying.

[papahog]

I tried WIFI and it did not always work and is not secure. I switched to Verizon Wireless internet card and have been happy as a clam.

I live in Oregon but am on the road constantly and my access has always been there for me. I am in North Carolina right now and all the way across the country and up and down the East Coast I have always been able to hook up to the internet on the very first try.

While I am parked I leave it on all the time. 12/7 and the cost to me is 60 dollars a month. Well worth the security and reliability in my thinking. All banking and bill paying is done on my computer.

I would not trade it for anything.

[dralltop]

Thank you everyone for the info. I think I'm going to stick with dial up through my cell phone, and use WiFi if available at a good cost (free).

DRALLTOP

[whodo]

Thank you everyone for the info. I think I'm going to stick with dial up through my cell phone, and use WiFi if available at a good cost (free). DRALLTOP
You have one other option if your phone is data capable, tether your phone to your laptop with a data cable and use it in that manner. In doing so, you are not using your air time minutes. Using this method your phone acts as a data card, only down side will be data speed is limited to 1xRTT being no one has a 1xEVDO RevA phone on the market as yet, but even at that your speed will be 3-4 times faster than dial-up.

[dralltop]

I found the answer and whodo was on the spot. T-MOBILE has a internet option to use my phone as a modem. Doesn't take my minutes and at 19.99 a month for unlimited access, its a good buy. No other ISP is needed and it allows me to use the T-MOBILE HOT SPOTs via wifi when available. Where ever I have a T-mobile signal I can get on the internet and I was surprised at the speed.

[scrappycrafter]

Wish I had known about T-Mobile. I can still change. Does it work everywhere? We tethered our Verizon phones, free of charge since 2002, now they say that was a glitch and we have to pay $60.00 a month for the air card (which is a usb, I am trying for a month, we do like it, but don't like the cost. You can do it for free until you get a new phone,. they say they will get everyone eventually, hey, they gave it to us, anyway, I can put it on vacation, I have heard 3 months or 6 months, so when we go to Iowa for the summer I can get wifi in the park for $20.00. We had free wifi until we got to AZ, they want $4.00 a day many places, $18.00 to $30.00 a month many places, we are going to travel most of the winter, so the air card is what we are using. We are under contract with Verizon for 1 1/2 years, so are kind of stuck, since we each have a phone. Good luck, Judy

[whodo]

scrappycrafter
Unfortunately T-mobile doesn't have the "data coverage" that Verizon, Sprint or Alltel has. T-mobile & AT&T use the "edge technology" and are compatible with each other. Sprint, Alltel, Verizon use "EVDO/1xRTT technology" and are compatible with each other, which allows you to roam on each different carriers system. Now what this all means is area of coverage and speed at which you can connect is far greater than that of T-mobile an AT&T.
Depending upon where you travel will determine which system will work best for you. (Do not mistake "Data coverage" for "Cell Phone coverage", you can have one and not the other. :eek: )

[dralltop]

SO FAR SO GOOD. I haven't had any problems, where ever my cell has coverage I have been able to dial into the internet. So works for me, even in canada.

:)

[elmosmommy]

we also had this question about internet, and while I dont need it everyday would sure like to have it if possible, so as far as I can figure , we would need verizon wireless Internet ??? , we wont have phones with us, so my next question is can anyone tell me where to buy a verizon internet card in washington or oregon, we are in canada , so will buy one on our first day in the States

[whodo]

elmosmommy
Being you are Canadians, you are going to run into a couple of problems attempting to purchase a "air-card" or "cell-phone" service in the U.S. from Verizon. You are required to have a Social Security number and a U.S. address for billing. There are ways around this though.
Contact Verizon for more information and assistance. Go to there web site at http://www22.verizon.com/

[lissa]

i'm new to rv'ing and am researching what to do about internet service - so far a usb card from verizon etc seem like the best - but expensive - but in some of the posts there was a mention of using your cell phone and tetering it to your computer?? and that it has to be a data cell phone - how do i tell if i have a data cell phone? and how does this tetering to computer work? without using minutes or for that matter how do i even connect my cell phone to my computer - like equipment needed. :confused: any help would be appreciated - tx

[whodo]

lissa
in some of the posts there was a mention of using your cell phone and tetering it to your computer?? and that it has to be a data cell phone - how do i tell if i have a data cell phone? and how does this tetering to computer work? without using minutes or for that matter how do i even connect my cell phone to my computer - like equipment needed.

First you need a cell phone that is data capable, other wise you will be using your air time minutes. You will need to check your owners manual (the book that comes with the phone that no one ever reads :eek: ) and see if it is listed as data capable or contact your cell provider tech support.
Tethering a phone to a computer is just a simple cable that plugs into the phone and into the computer. (different phones use different cables, so make sure you get one that is made for your phone.)

Now a couple of items to remember:
1) Depending upon your cell phone service provider, some will allow you to tether your phone for a small monthly fee and others will charge the same as a data card.
2) Tethering your phone to your computer will only give you 1rxtt coverage speed at best (even the new apple i-phone) which is only about 3 times as fast as dial-up, a air card will allow you to connect to EVDO (where available) at speeds comparable to DSL or better.
3) If your cell phone provider is one of the ones that charge the same for data service regardless of it being through a cell phone or a Air Card, you are better off purchasing a Air Card and having access to the faster upload - download speeds, and in addition not having your cell phone tied up while on the internet (you can surf and talk at the same time).

[lissa]

thanks :) for the quick replay but now i have more questions - i did locate my owners manual (that was a challenge :p ) and my phone does data but with optional equipment, it says, which i gather is the air card/pc card/broadband - so that would be the 60.00 a month- i think thats how it works. I have verizon and my contract is up but at this time i don't need a new phone - in a year when i retire and go full time my situation will be different and i will probably do the pc card.
If i teter thru my cell phone and am using my minutes why would verizon charge me more ea month - what difference does it make if i am talking on the phone or using the phone connection to connect my computer? on the teter, where does it plug into the computer is it a usb? do you think it would be something i could get from radio shack? tx again

[whodo]

lissa
If i teter thru my cell phone and am using my minutes why would verizon charge me more ea month - what difference does it make if i am talking on the phone or using the phone connection to connect my computer? on the teter, where does it plug into the computer is it a usb? do you think it would be something i could get from radio shack?

Every cell service provider has there own rules and reasons for those rules. You will have to either call Verizon or go to there web site to understand there plans and rules.
If you tether your phone to a computer with out a data plan you will be using your minutes of air time and be connected at a slow dial up speed.
Most tether cords have a plug to match your phone on one end and a USB or a com port connector on the other end. As far as being available from Radio Shack ??? maybe, maybe not, you will have to check with them.
You can go to this web site http://www.3gcables.com/ and read about the difference's and cables that are available.

[dinah]

We have had Verizon phones ever since we went full time. At first, we used the data tether during the 'free' times (nites and weekends). Never did figure out how to do the 'data' thing during prime time--they charged against our minutes!

2 years ago, we bought the Verizon PCMCI aircard. Bought it cheap at Best Buy where they set it up with its own phone #. Verizon charges $60 a month for this, but it's SO much better than using the data tether. In the old days, we were connecting at about 14.4bps! With the card it runs around 115bps more or less. Broadband where available. That $60 gives us 24/7 unlimited access a month. Verizon's coverage is very good. Even in weak areas, we still get internet access, most of the time. They have better cards with booster antennas, now--which is on our list of things to get, soon!

Hope that helps someone. :)

[cherlark]

We started traveling with the Mobile Office connection from Verizon. It used minutes from our phone plan, so we tended to wait until after 9pm when the minutes were free. It didn't cost anything extra per month. However, it was so slow that we lost patience with it. We considered getting a phone card for our laptop, but we have been in several places where there was no phone reception at all (Big Bend National Park). We settled on Hughes satellite internet and don't regret it. There was an initial purchase price, but the monthly charge is the same as the charge for the phone card, but we are assured of internet service as long as there is an open southern sky (not hard to find). It takes 10 minutes to set up and another couple of minutes to find a signal. We try to stay two or more whenever we stop, so we aren't setting up and taking down daily.

[clayl]

i'm new to rv'ing and am researching what to do about internet service - so far a usb card from verizon etc seem like the best - but expensive - but in some of the posts there was a mention of using your cell phone and tetering it to your computer?? and that it has to be a data cell phone - how do i tell if i have a data cell phone? and how does this tetering to computer work? without using minutes or for that matter how do i even connect my cell phone to my computer - like equipment needed. :confused: any help would be appreciated - tx

If you go to this site http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByCellPhone/ you can read all about tethering.
Look on the left side of the page for "Files"

This is a small excerpt from the "History of Verizon Backdoor Access" found under Files.

In mid summer of 2008, Verizon replaced their "America’s Choice"
Plan with what they call their "Nationwide" Plan. The new Plan adds
tethered handset data connectivity with most voice Roaming Partners
such as Sprint and Alltel. The downside is that there’s no longer any
free "Backdoor" access. With a "Nationwide" Plan, any tethered
internet use is a Data call with a mandatory charge of $1.99/megabyte
unless a Data feature has been enabled at a cost of $59.99/mo. The Data
Features for a tethered handsets are "BroadbandAccess Connect" for an
EVDO phone, or "NationalAccess Connect" for a 1xRTT phone.
Currently, it appears existing subscribers will remain on the old
America’s Choice Plan with no change in Backdoor access until they
make a change in their plan such as getting a new phone and starting
a new contract. This newly implemented "Nationwide" Plan therefore
marks the final beginning of the end of Verizon Backdoor Access.



Note that Verizon has rendered all/most data capable phones incapable of being tethered without a data plan.
The phones can be hacked but that invalidates the warranty.

[maryea]

We have had Verizon phones ever since we went full time. At first, we used the data tether during the 'free' times (nites and weekends). Never did figure out how to do the 'data' thing during prime time--they charged against our minutes!

2 years ago, we bought the Verizon PCMCI aircard. Bought it cheap at Best Buy where they set it up with its own phone #. Verizon charges $60 a month for this, but it's SO much better than using the data tether. In the old days, we were connecting at about 14.4bps! With the card it runs around 115bps more or less. Broadband where available. That $60 gives us 24/7 unlimited access a month. Verizon's coverage is very good. Even in weak areas, we still get internet access, most of the time. They have better cards with booster antennas, now--which is on our list of things to get, soon!

Hope that helps someone. :)

I agree that Verizon with external (plug-in) air card is very good when traveling but it cost me $67 a month with tax and all and I had to sign a years contract. This was fine when traveling but we are not full-timers and when we got home, it kept disconnecting...I could reconnect right away but it got to be a nuisance. So I finally asked to be let out of the contract and because a tech agreed that I'm in a bad area, they did waiver the fee for breaking the contract. If you don't use an external card, you don't have to have a contract but using your phone will not only tie up your phone (not a problem for us as we have two phones) but it runs more slowly (this is a problem to me). So I don't know what I am going to do next winter when we go out again with the RV. The wi-fi in the parks is free (in most of our parks) but it is very unreliable.

[sjt43]

elliteWe started traveling with the Mobile Office connection from Verizon. It used minutes from our phone plan, so we tended to wait until after 9pm when the minutes were free. It didn't cost anything extra per month. However, it was so slow that we lost patience with it. We considered getting a phone card for our laptop, but we have been in several places where there was no phone reception at all (Big Bend National Park). We settled on Hughes satellite internet and don't regret it. There was an initial purchase price, but the monthly charge is the same as the charge for the phone card, but we are assured of internet service as long as there is an open southern sky (not hard to find). It takes 10 minutes to set up and another couple of minutes to find a signal. We try to stay two or more whenever we stop, so we aren't setting up and taking down daily.

Hay, I am interested in the Hughes sat for our rv. Could you tell me if they have any equipment for the rv. All that I can find is for the home, is it the same equipment that you use for your rv. me.jst43@peoplepc.com[/email]

[smokeybear]

SJT43,

HugheNet Internet is what I have as well. The System that is considered Mobile Friendly is called Motosat Which is a system mounted on the Roof of any RV... I've even seen it mounted on a Truck Slide in Camper.

It's pretty costly in my view. It runs around $5,000.00 for the equipment and there would be an installation cost. The monthly charge is some where around $79.00 for the Internet service only... if you decided to run your Dish TV off it as well... there would be additional charge for that service as well.

I have, like many others... to use a Tri Pod mounted system. I was able to purchase mine at Quartzsite Arizona, at their RV show. There are many dealers across the country that also sell this type of Dish system.

It is still HugheNet... but with out their full blessing. All that means to me is I don't call HugheNet when I may have a question. I call the dealer I purchased it from. HugheNet knows well how many of these Tri Pod mounted systems are out there and how many are moving about the country. Check out Datastorm user's Forum... you'll be able to see by the The Interactive Datastorm Users Location Map just how many are out there !

Here is Datastorm's Web site:

http://www.datastormusers.com/

Here is the web site for Motosat:

http://www.motosat.com/

My System cost me around $1,400.00 for the equipment and runs $63.00 monthly for the Internet service. Set up time for me.... is usually about 20 to 30 minutes from dragging the stuff out of the truck... to logging on line.

I hope this helps you... I answered here so others could read as well... If you have more questions... post again or private message me...

Marv

[locksmith]

How are the speeds? I'm almost ready to purchase verizon.

[sjt43]

marv thks alot, If like the idea, now I have to work on the DW so here I go.Wish me luck. sjt

[clayl]

How are the speeds? I'm almost ready to purchase verizon.

The speeds for the home plan are from close to not as high as the Verizon broadband access speeds. SEEhttp://www.nationwidesatellite.com/ and scroll down.
They show 1000 Kbps max download and 128 Kbps max upload speed.

Verizon speeds are:
Broadband Access, 400 to 700 kbps with bursts up to 2000 kbps.
In speed tests I usually get over 1000 Kbps.
Upload speeds are 300 to 400 Kbps.

If you are in not in a broadband area the speeds drop to:
National Access, 60 to 80 kbps with bursts up to 144 kbps.

We travel all over the country and are usually in a broadband access area.
It used to be restricted to urban areas but Verizon has deployed broadband over a lot of the U.S. now.

[smokeybear]

With out a doubt HugheNet is not as fast as Broadband... or Cable... when they are working their best. But I have been very pleased with the service. For all I do... it's fine for me.

Here is a link to HugheNet's Question & Answer site:

http://www.gethughesnet.com/faqs.cfm

That will do a far better level of answering the questions most folks have.

Marv