Wireless Airtime cards vs. Sattelite internet

[Ranger Dave]

I live 13 miles from town. My dial-up connection speed is 18 kilobytes per second on a good day. I am debating wireless airtime card or sattelite. Would like to hear pros and cons on both. Any and all help is appreciated.

[Pathfinder]

No DSL available either, I presume.

Some areas have rf-based capabilities, which is what I used out north of Mandan where DSL was not available.

I've used the Verizon card for work, very handy at airports so I didn't have to spend $10 an hour of internet service. Never had an issue or problem, not even a dead zone. This applies only to air cards from 3 years ago, cannot vouch for the new G3 cards.

Never used satellite, but I understand it is a mite slower than the air cards. Since I do have satellite TV, they are hinky when it comes to storms.

[Texas_Bryan]

You wireless card through the cell phone company does pretty well, if its available in your area.  I'd stay away from satellite unless you've already got its television.  And your internet transfer rates are measure in bits, 18 kilobits per second.  I'd go with the card.

[r_w]

I have satellite internet and have used a wireless aircard.  Satellite is WAY faster (I can actually get megabit download speeds), but it has so much delay (satellite uplink, too) that sometimes it doesn't work right.  It used to work through moderate rains, but a big storm actually moved the dish and I have never gotten it re-aimed properly so it drops at a drizzle

My suggestion is to TRY an aircard first--most have a week or two return policy.  Take it home and hammer it to see if it works or if it bogs down.

[Ranger Dave]

Thanks for the input

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

I know satellite TV goes out in rain very easy.

[garand4life]

Be careful... the internet cards from Verizon, AT&T, sprint and so on typically have a limit on how much it can be used in a month before charging insane overage rates. This can be one of those mis stated things in the sales pitch. Ask direct questions at the retailer about this. But yes the inet cards in 3G are excellent if you are in a 3G coverage area. AT&T has the fastest but not the biggest coverage area.

[twyacht]

It's the damn 2 year contracts that ruin them. I had the 3G AT&T USB insert, yeah it worked fine, but I wasn;t getting $68.00 a month value out of it.

Your price may be different, read the fine print and try to avoid a contract.

[garand4life]

You can get service with AT&Ts without a contract but you have to pay a heck of a lot more for the card... (NOTE: I'm selling mine for $40 works great.) Yes you can get cheaper plans starting at about $40 a month if you want it as a backup to your home. It's not really worth it unless you go all out and get the $60 5gig plan. When we had a 3 day power outage last winter in the Ohio valley I used it like crazy. but other than that it was more of a convenience to just have on call.

[Pathfinder]

You can get service with AT&Ts without a contract but you have to pay a heck of a lot more for the card... (NOTE: I'm selling mine for $40 works great.) Yes you can get cheaper plans starting at about $40 a month if you want it as a backup to your home. It's not really worth it unless you go all out and get the $60 5gig plan. When we had a 3 day power outage last winter in the Ohio valley I used it like crazy. but other than that it was more of a convenience to just have on call.

Also, if you travel a lot, either on the road or in airports, they are valuable as you wait 2-3 hours for a connecting flight, or in a rest stop along the freeway where there is usually very good cellular reception. Both the airports and big chain hotels charge outrageous sums for internet access - airports more. $10-15 per 24 hour period in a hotel used to be normal, I have no idea what it is now, as I gave up being a road warrior some years ago.