Stumbled onto reliable rural internet access

[Oaktree]

List of eligible ZipCodes:

https://www.verizon.com/about/sites/default/files/LTE-home-Internet-zip-code-list-09-2020.pdf

Just a quick look at my (and neighboring) states, it seems all the zip codes are in the more populated areas, where there are likely plenty of choices already. Out in the boonies, not so much.

 

[sixdogs]

I do not think this is the same as going through the cell phone. My cell phone has a cap but my home internet router with them has no cap. In fact, when using the cell phone I have it get data from the home router and it doesn't need to use the cell phone data cap when at home.We both do video, etc and that's what I see.

I'm pretty street smart and doubly so with whatever cash I have left. I make different people explain multiple times and cross check. I read the fine print. Companies do have to change to stay competitive and the world of internet access is about to open up in a big way. Look at how TV opened up and the exodus from satellite TV that didn't change fast enough. Those people lost are never coming back.

 

[96snma]

We still have a dish. But our internet comes through the LTE cell network. Costs $100/month for 50mbps. Unlimited data. We have used 294gb this month (working from home).

 

[TractorGuy]

My neighbor said the online checker for the Verizon service told him he wasn't eligible but he called and they let him try it. He is getting 50 down.

Some of the so called "unlimited" plans, including the AT&T plan I have state they MIGHT throttle the service after you use X amount of data. I think mine says they might do it if the tower becomes congested after you have used 22 GB. I have hit over 180 with not too many slow downs. When it does I can restart my modem and the speed seems to pick right back up.

 

[knukey]

We use Verizon Hotspots from our 4 mobile phones with a hotspot data cap of 15GB each. It works perfect for all uses until the cap is met and they start throttling us. All we really need is for Verizon to stop the throttling!

 

[ning]

List of eligible ZipCodes:

https://www.verizon.com/about/sites/default/files/LTE-home-Internet-zip-code-list-09-2020.pdf

I had to view this thread in Firefox instead of the app to view file... my zip is in there, maybe I'll try braving customer service again. We have no fiber, cable, or dsl near my house, and even the regional wifi towers are blocked by trees and hills.

I just checked and my 1-2 bars of LTE get me 65Mbps on my phone (they definitely upgraded something - it was 14 for years) so I'm hopeful I can get the lte home, then I can set up a home network that my computer doesn't get disconnected from every time i go to another part of the house with my phone...

 

[shooterdon]

Rats!!! Not available in my zip. Glad I signed up for StarLink.

 

[cqaigy2]

Figures, not available here either.

 

[deserteagle71]

List of eligible ZipCodes:

https://www.verizon.com/about/sites/default/files/LTE-home-Internet-zip-code-list-09-2020.pdf

And of course my zip code...or anything close to it - is not listed.

 

[Oaktree]

We still have a dish. But our internet comes through the LTE cell network. Costs $100/month for 50mbps. Unlimited data. We have used 294gb this month (working from home).

Seems like $100/mo is becoming the "new normal" for internet service. So much for the cost coming down over time. Gettin' a little pricey for my budget.

 

[sixdogs]

Seems like $100/mo is becoming the "new normal" for internet service. So much for the cost coming down over time. Gettin' a little pricey for my budget.

I'm the OP. Check the first post. Mine is $50 a month, $40 if I'm paperless and they take from my back account and am exceeding 50mbps right now. I thought they said 15. Unlimited data and my bill says that. If you live in the right zip code, this is the best deal I can find.

Just a hunch but I think future competitive pressures are and will bring the bills down.

 

[Oaktree]

I'm the OP. Check the first post. Mine is $50 a month, $40 if I'm paperless and they take from my back account and am exceeding 50mbps right now. I thought they said 15. Unlimited data and my bill says that. If you live in the right zip code, this is the best deal I can find.

Just a hunch but I think future competitive pressures are and will bring the bills down.

Hasn't happened yet. Mine keeps creeping up with little or no notice.
Re-reading your first post makes me suspect you have some sort of limited time introductory offer (even if it wasn't so-stated). If not, and it's the real deal good for you.
Personally, I'm not comfortable with vendors who take their payments directly from my bank account.

 

[civilian]

OP, do you have an antenna like the one shown in post 23? We have AT&T's home internet box which uses a cell phone tower to supply us with internet and also as our landline coming in on it. Sounds similar to Verizon's system. But for use, the cell signal is pretty poor at our house. Verizon'z signal is non existant. However, the home internet box seems to receive better cell signal than our cell phone do. We are trying a WeBoost system to improve our signal. Not running long enough to decide if it is better with the WeBoost or not. Also our electrical provider is bringing fiber optic to customers. But our area is way down on the pecking order. Jon

 

[sixdogs]

I have this one and you have to move them around or turn sideways, etc to check reception. Mine is on top of a tall dresser and hanging off the edge for best reception. Ideally, outdoors and a wire to the inside would work better but I'm happy with what we get. We pick up channels pretty far away and that surprises me.

Mohu Leaf +

Amplified multi-directional indoor TV antenna

www.crutchfield.com

I don't mean to make this look like an ad for someone but this is just the way it shows up. All I did was post the url from where I bought it.

 

[IXLR8]

Just bought a new home, they have fibre optic cable running down our street and I called to get a quote to install it at my house. Price for service was $140/month for 100Mb/s download speeds plus $6750.00 to run the cable to the house. Cell coverage is spotty and I'm still looking for internet service for the house. Starlink is looking better and better.

 

[jjp8182]

Interesting read....though it partially amazes me that it's taken this long and it's still not more widespread.

Back when I moved into my current place in 2007 I had a (what I'm going to call) "cellular data receiver" through AT&T that plugged into a USB port and provided internet to whatever computer it was plugged into (after installing the firmware/app that also resided on the device).

Eventually dropped that as the network upgraded and I switched to a cable internet service provider, but continue to keep occasional tabs on rural internet services as I'll probably move further away as the cities 20-30 miles away continue to grow. I would eventually like move to a much larger property (>100 acres) and land prices here are getting rather ridiculous. The few farms that remain near the cities occasionally go up for sale at $40k+ per acre -- with $40k being at the "bargain" end. For example just this morning I saw two .17 acre lots being advertised for $90k each - and one .18 acre lot for $400k in an upscale neighborhood. ...and this is in the Huntsville/Madison area of ALABAMA.

 

[kf4uda]

Just bought a new home, they have fibre optic cable running down our street and I called to get a quote to install it at my house. Price for service was $140/month for 100Mb/s download speeds plus $6750.00 to run the cable to the house. Cell coverage is spotty and I'm still looking for internet service for the house. Starlink is looking better and better.

Apparently they did not want you for a customer. I think Starlink is going to help in a lot of ways. I think it will provide good service in remote areas and force some of these bloodsuckers to up their game.

 

[Blue Mule]

I've been using T-Mobile ISP service for a few months. 50+ meg speeds, no data caps, no equipment costs, guarantee of no price increases, etc. $50/month. We blew through 1.6 TB of data last month with no throttling or limits. It's a simple white box that sits on a table and does everything in one. I love it.

 

[sixdogs]

I'm the OP on this and after four months, the Verizon wireless router has worked great, been much faster than expected and has not gone down at all.

Sure beats the olden days of five months ago when my internet was beamed off a neighbor's grain bin and failed frequently. I spent Christmas through two days after New Years with the old system down and no access. Now, the Mrs and I can actually both watch a video at the same time and not crash the system.

 

[JethroB]

I'm the OP on this and after four months, the Verizon wireless router has worked great, been much faster than expected and has not gone down at all.

Sure beats the olden days of five months ago when my internet was beamed off a neighbor's grain bin and failed frequently. I spent Christmas through two days after New Years with the old system down and no access. Now, the Mrs and I can actually both watch a video at the same time and not crash the system.

I wish it was offered here while I wait on Starlink.