Full time in my travel trailer, Challenge No. 1: Internet

[coachellacanuck]

I am planning to live full time in my TT this summer and have identified a number of challenges but the one that has me stumped is how to get reliable secure internet access. I work online so this is a priority.

Any Canadians living full-time in a seasonal, permanent location with advice?

For example, if I have a permanent location is it possible to get service from a rural broadband provider like xplorenet?

As of now, the only option I can identify is to tether my laptop to my cellphone, which could get very expensive.

Thanks!

[coachellacanuck]

Thanks for the input. Some of the suggestions won't work because I will be in Alberta, Canada. Some of the others worth exploring, like satellite provider Hughes through xplorenet.

[ncrowley]

You cannot rely on the internet in campgrounds no matter what they say or advertise. You will need to have your own internet using one of the cell carriers.

[ventrman]

I did have Dish Internet. I was allowed 5 Gigs per Month. Now I use either my AT&t I-Pad or my Cell Phone. I am now allowed 15 Gigs per Month. They had a Short-lived Promotion that offered 15 Gigs for the same Price we were Paying for 5. We jumped on that Deal.

[davidaf]

Reliable Internet is one of my highest priorities since I work full time and require internet. I have two plans, one Verizon and one ATT both dedicated to data. Cell phones are ATT. I use a router that will load balance and fail over between each carrier if one goes to lunch. Been doing this for a year and a half w/ few issues. Park WIFI has been basically useless everywhere we've been. Satellite Internet has too high of latency and will not work for my needs.

[coachellacanuck]

Big Dog2 wrote:
I live in a rural location, east of Edmonton. There is no cable service available. We obtained internet service from Hughes Broadband, via satellite.

Depending where you will be located, there may be some local internet providers in the area you will be staying. Check out mcsnet.ca.

I contacted xplorenet via twitter and they think they can provide me with service in the rural location I am looking at, for permanent location of my TT. And at a reasonable price too. I just have to see now if they can provide seasonal service or if I have to pay year round even after I return to California for the winter.

Thanks!

[coachellacanuck]

Naio wrote:

coachellacanuck wrote:

Verizon and other US suppliers are a non-starter

Why is that? Will you be fulltiming in Canada? Brrr!

Sorta kinda... full time in Canada May through Oct.... then it's back to sunny California for the winter.

[rockhillmanor]

I have been on the road full timing over 6 years I use a Sprint Mobile Broadband USB for internet. I bought it in 2006 and STILL using the same USB stick for it.

I bought a winter home and I also use it in the house. I see no need to pay for internet service to the house when this works just as well.

I've never been without service. The Speed is the SAME as my neighbors that pay for so called "high speed access".

Open laptop and plug in USB stick and you have service. I pay $65.00 a month and true unlimited data.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

We live on an acreage and have a radio transmitter set up on roof that does us pretty good considering. Used to be through E-Firehose but they have been taken over by Platinum. Overall been really pleased with it except on very badly overcast days and then not problems all the time.

[Naio]

coachellacanuck wrote:

Verizon and other US suppliers are a non-starter

Why is that? Will you be fulltiming in Canada? Brrr!

[Big_Dog2]

I live in a rural location, east of Edmonton. There is no cable service available. We obtained internet service from Hughes Broadband, via satellite.

The speed was not great but we had no other options and it was several million times better than dial up. One feature we did like, was that the download bytes were not counted toward your total between 1 AM and 6 AM. (good time to update programs) We are a house of night owls so this worked quite well for us.

The service was provided to us in our sticks and bricks home, so the dish was installed on the roof. In your case, you may have to learn how to set up the dish when you move or have Hughes send out an installer every time you move.

Two years ago another internet provider set up a tower on a hill about 500 meters north of us. Due to the proximity of the tower, our reception now is almost as good as cable.

Depending where you will be located, there may be some local internet providers in the area you will be staying. Check out mcsnet.ca

Hope this helps in some way.

[coachellacanuck]

MPI_Mallard wrote:
We snow-bird between Ontario and Florida annually, the only way I found was to stay where I can get cable internet at my site the I have magic jack and were good to go.

I'm intrigued. Must check out this magic jack.

Verizon and other US suppliers are a non-starter but I will also look into the mobile hotspot idea.

Thanks everyone

[wandering1]

Call xplorenet and ask. Get a Verizon hot spot.

[coachellacanuck]

1492 wrote:
There have been many discussions of this topic in the Technology Corner. But, basically, if you rely on secured data access, then your best bet is to get a 4G/3G mobile data plan that covers the areas you intend to travel.

I have 6Gigs per month data plan on my Rogers cellular plan. I am hoping that will be enough for my needs if I can't come up with another solution.

[coachellacanuck]

2oldman wrote:
Get your employer to pay for it.

LOL, she will be paying for it. I'm self-employed!