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Boy, I hope somebody has some ideas!! I am moving to a rural mountain community and am having a really tough time finding internet access.
There are a couple of satellite companies that 'may' work, but charge really high fees--like $60+ a month, plus $300 to install equipment. A friend of mine said there was some new technology that you can plug into your PC that allows you to have internet access in remote locations. Anyone know of something like this?
If not, what is the BEST way for me to find the cheapest option to get internet access out in 'the boonies'?
Talk with your cell phone provider. Still pretty expensive on a monthly basis, but the initial cost should be lower. You can get a card to plug into your PC that will connect through the cell system. I have two clients that do this and it works well for them.l
Well, this is a bit embarrassing, but my cell phone is one of those cheap Virgin mobile "pay-as-you-go" cellphones. It does NOT get service at this address. Neither did a friend of mine who had a 'normal' cell phone. However, drive up the hill just a little, and viola! Cell phone service! (well, at least on his...not mine until I got closer to town)
Well I guess the determining factor now is do you have the cash for satellite and does it really mean that much to you compared to just having dial-up. Its a crap choice either way.
Could I assume that because my crappy phone couldn't get a signal at the property, that a 'good' phone couldn't either? In other words, if I could get a better cell phone that would get a signal there, does that mean I could get internet access? (Oh God, don't say 'dial-up'...it sends horrible shivers down my spine!)
Sounds like you have a provider on the GSM network.. you should check CDMA networks Verizon/Sprint/Alltel on top of their networks providing longer range I know for a fact you can also get external antenna's to connect up to e'm.. on the downside you’re looking at about $30 a month minimum but on the plus side if you tethered via your cellphone you could get cell + internet for low cost.. you can check there coverage maps on their websites or you can just get 1st hand accounts from this forum howardforums.com on your region..
Based on your description of the boonies.. I assume EVDO is out of the question so.. 1xx = about 56k internet (give or take) it has faster downloads but the ping times are higher 500 ms (not as bad as satellite 500-750 ms to space and then you have to come back down) where as 56k will have slower downloads but lower pings 150-200 ms
Your second best bet (and maybe your first) is to see what is in your local town even if it's not available to you.. because it is possible to shoot wireless signals about 10 miles for less than a $1k (I think) and be a part of your neighbors network.. (I do not claim to have done this.. I just think it's theoretically possible.. it just requires work/information/research and the right forum)
Cell tower location certainly matters, One of my clients has a lot in a valley and was a Verizon customer. Her office is in the basement and she had to leave her cell phone laying at the top of the stairs or it wouldn't ring. Her sister has Sprint and was getting a good signal in the basement. My client switched, got a card for her laptop and has a good Internet connection.
Well, I don't have a laptop, it is a PC. If I test a friends cell phone (let's say it's a Verizon or a Sprint) and that phone CAN get a signal at this remote location, then does that mean I can add some kind of card or something to my PC and be able to get Internet access? (Sorry, I'm just not knowledgeable about computers and stuff....)
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A friend of mine said there was some new technology that you can plug into your PC that allows you to have internet access in remote locations. Anyone know of something like this? 
