Need internet advice

[TheStuntman]

I'm a relatively new RVer and was kind of forced into the situation. I won't bore anyone with any of the insane year long details that have lead up to this point; let's just say through some miscalculations I was screwed by someone I had trusted.

Me and my family (wife and 2 kids). Are currently living in an RV over in Palmer, Alaska in an RV park. My main job is actually from home, I don't make a whole lot of money per month; $10.50/hr. But it allows me to be close to my family, saves on gas and allows us to have some freedom to do things with the kiddos more often. The problem I'm having currently though is internet.

As many long time RVers know, the internet at most RV parks is absolutely abysmal. If they aren't using domestic routers, they're using domestic wifi extenders and sufficiently poor internet plans. It's just something as an RVer I guess we've come to some what expect and just hope eventually they'll get a clue to start upgrading.

Because I work from home I use about 2GB of data a day at minimum, talking on the phone, video conferencing, downloading various files for inspection and uploading data to servers. I for the life of me, just can't seem to find a reliable way to get internet to this little RV. I'm at a loss, I've spent weeks on this problem and it's starting to look like I may have to give up the job I've held for 3+ years and love. Just because of internet.

Can ANYONE out there offer any advice on anything I can do for internet out here that's at least going to give me 2mbps download (so I can work). For a reasonable price?

The cheapest thing I could find would end up costing me $700/mo at minimum for the amount of data I use. It's just insane we still have data caps in 2015.

[trb46]

Are there any public libraries or other hotspots where you could do some of your office work, using their free wifi?

[westernrvparkow]

TheStuntman wrote:
So I'm going to try and respond to everyones questions the best I can here. It's Alaska and I'm just waking up and moving around, (got cold last night so didn't sleep to extremely well). I make somewhere around $420/week, don't know if that was a typo on my part or not, I was pretty tired last night.

The RV park will not allow us to install a DSL connection utilizing a ground mounted dish. I did finally get a rep to agree to send out an installer to mount a dish ON the RV but then my credit check was denied.

MTA though an interesting choice, has some major datacap restrictions and is part of how I got screwed over. (I had MTA up in Eagle River and the room mates I had with me, I didn't know was all watching Netflix at the same time and ran up a 2 thousand dollar bill before I even knew what was happening).

I HAVE checked with maybe doing something like a hot spot. From what I've been able to tell so far, the only plans they really offer is like at most 7 GB every 2 months for data, for an insane price.

Another long term RVer did look into running MTA to his RV. They quoted him over 1000 for installation since they'd have to run a completely new line, trench it and install it a specific way. SO I don't think getting a normalish type of internet service provider is an option here.

@westernparkrvowner I'm not particularly blaming the park owners here, but I know they're using domestic routers and the park is pretty dead atm. They have something like 5 RVs in total in the lost this winter and some of them will be leaving in the next couple of weeks. I realize though it's not there fault I can't work, they're not expected to provide to me the best internet service publicly available lol.

In response to the business internet, I HAD looked into getting business internet when I was in Eagle River. I don't quite qualify for it since according to them, I'd need a business licence to qualify. I fall into a grey area of the market. Technically speaking I"m a private contractor for the company I work for.

I get Tmobile and Verizon here as well as several other services in the area, so cell phone wouldn't be a bad idea, but I just worry about the costs versus data caps. Alaska is beginning to be notorious for there data caps, every internet service provider up here has them but one major one.

The 2 GB a day that I came up with for bandwidth is me doing the absolutely minimum, just work, that's it. in reality I can rank up to 3 or even 4 some days depending on the work I'm doing.

Thankyou EVERYONE for all of the posts and helpful suggestions so far, hopefully I've helped answer some peoples questions.

DSL doesn't use or require a dish of any kind. It runs over telephone lines. What is the Park's ISP? They would be the best bet to talk to about getting a dedicated service for your use. If the service requires a wired connection and the park won't let you pay to have a line run to your rig, maybe it's time to find other accommodations.

[pianotuna]

Hi Verizon has a 50 gig plan for $300. If 3g would be fast enough there are resellers charging $15 per month for unlimited access.

Check AT&T supposedly they offer service and they do have an unlimited plan (or so I'm told).

[TheStuntman]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

You did not mention which cell phone service providers there are at the location you are in.

all tracphone providers and verizon, that's pretty much it here and I think maybe sprint?

[pianotuna]

Hi,

You did not mention which cell phone service providers there are at the location you are in.

[TheStuntman]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

TheStuntman wrote:
I did finally get a rep to agree to send out an installer to mount a dish ON the RV but then my credit check was denied.

Some problems are not solvable.........at least not in a legal fashion.

Only thought I have is:
The SAT dishes don't have to be permanently mounted to anything.
A portable RV dish might work for you.....although the reliability might be a bit of a problem with a strong wind.

I'd do something like that, but when they did a credit check I came back as denied. Only thing I MIGHT be able to do is ask my father in law to give me a hand and just put it in his name. That COULD be an option. The internet company we would be using does 30GB of data, then it down grades to 2mbps down. Which would be just find for me to work. But I'd actually have to get the guy to answer me lol.

[Vulcan_Rider]

TheStuntman wrote:
I did finally get a rep to agree to send out an installer to mount a dish ON the RV but then my credit check was denied.

Some problems are not solvable.........at least not in a legal fashion.

Only thought I have is:
The SAT dishes don't have to be permanently mounted to anything.
A portable RV dish might work for you.....although the reliability might be a bit of a problem with a strong wind.

[Bill_Satellite]

4X4Dodger wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
2GB a day 5 days a week is only 40GB/month if you can keep control of your usage when you are not working then a 50GB/month plan from Verizon, while not cheap, should work. It costs $300/month and it is shared data so you could package a MiFi and all the phones into that data package. You just pay the extra access fee for each device (which you are already paying). The problem is that us lower 48ers have no idea what service providers are available in your area. If you stay in one place, is there an internet provider that will run DSL, cable modem or OTA internet to your location?

Lets see. The OP said he was paid $10.50/Hr assuming 40 hrs/week that is $420 per month.

Please explain how he is to afford $300/month for internet?

Not my job! That's up to the poster or, apparently, you.

[TheStuntman]

So I'm going to try and respond to everyones questions the best I can here. It's Alaska and I'm just waking up and moving around, (got cold last night so didn't sleep to extremely well). I make somewhere around $420/week, don't know if that was a typo on my part or not, I was pretty tired last night.

The RV park will not allow us to install a DSL connection utilizing a ground mounted dish. I did finally get a rep to agree to send out an installer to mount a dish ON the RV but then my credit check was denied.

MTA though an interesting choice, has some major datacap restrictions and is part of how I got screwed over. (I had MTA up in Eagle River and the room mates I had with me, I didn't know was all watching Netflix at the same time and ran up a 2 thousand dollar bill before I even knew what was happening).

I HAVE checked with maybe doing something like a hot spot. From what I've been able to tell so far, the only plans they really offer is like at most 7 GB every 2 months for data, for an insane price.

Another long term RVer did look into running MTA to his RV. They quoted him over 1000 for installation since they'd have to run a completely new line, trench it and install it a specific way. SO I don't think getting a normalish type of internet service provider is an option here.

@westernparkrvowner I'm not particularly blaming the park owners here, but I know they're using domestic routers and the park is pretty dead atm. They have something like 5 RVs in total in the lost this winter and some of them will be leaving in the next couple of weeks. I realize though it's not there fault I can't work, they're not expected to provide to me the best internet service publicly available lol.

In response to the business internet, I HAD looked into getting business internet when I was in Eagle River. I don't quite qualify for it since according to them, I'd need a business licence to qualify. I fall into a grey area of the market. Technically speaking I"m a private contractor for the company I work for.

I get Tmobile and Verizon here as well as several other services in the area, so cell phone wouldn't be a bad idea, but I just worry about the costs versus data caps. Alaska is beginning to be notorious for there data caps, every internet service provider up here has them but one major one.

The 2 GB a day that I came up with for bandwidth is me doing the absolutely minimum, just work, that's it. in reality I can rank up to 3 or even 4 some days depending on the work I'm doing.

Thankyou EVERYONE for all of the posts and helpful suggestions so far, hopefully I've helped answer some peoples questions.

[westernrvparkow]

TheStuntman wrote:


As many long time RVers know, the internet at most RV parks is absolutely abysmal. If they aren't using domestic routers, they're using domestic wifi extenders and sufficiently poor internet plans. It's just something as an RVer I guess we've come to some what expect and just hope eventually they'll get a clue to start upgrading.

Because I work from home I use about 2GB of data a day at minimum, talking on the phone, video conferencing, downloading various files for inspection and uploading data to servers. I for the life of me, just can't seem to find a reliable way to get internet to this little RV. I'm at a loss, I've spent weeks on this problem and it's starting to look like I may have to give up the job I've held for 3+ years and love. Just because of internet.

Can ANYONE out there offer any advice on anything I can do for internet out here that's at least going to give me 2mbps download (so I can work). For a reasonable price?

The cheapest thing I could find would end up costing me $700/mo at minimum for the amount of data I use. It's just insane we still have data caps in 2015.

Blaming the RV park because you have a business need for a lot of Wifi bandwidth is wrong. Just because you want unlimited bandwidth doesn't mean the cellular companies are going to provide it. There are data caps because those cellular companies see it as the best business model.
If you are staying at a park long term, get with the park management and see about getting your own internet service. We don't have long term stays, but I know we wouldn't have a problem if a guest wanted to pay to bring in their own internet service either thru a DSL line run to their site or through the local Wisp (wireless internet service provider which would provide you with 20/10 speed for $99.00 a month and require no wiring other than a small antenna and a Ethernet cable from the antenna to your router). I think you will find there are options, but you are going to have to take the lead. Your business needs are not really your landlord's problems.

[strollin]

4X4Dodger wrote:
... Lets see. The OP said he was paid $10.50/Hr assuming 40 hrs/week that is $420 per month.

Please explain how he is to afford $300/month for internet?

I think you mean $420 per WEEK, not month. :B

Maybe the company he works for will cover all or at least part of the cost of a reliable internet connection. I work from home and my company allows $50/month toward my internet connection.

[4X4Dodger]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
2GB a day 5 days a week is only 40GB/month if you can keep control of your usage when you are not working then a 50GB/month plan from Verizon, while not cheap, should work. It costs $300/month and it is shared data so you could package a MiFi and all the phones into that data package. You just pay the extra access fee for each device (which you are already paying). The problem is that us lower 48ers have no idea what service providers are available in your area. If you stay in one place, is there an internet provider that will run DSL, cable modem or OTA internet to your location?

Lets see. The OP said he was paid $10.50/Hr assuming 40 hrs/week that is $420 per month.

Please explain how he is to afford $300/month for internet?

[Vulcan_Rider]

TheStuntman wrote:
I'm a relatively new RVer and was kind of forced into the situation. I won't bore anyone with any of the insane year long details that have lead up to this point;

Well this discussion is going to be pretty pointless unless you tell us what you have tried and ruled out....and why.

Otherwise we could spend a week just suggesting things that you already know won't work for you.

[joebedford]

Even though Palmer AK is a small town, there is a provider (MTA) that seems to have pretty good business internet. Why can't you use them? 10M/2M for $100 / month seems like not a bad deal.

[Bill_Satellite]

2GB a day 5 days a week is only 40GB/month if you can keep control of your usage when you are not working then a 50GB/month plan from Verizon, while not cheap, should work. It costs $300/month and it is shared data so you could package a MiFi and all the phones into that data package. You just pay the extra access fee for each device (which you are already paying). The problem is that us lower 48ers have no idea what service providers are available in your area. If you stay in one place, is there an internet provider that will run DSL, cable modem or OTA internet to your location?