Specializing in High-Speed, Fixed-Point, Wireless Rural Broadband Internet Access and Digital Home Phone for Northern Solano County, California

Solano Wireless Internet
High-Speed, Fixed-Point, Wireless Rural Broadband Internet Access for Northern Solano County, California
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Comparison of 5.7GHz Wireless to Dialup,  Satellite, Cellular and 2.4GHz Wireless Internet Access

In General
If you live or work in an area that cannot get broadband Internet like DSL or cable Internet, your options are generally dialup, satellite, cellular or wireless Internet access. While dialup, satellite and cellular Internet access are usually nationwide services, wireless Internet is a locally-operated service as the best technology today can only broadcast a wireless signal 10-28 miles.
 


Satellite Internet
Satellite Internet connects between a satellite receiver on your roof and a orbiting satellites. In order to use satellite Internet, you generally only need a clear exposure to the Southern sky. The two primary service providers are HughesNet and WildBlue.

In most cases, you will be required to purchase and maintain the equipment (e.g. software updates). Satellite Internet is much faster than dialup Internet, however download and upload speeds may vary greatly, and there typically is a latency period which makes VPN or voice-over-IP (VoIP) connections impractical.

Furthermore, additional costs are typically incurred for antenna re-alignments or adjustments.

Pros: Much faster than dialup (20-40X faster). Only requires a clear sight of the southern sky. Available at any location, no matter how remote.

Cons: Latency period which makes VPN or voice-over-IP (VoIP) connections impractical. Static IP address may be unavailable or available for an additional charge. Speeds may vary greatly. Threshold limits imposed (e.g. daily or monthly maximum usage). May be affected by weather conditions.

Cost: Typical costs are $50-150/month. Equipment and installation costs $329-$600.
 


Fixed-Point Wireless Internet
5.7GHz vs 2.4GHz vs 900MHz Wireless Internet
Wireless Internet connects between a wireless receiver on your roof  and a line-of-site transmitting tower (usually atop a mountain or tall tower). If you cannot "see" the transmitting tower(s) from your roof, then wireless may not an option for you.

Wireless Internet can operate on various frequencies, commonly 900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.7GHz. There are many "other devices" that also operate on the 900MHz and/or 2.4GHz frequencies including cordless phones, wireless routers, TV remotes, microwave ovens, garage door openers, wireless game controllers, wireless phone headsets, etc. In addition, HAM radios and satellite FM radio has also been reported to affect the 2.4GHz frequency. All of these devices may cause interference issues with wireless Internet broadcasted on the 2.4GHz frequency.

2.4GHz Wireless Internet Antennas

   

YDI Etherant Panel

TELEX Panel
   

Tranzeo Panel
 

Pros: Much faster than dialup (20-50X faster). Connect multiple computers to the Internet via a router. Not affected by weather conditions.

Cons: Requires line-of-sight from property to transmitting tower. Many interfering devices may disrupt service. Typically requires equipment purchase and maintenance (e.g. software updates).

Cost: Typical costs are $49-99/month. Equipment and installation costs ~$399.

 

Dialup Internet
Dialup requires a telephone line for Internet access. If you only have one line, it will tie-up your telephone (busy signals) as long as you are online. If your telephone lines are old, your connection speed may be much slower than your modem has the capacity of providing.

Pros: Available at most locations as long as telephone service is available.

Cons: Slowest connection to the Internet. Service affected by telephone line quality/age. Dialup numbers may not be local and incur an additional per minute charge. If you only have one line, it will tie-up your telephone (busy signals) as long as you are online. Frequent disconnections.

Cost: Typical costs are $10-$25/month. Usually no setup costs.
 


Cellular Phone Wireless (aka Mobile Broadband)
Several cell phone companies now offer high-speed wireless Internet via a cellular wireless card connected to your laptop. This cellular wireless card is not the same as a laptop wireless card used to connect to a home router or wifi network at a hotspot location (e.g. Starbucks).

A cellular wireless card works like dialup Internet access, but uses your cell phone to connect to the Internet. Cell phone wireless gives you the flexibility of connecting to the Internet from anywhere where you have cell phone signal. Speeds are much faster than dialup but you cannot "share" your connection with other users, and you may incur per-minute charges (depending on the plan you select).

Pros: Much faster than dialup (20-50X faster). Available at any location where you have cell phone coverage. Great for mobile professionals (e.g. realtors, field operators, etc.).

Cons: Internet connections drop (just like regular cell phone calls do). Cannot share the Internet connection with other computers. May incur per-minute charges (depending on the plan you select).

Cost: Typical costs are $50-150/month. Setup fees may be required.
 


5.7GHz Wireless Internet Antenna
Wireless Internet connects between a wireless receiver on your roof  and a line-of-site transmitting tower (usually atop a mountain or tall tower). If you cannot "see" the transmitting tower(s) from your roof, then wireless may not an option for you.

Pros: Much faster than dialup (50-100X faster), satellite (3-5X faster), mobile broadband (3-5X faster) and 2.4GHz wireless (2-3X faster). Connect multiple computers to the Internet via a router. Not affected by weather conditions.

Cons: Requires line-of-sight from property to transmitting tower/relay, so not available at all addresses.

Cost: Typical costs are $59+/month. Equipment and installation costs $274 to 349 (depending on distance to transmitter).

 

Speeds and Pricing
As far as speeds and pricing, below is a summary of the types of Internet connections described above. All information current as of May 2008.

 

Internet Type

Monthly Cost

Equip./
Install Cost

Burstable Speeds up to

Contract
Length

Notes

Dialup Internet
(numerous)

varies
$8 to $25

n/a

ranges from
28 to 50 Kbps
(0.028-0.050 Mbps)

month-to-month

May need additional phone line to free main phone line for calls

Mobile Broadband
(Verizon, Sprint, etc.)

varies
$? to $?

varies

1-2 Mbps down
0.256 Mbps up

12-24 months

Can use anywhere in US where cell signal is available

Satellite Internet
(WildBlue)

Value Pak, $49.95

$329

0.512 Mbps down
0.128 Mbps up

12 months

Dynamic IP (no VPN or static IP). Use "thresholds" which means you can only download or upload so much per month
Select Pak, $69.95 $329 1 Mbps down
0.2 Mbps up

12 months

Pro Pak, $79.95 $329 1.5 Mbps down
0.256 Mbps up

12 months

Satellite Internet
(HughesNet)

Small Office, $99.99 $599.98 1.5 Mbps down
0.3 Mbps up
24 months

Dynamic IP (static IP, $10/ mo.). Use "thresholds" which means you can only download or upload so much per month

Business, $179.99 $599.98 2 Mbps down
0.5 Mbps up
24 months

2.4GHz Wireless Internet

Home, $49 $399 1.5 Mbps down
0.5 Mbps up

12 months

Static IP included

Bus., $99 $399 1.5 Mbps down
0.5 Mbps up

12 months

Static IP included

5.8GHz Wireless Internet
(Solano Wireless)

Res./Bus. 3000, $59

$349

3 Mbps down
1 Mbps up

month-to-month

Static IP included;
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