Comparison of 5.8GHz 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 AT&T DSL or Comcast Internet, your options are generally dialup, satellite, cellular or wireless Internet access. While dialup, satellite and cellular Internet access are nationwide services, wireless Internet is a locally-operated service as the best technology today can only broadcast a wireless signal 10-28 miles.
 

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. No setup costs.
 

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 during the day, and there typically is a 1-3 second latency period which makes VPN or voice-over-IP (VoIP) connections impractical.

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: 1-3 second 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 during the day.

Cost: Typical costs are $50-150/month (see table below). Equipment and installation costs $329-$600.
 

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). Expensive.

Cost: Typical costs are $50-150/month (see table below). Setup fees may be required.
 

Fixed-Point Wireless Internet
5.8GHz 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 5.8GHz. 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.

At present, interfering devices for the 5.8GHz frequency are few (e.g. cordless phones) and therefore Internet connection on the 5.8GHz frequency is more reliable.

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.

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

Cost: Typical costs are $49-99/month (see table below). Equipment and installation costs ~$399.

5.8GHz Wireless Internet Antenna

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.

Cons: Requires line-of-sight from property to transmitting tower.

Cost: Typical costs are $59/month (see table below). 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 February 2008.