Right decision about switching from Hughes to an Aircard

I came across a blog entry by Stephen Fletcher about Hughes satellite Internet service. They are now offering WiFi to their customers - at an additional charge. That must be to make up for their slow speeds. What I didn't know was that Hughes was the lowest-scoring method of Internet connection in the annual PC Magazine Readers Survey on service and reliability. Dial-up scored better.

I experienced that very thing. I have an Earthlink account and it was faster than satellite Internet by Hughes! That plus my shoddy treatment by their customer service gave us the impetus to switch.

We did have a couple of locations on our Four Corners trip where we could not get access through our Aircard. However, I could pick up a WiFi signal by driving somewhere close or do without it for a day or two.

We definitely have faster service and are so far pleased with our Aircard. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Comments

[Ed Greenberg]

You're right. Nobody should still be using satellite internet unless their travels regularly take them out of cellular data coverage AND they need reliable always-on access on a daily basis (such as to earn a living.)

I'm about to call up and inquire about early termination fees for my Starband system.

[Jaime Hall-Bruzenak]

A friend who does need the Internet every day recommended the upgrade to the next higher level of satellite service. He said he was getting good speeds. We would have tried it but it required a two-year contract. That would have been a long time to be stuck if it didn't work for us. Jaimie

[Wandrin]

Although addicted to the internet and needing the daily fix, I found that I can survive for a several days without satellite internet service. With cell phone reception available in most places, the air-card makes RVing life so much easier. That along with wide spread availability of Wi-Fi in remote locations, for me there no longer is a need for the satellite internet.

[Jaime Hall-Bruzenak]

Isn't a relief to not have the Internet sometimes? I'm addicted too and have come to enjoy a few days when I have no service or do a quick check at a coffee shop. Jaimie