RV Tech
Who's Your ISP?
By Alan Lidstone
Connecting at home is a different matter. It is important to understand the differences between obtaining high–speed Internet access from your cable company or landline telephone company, and obtaining high–speed Internet access from your wireless mobile service provider, such as Sprint Nextel, AT&T, or Verizon.
Cable or DSL/FIOS – Your cable company or (landline) telephone company Internet Service Provider will provide a hardwire connection (cable, DSL, or fiber optic cable (FIOS)) to connect the router/modem in your home or office to their server.
You will most likely be offered two types of high–speed broadband Internet access. One is month–to–month access that you can cancel at any time where you purchase a modem/router and pay a monthly fee. Another is a minimum contract period (usually 12–months) where the Internet Service Provider provides the modem/router at no cost along with a slightly lower monthly fee.
The programs offer multiple data transfer rates, depending on your monthly fee, that range from 750k to 5.0 Mbps from a telephone company ISP, or 3.0 – 10.0 Mbps from a cable company ISP. If the ISP cannot provide adequate service for your rate structure, they will generally agree to get the service working or cancel the service at no penalty to you.
Wireless Mobile Access – In contrast, the wireless mobile service providers require a minimum time period (12 months or 24 months), depending on the particular plan with data transfer rates that may vary from 250k to 1.4 Mbps. The data transfer rate depends on the wireless ISP, amount of Internet traffic and the geographic locale.
The need for wireless mobile broadband data access is affected by how often you will be using the service. Full–timers find it very helpful because they are on the road most of the time and can use it for 12 out of 12 months. They also like the ability to not have to rely on a landline or WiFi hotspot to connect to the Internet.
The monthly fee may range approximately $60 – $80/month for unlimited service depending on the carrier and the minimum contract period. The wireless mobile ISP will require the purchase of an appropriate broadband access device for your computer (with a substantial rebate), but does not guarantee service levels (data transfer rates) or actual connectivity to the Internet.
It’s important to ask the mobile carrier you select for Internet access about data transfer rates, actual coverage areas, and applicable activation fee. Sprint/Nextel offers data rates of 600k to 1.4 Mbps. Other carriers may have different data transfer rates.
WiMAX Internet Access – is the upcoming player on the block. WiMAX is similar to WiFi access but has a range measured in miles (10 – 30 miles), depending on the equipment configuration and ISP) rather than feet, and high–speed Internet access with data transfer rates up to 40 Mbps. The extended range is also a boon for RVers because it allows connecting to the Internet while the RV is being driven.
Initial announcements about WiMAX service began back in 2004, with articles that Wal–Mart was considering providing WiMAX ISP and Voice–Over–the–Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephone service. WiMax technology is being developed and implemented by the wireless mobile service providers, and WiMAX mobile communications products will be designated as 4–G data and communications devices.
Sprint Nextel and Clearwire are joining forces to create a national network to implement and provide WiMAX communications service. Sprint Nextel announced in March 2007 that they were considering 19 regional areas as 19 WiMAX service markets. Availability of WiMAX service is expected in the Sprint network by 2008.
WiMAX, with its extended range and high data transfer rates up to 40 Mbps, is a potential alternative to cable or DSL Internet access at your home or business. WiMAX is also a potential alternative to using wireless broadband data service from your wireless (cell phone) provider to connect to the Internet.
Current WiFi technology is "open source" and available to any equipment or service provider. The wireless mobile service providers generally implement new service offerings with a combination of "proprietary" equipment, and usage restrictions, including mandatory 12 or 24–month contracts, limits to specific technology features and capabilities, and Internet content (as has been done with the Apple iPhone).
We recommend you monitor WiMAX service offerings very closely to ensure that any WiMAX service provider you select is giving you contract terms, service and functions that meet your needs at home, business, and on the road.
Note: Since the implementation and availability of WiMAX Internet is proceeding on a regional basis, rather than nation–wide, RVers considering switching to WiMAX will need to verify that any WiMAX service and (4–G) products they use is available in the locations they will be traveling through or staying.
For more information about WiMAX, visit the WiMAX Forum on the internet at http://www.wimaxforum.org/technology/faq/.
Other Considerations – Other factors to consider for wireless broadband data (3–G) and WiMAX (4–G) Internet access is the use of a data plan with multiple devices, such as a smart phone, PDA, BlackBerry device, or notebook computer. You should also ask about any limitations or restrictions regarding accessing, uploading data, downloading data associated with your data plan, along with any cancellation fees if you cancel before any applicable contract expiration date.
If you are not a full–timer and use cable or DSL/FIOS service at home, you may find it easier (and cheaper) to limit your Internet access to using WiFi at your RV resort/campground layovers and hot spots on RV trips, until WiMAX is available. This eliminates paying for wireless mobile broadband data access you may not use when you are home.
Remember, Safety First, and Happy RVing!!!
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