Options to Dial-Up - No DSL accessibility

---

@ELR wrote:

DSL access is unavailable via our phone line. Likewise, cable is not available at our location. We just got a new Dell desktop, but our dial-up internet is putting a wet blanket on our new computer capabilities.

 

Have looked and cost compared 2-3 satellite services available. However, when talking with AT & T, (current dial-up provider), the sales rep came up with the idea of signing up for one of their new "connect cards", as a viable and far more affordable option that we would just plug into a USB port.

 

Is this really an option with our home desktop?

 

She said we'd have a 1.5 mpps connectionthrew around the term 5G montly limit for the $60/mo - is she talking download (i.e. internet content viewed)? Is that a realistic amount that 2 adults, a teen, and occasional college student would consume? or is that way low?

 

@(she quoted the card itself @ $99, billed on your ATT phone bill, but a $100 visa rebate card is issued.)

 

Any technical thoughts or actual experiences using this as a method to get high-speed at home on a desktop?

---

5G?

I think you mean 3G.

You should check the coverage map over at their website to see whether you live in an area with the service.

Unless this is a plan that is new or not advertised on their website, mobile broadband is "capped" at 5GB a month. Many people can easily exceed that in one day of heavy usage.

I use the AT&T mobile broadband service on a laptop I take to work to check my email and do occasional web surfing. I have had no trouble getting online.

back in the days before cable took off, i found that binding two 56k modems together made a noticable different.  of course, you need a compatible ISP, two modems, and two phone lines. 

anyone still do that?

---

@NemesisDB wrote:

back in the days before cable took off, i found that binding two 56k modems together made a noticable different.  of course, you need a compatible ISP, two modems, and two phone lines. 

 

anyone still do that?

---

Coincidentally, I was talking about this just yeterday. Ah, the joys of shotgunning. :)

I don't know if it is still done very often, but if you have the software to manage the connections (I don't remember if the OS can manage it on its own) then there is no reason you can't do this even now, assuming more than one phone line is available.

Satellite is available, but is initially much more expensive when you factor in installation and equipment purchase or monthly lease.  Also, some users in our area indicate satellite is weather sensitive and assuming wireless is comparable to cell wireless, that connection is pretty steady in our area.  Those were the 2 reasons the card seemed like a good idea.

However, if according to the one response, 5G could be used easily in a day, then this probably isn't a feasible monthly allowance - particularly with a teen in house.

Oh well,  go satellite I guess.  (Its just SO much more expensive than dial-up OR DSL services.)

Any thoughts on whose the better provider?  I know Wild Blue (either via ATT or directly) and Hughes net are both available where we live.

Hughes is a name I know but the service will be no better than the installation.  See if you can get some sort of performance guarantee on a 30 day basis to test the system.

We use satellite where I am now, and you do get used to it but a teenager would send you to the poor house on a cell connection with all the downloading they do.

Better do alot of research if you are planning on either Hughes or WildBlue satellite service. My experience with Hughes was one of the worst night mares I could have imagined. 

Both have caps, neither are suitable for most on-line game applications (if your teenager does gaming) & many folk's are experiencing daily slowdowns (throttling).  

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/sat