Attempting to Demystify "In Motion" Internet Systems for RV's!

[Morgan7600]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up needing in-motion broadband to go!  Does anyone know where to go on line to get good info on what is available and at what price.  Online searches bring up a lot of stuff about Direct & Dish because they pay for page ratings.
So the forthcoming information is predominantly TV sat and not Broadband sat.  This can get frustrating.  I've read on several forums that Wineguard or Wineguard Travler is the way to go
but I do not believe Wineguard makes a broadband in motion Internet antenna, only a TV antenna.


I know it will be expensive but I would like to know exactly what the choices are if I decide to go that route and at what cost.  I figure if I stay a full timer, I'll just need it!  I'm an eBay seller
and do alright supplementing my pensions by selling this and that but this means constant Paypal transactions and I can't have insecure WiFi hotspot crap getting me in trouble with bandits!

 

[DakotaRed]

It depends on where you plan on staying.  I am a full-timer and work as a developer for a software company.  My connection is very important to me.  My Verizon USB air card connected to a Cradlepoint router has been more than sufficient 99% of the time.  We only stay at established RV parks or resorts and never in State or National parks because I can't depend on the signal.


If you plan on staying in places where there is no cell coverage and still need Internet, then satellite will be your only option, but not cheap by any means.  I believe the equipment alone will be over $5K and the monthly charge is significant also.  I have never heard of an 'in-motion' solution, but maybe others have.
++Larry

 

[NY_Dutch]

Are you sure you'll actually need "in-motion" Internet service? "In-motion" means a satellite system that's used while under way, as in physically moving along the highway. In-motion systems do exist for both Internet and TV, but satellite systems that travel with your RV, but are only used while stationary are much more common, as well as more affordable. If you really do mean "in-motion", there are companies that supply that equipment and service. Here's a couple of them:

http://www.groundcontrol.com/bgan-in-motion-chooser.htm

http://www.mobilsat.com/BGAN/Thrane-Thrane/in-motion-BGAN.html

 

[Ned]

While there are in-motion satellite internet systems like Dutch references, the costs are prohibitive for most.  The better choice is a cellular modem, and Verizon Wireless has the most extensive network, nearly all 4G.  For the cost of in-motion satellite internet, you can buy years of cellular internet service.  And 4G (and even 3G) data speeds are many times faster than any satellite system.

 

[captsteve]

It is expensive but doable. For crew internet on my ship, we have a dome made by KVH set up on Hughes net. HOWEVER, it is a one meter dish inside the dome. Might look a bit funny on top of the RV and you can forget about going under overpasses.

 

[Kim (skyking4ar2) Bertram]

For my work, and I am also a full timer,  I connect via AT&T and Verizon and Millenicom hot spots to a government secured network while on the road without issue. I have traveled across the state of Montana before on the same connection without dropping it, if you are worried about being in motion.

I am not sure what else you might need.

There will be occasions, depending on where you travel, that you could lose data service, but about as soon as you lose it, you will get it back in our experience. Except between Clines Corner and Santa Fe on US 285 in New Mexico. Now THAT'S a black hole.  8)

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

If you want mobile internet access, a cellular modem/hot spot is the best answer (others have already said as much, i.e. use Verizon or AT&T  or Sprint Wireless, or a service like Millenicom that piggybacks on their wireless (cellular) networks.

If you also want tv, then a satellite dish is probably the best answer for in-motion use, but you probably don't need in-motion tv unless you need a DVR recording while you drive. Use the satellite for tv and the cell modem for internet.

 

[Bob Buchanan]

    Am also a software developer - but that does not require in-motion internet access. As a solo RVer I never program while driving, other than in my head.   However, I also wear the hat of help desk and that "is" more critical to be able to remote desktop with a user in the US, Canada, or Mexico. And though at times my 24 hour time frame to get back after a call is OK, most are more critical. But even that would mean "pulling over" to go on line. Have done many help desk sessions in rest areas, parking lots, and wide shoulders.

I've used internet via satellite for many, many years but see few reasons for that now with the service I get from Verizon. I started with ATT but found myself in too many places that I would could get access. As to Help Desk remote desktop. That just didn't work. Download via satellite is fast, whereas upload is very slow. That in turn kills remote desktop as well as makes VoIP very cumbersome. And if buying on eBay would not want to make a critical bid via Sat upload.