Wireless Internet Data Limits

[katz]

A client is considering dropping their buggy dsl for Verizon Jetpack, or another wireless carrier in our area. I have limited experience with them;

A. How reliable is it, as far as connections during storms?

B. Will it work with SimpliSafe security systems?

C. What is a reasonable amount of data that a person may use per month, say watching a few youtube videos/day, and spending a couple hours total/day surfing, Facebook, etc...? This is an older couple, so they don't spend a lot of time online. Also, I suppose their smart tv will use a small amount of data?

Comments/Suggestions!

Thanks!

 

[Altster]

just my 2 cents worth...

What other options do they have besides the DSL? Any cable companies in their part of the world? How about AT&T fibre network? There are many different plans with providers that may fit right into their budget.

I suggest you start by doing some homework at Verizon's website. You may be able to get answers to most of your questions - that is, if the website will load for you.

I can tell you this....I have DirecTV (satellite tv) and it has issues with stormy weather that is in the area. A lot of pixelation and screen freezes when the weather is poor. I suspect that to be true for most WiFi reception if it is not connected via a wired connection to the WAP.

Good luck and happy researching.

 

[katz]

They live in the country, so choices are limited. Xfiniity does not want to run cable out to their farm w/o them covering 1/2 the cost. Not sure about AT&T, I'll have to check into that. I have a few clients on Sat., and I know their internet service is sub-par, not to mention the data caps when they stream movies.

 

[Diggs]

You may want to include Excede satellite in your review. They are more favorable on rates, bandwidth and speed for my rural customers around here than cellular bricks and jet-packs..

 

[trevm999]

I use a WISP, as long as you have good line of site it can be really stable. I've had 80 km/h winds and still a stable enough connection to stream a movie. Data caps can be poor though.

 

[sapphirescales]

Cellphone companies offer the worst pricing. It would probably cost $500/month for 100GB of bandwidth through Verizon. All these companies advertise "unlimited" bandwidth, but they will throttle your speed to slower than dialup after you've hit 10GB or 20GB. I'd go with a company like Exede or another company that actually provides internet for COMPUTERS as they know that you're going to need more than 10GB of 20GB of bandwidth each month and price their services accordingly. I would budget about $200/month for 100GB of bandwidth.

 

[nerd2u]

I have a few customers who use cellular as their internet method the plans usually come with like 30gb of data included then you pay overage.

As for the security system check with the provider some have very specific methods of connecting, whereas others don't care.

What is the cost of running the line? Are we talking like 500$ and they don't want to pay or 50 grand?

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

 

[fencepost]

Is usage data for their DSL account available through a dashboard site? I'd check for that before anything else. I'd also check the WISP option as @trevm999 suggested.

I'd also make sure I know what they're going to be using, e.g. if they're going to be watching YouTube on an iPad or the like then it might be worth looking at carriers to see if any have both good coverage and something like T-Mobile's Binge On to provide unlimited streaming.

 

[Markverhyden]

Agree with @sapphirescales on the cell phone companies. Make sure and read ALL of the small print. They are quite sneaky about throttling, etc.

 

[Diggs]

Agree with @sapphirescales on the cell phone companies. Make sure and read ALL of the small print. They are quite sneaky about throttling, etc.

Problem is, there is no fine print to read. Viasat/Exede satellite list 12/25/50 GB Internet plans of "priority data" but nowhere does it say what happens after that. I have tested their 12 Mbs bandwidth claim and they do deliver on speed, but after your allotted data is up it slows to a crawl.

 

[Your PCMD]

Comments/Suggestions!

Well, I solved a problem like this for a client months back. They were on DSL which was spotty with bandwidth. They also tried Hughs and Exceed satellite with terrible performance. They could not get cable internet because they were 1/4th of a mile too far. So, their daughter, who did have cable, offered to help. They are paying for a second cable internet account after I found out she was close enough and I used a Ubiquiti M5 P2P and all is well from just over a quarter mile away. They get upwards of 30mbs off a 50mbs connection so nothing to complain about.