Rural phone dilemma

[plowhog]

I'm living at our ranch property for the next year, and trying to figure out reliable phone communication.

Cell service does not work here. Zero bars. Cell phone amplifiers don't work.

ATT used to offer landline and DSL. Several years ago they stopped doing any new DSL connections. Now, they have stopped doing any new landline connections. We had an ATT phone at the location for decades, but it was turned off a year ago and they won't connect it back up. I've done some web searches and cannot find any option for a land line.

I have a satellite internet system, and activated Advanced Calling on my Verizon phone. That works OK when it works, but it's hit and miss. Email always works through the satellite, phone sometimes, and text sometimes.

I know Vonage offers an IP phone system, but am not sure how that would work with the latency of a satellite system. When my Verizon Advanced Calling (occasionally) works using my smartphone, there is definitely latency, but I could live with that. But I can't go long periods where the phone doesn't work, and I can't receive calls or make calls. That is the situation now.

Any ideas?

 

[oosik]

See - now that's how it is here at my place and because I'm retired - it pleases me to no end. I have absolutely no land line service, my cell phone service is weather dependent and sporadic at best. Now my satellite internet service is top notch.

I've heard that some companies are providing satellite internet phone service and there is always direct satellite phone service ( Iridium ).

 

[plowhog]

Had not considered Iridium, thanks! Which satellite system do you have?

I demolished our main residence and it is being rebuilt over the next year. So I need reliable communication with the general contractor.

 

[dodge man]

My wife works for a phone co-op. Like electric co-ops, they serve rural areas. Have you checked to see if there is one in your area? I think in Illinois everyone can get some kind of service. At least in theory anyway.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I guess Iridium is the sat phone service. Can't think of any other options. Expensive, but you say it's only short term and it could save major problems and money.

 

[oosik]

Plowhog - my internet provider is HughesNet. They are great, service is great - as long as the weather is half way descent. Actually the toughest weather for my IP is a high overcast - rain, fog, snow don't seem to bother service too much.

My cell phone service is thru AT&T. They are a good system - I'm just so dang far away from their closest tower.

 

[skipperbrown]

VHF ham radio and a phone patch with a local repeater would work for outgoing non business phone calls. You will need a FCC tech license, a 2 meter radio, a directional antenna, and a radio club with a repeater/phone patch within 25 or so miles. Before cell phone coverage became so good, we used this for off shore phone communication on the gulf coast. A ham friend with better phone coverage could call you on the radio for incoming calls. When all else fails, there is always ham radio.

 

[Einthewoods]

Not sure what sat internet provider you have, but Excede (Viasat) and Hughesnet both have phone service. If you have one of those, you should be all set without going to a third party.

 

[vvanders]

VHF ham radio and a phone patch with a local repeater would work for outgoing non business phone calls. You will need a FCC tech license, a 2 meter radio, a directional antenna, and a radio club with a repeater/phone patch within 25 or so miles. Before cell phone coverage became so good, we used this for off shore phone communication on the gulf coast. A ham friend with better phone coverage could call you on the radio for incoming calls. When all else fails, there is always ham radio.

I was going to jokinly suggest that as well, downside is everyone esle on the repeater gets to hear your phone call as well.

 

[Doofy]

I remember having a party-line way back in 1966. Not long after we got our very own line. We have had good to excellent cellular service for over 20 years. I live in a rural area. My internet speed is 50Mbps/10 Mbps and next year they will be installing fiber optics to double those speeds. Not sure why since population is in a rapid decline.

I would think everyone in America would have access to decent phone and internet service. Very sad and disturbing.