Get Internet with No Cell Service??

[TC_Z]

We plan an extended RV trip to Big Bend park in south Texas and beyond. There is spotty cell coverage there at best. What's best most reasonable solution to get satellite internet? No need for voice, just internet, no streaming. No in motion needed, just stationary.

Viasat? Starlink? Hughes.net? Iridium hot spot? Others? Willing to commit to a month at a time, but no year contracts.

Thanks, take care....

[n0arp]

Retired JSO wrote:
If you apply for Starlink today, you may get it within 2 years. My neighbor applied last February 2021 and is still awaiting his equipment.

It's easy enough to get a Starlink within a week or so. I've gone through the process twice (once for the round, once for the rectangular dish) - but you have to play with service addresses. There is a FB group for Starlink use in RVs, and it's full of documentation on it. The people who are waiting that long are the ones who just put in their exact address, and don't look into it any further.

[Retired_JSO]

If you apply for Starlink today, you may get it within 2 years. My neighbor applied last February 2021 and is still awaiting his equipment.

[TechWriter]

sch911 wrote:
Starlink for sure if you can get it....

When you find out that you can't get Starlink in time, try Outfitter Satellite Phone who also rent Internet satellite terminals.

However, they're expensive and slow. But they work nearly everywhere.

[n0arp]

Skibane wrote:

TC&Z wrote:
Willing to commit to a month at a time, but no year contracts.

Isn't Starlink a yearly deal?

Reportedly, they lose money on the satellite terminal they sell you - so they have to a long-term commitment to recoup that.

No. It's month to month. You can cancel at any time. You pay a fair bit to get started, and I suppose they assume if you spend that much, you aren't going to cancel after just a couple months.

[Skibane]

TC&Z wrote:
Willing to commit to a month at a time, but no year contracts.

Isn't Starlink a yearly deal?

Reportedly, they lose money on the satellite terminal they sell you - so they have to a long-term commitment to recoup that.

[CA_Traveler]

I believe Starlink has developed and tested mobile service and has applied for approval.

[n0arp]

Starlink, especially if you can get a service address near where you plan to stay. Roaming has been working well for most of us for the last two months or so, but it's not guaranteed to work.

Our Internet setup consists of:

Cradlepoint AER1600 router w/ MC400-1200M modem
VZ and AT&T Unlimited SIMs
Panorama MAKO 4x4 antenna mounted on the roof
Starlink (we had the round dish, now using the new style)
WeBoost Drive 4G X that we haven't used in months

We get Internet, one way or the other, just about everywhere we go. Starlink is #1, with fallback to AT&T and then Verizon services as configured in the Cradlepoint.



We had Internet in Lajitas with cellular alone - I don't remember which provider, but know we didn't have Starlink yet when we stayed there.

[CA_Traveler]

sch911 wrote:
Starlink for sure if you can get it....

X2

With a MiFi and high gain directional antenna mounted on a pole you might get adequate cell service. Amplifiers are also available. See if you can get monthly service.

[sch911]

Starlink for sure if you can get it....

[jdc1]

https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/best-satellite-internet/