Mobile Internet Access

[hdavis]

This isn't about GMCs directly, but it does have to do with how we can connect to the Internet while on the road.

For the last two years I've been trying to find a reliable way to access the Internet while travelling (not using hotels).

So far, analog cellular has been extremely unreliable across the country (for connections and connection speed). On the other
hand, digital (PCS or other) has too few geographical areas covered so we fall back to analog too often.

As everybody who's tried knows, analog cellular connections to the internet are expensive at best.

As part of a series of technical articles that we're writing for several trade magazines, we've been looking at satellite
alternatives. I'd like your feedback (private e-mail is probably best so as to not clog the mail list) on the following:

Basic equipment price: $4-6k (about the same as a satellite phone)
Internet access: $50/month plus 10 cents per minute for upload time. E-mail download is free. Web access at 10 cents per
minute. Internet phone at 25 cents per minute for calls within North America. Rates are for a one year contract.

The equipment would include a dish of approximately 48" diameter that would need to be aimed once the coach is stopped.

Let me know what you think.

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (408) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com

 

[hdavis]

>
>-- [ From: Eugene Fisher * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
>
>Let me know when you find the answer. I have been looking also.
>
>I use an offline mail server to get my mail on the road using local
>access number or last ditch the 800 number.
>
>I go to a local Library if I have to get on the net.
>
>I don't think one way Sat. down load would help me. I need to go both
>directions.
>

Thanks for the reply. Just to be clear, I'm talking about 2-way satellite with cheap e-mail and metered web browsing. In case
folks haven't heard of it before, it's possible to place phone calls over the Internet. Your computer compresses your voice
and sends it via Internet packets either to another Internet user or through a bridge box to the ordinary phone lines.
Obviously there's no advantage to internet phone if you're using a cell phone to begin with.

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (408) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com

 

[chuck will]

Interested in finding a Cell that works in the mountains. I recently purchased NOKIA, works fine in towns. The AT & T 600
minutes is adequate for long distance. I just need it to work in the Eastern High Sierras. No luck yet. AAny suggestions? If
I can find one that works I will pursue the computer up there too. We generate our electricity with solar and generator back
up. The electricity and heater will be provided with kerosene. The cabin will be finished 4 July 1999. Chuck, 78 Eleganza II,
Lompoc, CA.

> >
> >-- [ From: Eugene Fisher * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
> >
> >Let me know when you find the answer. I have been looking also.
> >
> >I use an offline mail server to get my mail on the road using local
> >access number or last ditch the 800 number.
> >
> >I go to a local Library if I have to get on the net.
> >
> >I don't think one way Sat. down load would help me. I need to go both
> >directions.
> >
>
> Thanks for the reply. Just to be clear, I'm talking about 2-way satellite with cheap e-mail and metered web browsing. In case
> folks haven't heard of it before, it's possible to place phone calls over the Internet. Your computer compresses your voice
> and sends it via Internet packets either to another Internet user or through a bridge box to the ordinary phone lines.
> Obviously there's no advantage to internet phone if you're using a cell phone to begin with.
>
> Henry
>
> Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
> PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
> Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
> ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
> fax: (408) 462-5198
> http://www.henry-davis.com

 

[mr.c]

I usually find a phone somewhere, and since I use AOL only when I am on the
road, I can find a connection to get my mail. I dont think the cost or the
sat download would work for me. I also would't want to carry a 48"
antenna..

regards
Al Chernoff

> -- [ From: Eugene Fisher * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
>
> Let me know when you find the answer. I have been looking also.
>
> I use an offline mail server to get my mail on the road using local
> access number or last ditch the 800 number.
>
> I go to a local Library if I have to get on the net.
>
> I don't think one way Sat. down load would help me. I need to go both
> directions.
>
> gene
> -------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
>
> Date: Tuesday, 27-Oct-98 12:22 AM
>
> From: Hdavis \ Internet: (hdavis)
> To: gmclist \ Internet: (gmcmotorhome
> .org)
>
> Attachment: mimemsg.doc Code: 00HGM59 \ Created: Unknown [3 Kb]
>
> Subject: GMC: Mobile Internet Access
>
> This isn't about GMCs directly, but it does have to do with how we can
> connect to the Internet while on the road.
>
> For the last two years I've been trying to find a reliable way to access
> the Internet while travelling (not using hotels).
>
> So far, analog cellular has been extremely unreliable across the country
> (for connections and connection speed). On the other hand, digital (PCS
> or other) has too few geographical areas covered so we fall back to
> analog too often.
>
> As everybody who's tried knows, analog cellular connections to the
> internet are expensive at best.
>
> As part of a series of technical articles that we're writing for several
> trade magazines, we've been looking at satellite alternatives. I'd like
> your feedback (private e-mail is probably best so as to not clog the
> mail list) on the following:
>
> Basic equipment price: $4-6k (about the same as a satellite phone)
> Internet access: $50/month plus 10 cents per minute for upload time. E-
> mail download is free. Web access at 10 cents per
> minute. Internet phone at 25 cents per minute for calls within North
> America. Rates are for a one year contract.
>
> The equipment would include a dish of approximately 48" diameter that
> would need to be aimed once the coach is stopped.
>
> Let me know what you think.
>
> Henry
>
> Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
> PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
> Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
> ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
> fax: (408) 462-5198
> http://www.henry-davis.com
>
> -------- REPLY, End of original message --------
>
> --
> Gene 76Palm Beach /Or/CA
>
> GMC Technical Information
> http://www.california.com/~eagle/