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here are a variety of options for mobile internet. First of all, you need to determine if you want or need internet while "in motion". If you do, then a cellular-based system is about your only cost effective option. The second question is whether you absolutely "must" have internet wherever you go. If so, then satellite-based internet is your only option.
Cellular is much less expensive. For about $200 to $400 dollars you can get a wireless router that you can plug an aircard into and share a single aircard among several users. As long as you have a cellular signal, you will have internet. Speeds vary based upon the local infrastructure. Even if you have a REV A card, if you are in a 1xrtt area, then you will only have speeds around 100kbps. If you move into an area with EVDO hardware, then speeds go up to around 400 kbps down and 120 kbps up. If you move into a REV A equipped area, then speeds will be around 600 to 700 kbps down and 300 to 400 kbps up. The downside to all of this is that some areas don't have sufficient cellular coverage to ensure good performance.
Satellite is more expensive. A manual tripod that you would set up outside your RV, like the one referenced in the post by Sandy costs about $1200. I'm not sure why the one in the website Sandy mentioned is $2,800. A good tripod system starts at around $1,200. The alternative is a roof mounted automatic system like the DataStorm. The cost with installation will be around $5,200 to $5,600 depending on options and the quality of install. The advantage to the automatic is that you only need to push a button, and in 5 to 10 minutes, you are online. The disadvantage to the automatic systems is the initial cost, as well as the monthly cost. The montly cost for the manual dish is $59 and the monthly cost for the automatic starts at $79.
To determine which is best for you, think about how often you will need or use the internet. For those of us with the automatic dishes, if we stop at a rest stop and want to check our e-mail, we push a button and that's it. Not many manual tripod users will go to the trouble to set up a dish just to check their mail.
Each system, (cellular, manual satellite, auto satellite) has their own advantages and disadvantages. If you let us know what your intended usage is, we would be happy to make some recommendations.
I hope this helps you.
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