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Big Island The Island of Hawaii
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Old 11-01-2009, 10:04 AM
 
Location: Hawaii-Puna District
3,752 posts, read 11,512,221 times
Reputation: 2488

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They are pricey. The system drops you out frequently, usually just a few seconds here and there. I know because we have them at work.
Please read the other posts and contact MobiPCS which will be much cheaper and more reliable, plus it is portable.
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Old 09-06-2010, 01:50 AM
 
Location: Fern Acres, Mt View, Big Island
6 posts, read 21,227 times
Reputation: 16
Just to chime in on internet in Fern Acres again. I live pretty far back towards Anthurium on Plumeria, & the cable stops at pole #90. Its been that way for a few years, & unsurprisingly the cable company offers many answers on when exactly they'll extend it, ranging from 'within the year' to 'we have no plans at this time'. I guess they divine their answer by throwing darts or reading tea leaves, or something. Anyway!

I have Hele Mobile Broadband (hardeharhar...) from Mobi PCS, & its pretty much the best option. Its not nearly as fast as cable, but it is faster than dialup. Is it worth $34 (the cost with direct withdrawl option) a month? Depends on how often you use your internet at home versus going & finding a hotspot in town, & how much you hate dialup & tying up your phoneline with it.



Very important note! I have a car antenna for a cell phone hooked up to the USB antenna device you use to connect to Hele that is up on my roof, which is about 20 ft up. I got it from Cellular Enhancements down by KTA. They have a lot of different versions there, opt for the cheapest, then work up if that one doesn't do the trick. Or, go on eBay & find one for waaay cheaper. I also don't have many trees on my lot. With my antenna, I get 3 out of 5 bars. Without it, I only get 1 or 2 - with only 1 bar, the internet is technically connected, but won't actually do anything.

Another note - I've heard around that the new Hele USB antenna does NOT have the port for an external booster antenna, meaning you couldn't hook up the car cell antenna. If so, I'd avoid getting Hele to use here in the Acres, & only get it if you're down around Keaau & Hilo a lot. This is just a rumor though, I haven't checked out if there is a new antenna. My own antenna is quite old, I bought it used.

Mobi does allow you to test Hele out for seven days, & return it for a full refund if it sucks in your area. They'll also be upfront about how well it may or may not work where you are!
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Old 10-02-2010, 03:34 AM
 
Location: Fern Acres, Mt View, Big Island
6 posts, read 21,227 times
Reputation: 16
Just to update, I asked a few questions at the Mobi store in the mall - the new antennas do include the external antenna port, they don't get any better/worse reception than the older antennas, & the reception is the same for Fern Acres.
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Old 10-05-2010, 07:06 PM
 
Location: Hawai'i
115 posts, read 471,476 times
Reputation: 52
Here is what I ended up with in HA, AT&T and purchased a repeater from jdteck dot com and now I have great cell and internet service. I didn't want to go with the little antenna you plug into your laptop. This really worked out great,

Not as good as DSL but that will be a few years before they get it to my property.
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