Forum Discussion

Jackie_Treehorn's avatar
Aug 14, 2013

Suggestions on Satellite internet

Just bought a used RV last week. The plan is to be able to "mobile office" during the week and leave our area typically on Thursday nights without losing the ability to manage office issues via the internet/laptop.

We tried to use my Droid's Hotspot 4G as the wireless hub for our trip, but that proved to be woefully inadequate due to the lack of cell service along much of the 395 through the California Sierras. I must have reliable internet along the road, both on the fly and when we're stationary. Am I correct to presume that going to be limited to satellite internet providers, and if that's true will it be easiest to simply add that service to my DirecTV account, killing two birds with one stone by giving me programming plus the internet? Or am I overlooking something?

If in fact it's going to be satellite internet/tv, can anyone offer some suggestions about which dish to be added to our roof, who is reliable to do that type of work, etc? Thanks for the help-
  • Bill.Winegard wrote:
    Here are the facts. You are not going to get ANY satellite internet on the fly


    That's discouraging, but not a dealbreaker. I can work around having service only when we are parked, or at least stationary- but the bandwidth you are suggesting seems to be a big hitch. I don't normally send large files, normally well under 1MB, but I was hoping to use Skype of some other VOIP from the spots where we park. Sounds highly unlikely at the speeds you're suggesting.
  • Here are the facts. You are not going to get ANY satellite internet on the fly (assuming you mean while you are moving).
    If you can get satellite internet while you are parked, it is going to be very expensive and very slow (about 1/10 the speed of 3G and not measurable compared to 4G).
    TV services and Internet services are completely separate and cannot be "bundled" for the mobile user.
    If you have seen all the claims from Hughenet Gen4, Wildblue or Exede, none of these service are mobile and cannot be used if you plan to move as an RVer might.
    You are going to need to use cellular for internet and Dish or DirecTV for TV.