OT: Rural Internet

[RivaDawg]

https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/205120/ (First attempt at linking an older thread. If link doesn't work search for OT: Rural Internt thread from October 23, 2019.

After reading this thread, I purchased the MoFi 4500 Sim4 Router mentioned in the reddit thread that was linked and have been very pleased with the results. First tried a T-Mobile sim card and got good results; 4 Meg (compared to <1 Meg from ATT U-Verse). Took the sim card out of my phone (ATT) and it was faster (10Meg). I have purchased an AT&T sim card to put in the router, but haven't done it yet. Have been pleased with the results so far. Streaming 2 TV's, 2 phones, and 2 iPads with no significant delays.

I am not a tech person and set up was rather easy. I ran into one problem, called the customer service line after hours, no answer, did not leave a message, but they called me back in about 5 minutes from seeing my number on caller id and walked me through it.

 

[dickiedawg]

We got Sardistel based on (I think) that same thread at my Dad's place in Clay County. It has worked decently well- we did have an equipment issue that really frustrated him, their after-hours tech support is basically nonexistent and he wasn't home during the day. So we were out more than a week on a pretty simple thing, but all in all it's been fine.

 

[garddog]

Do you have a limit on how many gigs per month? And if not, what is the cost for unlimited?

 

[RivaDawg]

Do you have a limit on how many gigs per month? And if not, what is the cost for unlimited?

No limit. They say they will slow it down during heavy network traffic, but haven’t noticed a difference. It runs about $60/month.

 

[garddog]

Sounds like that is as cheap as you can get rural. Good to know.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

It’s also really shady. You’re kinda bending the rules by using a sim card that way.

 

[RivaDawg]

It’s also really shady. You’re kinda bending the rules by using a sim card that way.

Really? Was not aware. I just assumed like it would be using like a personal hotspot.

 

[Nicephorus]

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service apparently still on schedule to start service later this year. Be curious what their pricing and equipment costs will be. Seem to be oriented towards rural internet service. Unlike current satellite providers, they are using hundreds of interconnected very low orbit satellites to supposedly provide much faster and responsive satellite internet than what is currently available.

https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/29/s...ts-starlink-satellite-internet-constellation/

 

[catvet]

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service apparently still on schedule to start service later this year. Be curious what their pricing and equipment costs will be. Seem to be oriented towards rural internet service. Unlike current satellite providers, they are using hundreds of interconnected very low orbit satellites to supposedly provide much faster and responsive satellite internet than what is currently available.

https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/29/s...ts-starlink-satellite-internet-constellation/

That would be great if the price is reasonable. Viasat/Exede is pretty good but can run you 200 a month for decent service in some places. That's crazy

 

[80 Dawg]

I've also been pleased with the MoFi 4500 router. I purchase service from https://www.otrmobile.com/ which runs $60/mo for unlimited service. If you have a good lte reception, you can get some pretty fast speeds.

Here is a site that is loaded with good info: https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/

 

[tenureplan]

I would imagine upload speeds would still suck going this route.