Internet on the Islands

MAXUM · 01-28-2018, 12:55 PM

This time of year using a mobile hotspot is fine, in fact sitting on Bear right now is what 'm using. Come summer time it gets painfully slow at times.

eillac@dow · 01-28-2018, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the Speedy responses. I may try calling Fairpoint and Metrocast tomorrow.

Has anyone ever heard of or used Hughes?

Thanks!

welch-time · 01-28-2018, 02:21 PM

Hughes net is a satellite based system so you need a dish and a clear view to the horizon.
It's more expensive than ground based internet (cable, DSL, fiber). It's also subject to interruptions caused by bad weather.
If you already have land line phone service, that's the way to go.

eillac@dow · 01-28-2018, 04:00 PM

See that’s the thing, I don’t believe we can get FairPoint/Metrocast at the Island. No land line.

I have to talk to my neighbors. I was recently told that one uses Hughes, which I had never heard of. I know 2others use basically the same thing as us. I also need to call Verizon to check on their plans....because most summer months we go over our data plans and it gets very costly.

Finally, add into all of this.....I am basically clueless when it comes to this!

Thank you!

Descant · 01-28-2018, 05:09 PM

I ran into a guy on the dock a couple of years ago who wanted Wi-Fi on his boat i.e. no landline. He had a wi-fi antenna that he claimed had about 1 mile reception.. The operation relied on the fact that many people don't protect their Wi-Fi. I think he built it himself, but I suspect there are commercial products available. Depending on your location, perhaps there is a line of sight to M-boro Neck where you could get a resident to give you his Wi-Fi password.

Landline? Most of us on Welch get DSL. At my mainland home, I'm too far from the source to get DSL. Point is, maybe landline won't solve the problem even if you can hook up.

welch-time · 01-28-2018, 05:45 PM

What about a high-end 4G mobile hot spot using a pre paid monthly plan? That way you would only pay for the months you were on the island as opposed to signing a 2 year contract.
ATT shows $50 for 5gb per month, and $10 per additional 1Gb. Plus you can take it with you and use it on the road if needed.

Mark

codeman671 · 01-28-2018, 06:56 PM

We used to use Hughesnet years ago. The latency (lag time) was annoying plus they limit the amount of data per 24hr period. On occasion we were locked out of our service by a particular someone next door streaming off our wifi. Sucked up our allotted data and shut us down.

I know one forum member remembers that.

As soon as fairpoint set up dsl to the island we switched.
Nowadays I would stay with cellular if I had no other choice.

upthesaukee · 01-29-2018, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eillac@dow

See that’s the thing, I don’t believe we can get FairPoint/Metrocast at the Island. No land line.

I have to talk to my neighbors. I was recently told that one uses Hughes, which I had never heard of. I know 2others use basically the same thing as us. I also need to call Verizon to check on their plans....because most summer months we go over our data plans and it gets very costly.

Finally, add into all of this.....I am basically clueless when it comes to this!

Thank you!

Think outside the box.

Instead of trying to figure out how to get internet so you can make that part of your rental advertising, turn that around. Enjoy the peace and quiet of island life. On those occasions where there is the need to connect to the internet, (good) (excellent) coverage is available. We use (Verizon) (AT&T) for our cell service.

Turn what you feel may be a negative into a peaceful positive. Good luck with your decision.

Dave

Sent from my SM-T580 using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

codeman671 · 01-29-2018, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

Think outside the box.

Instead of trying to figure out how to get internet so you can make that part of your rental advertising, turn that around. Enjoy the peace and quiet of island life. On those occasions where there is the need to connect to the internet, (good) (excellent) coverage is available. We use (Verizon) (AT&T) for our cell service.

Turn what you feel may be a negative into a peaceful positive. Good luck with your decision.

Dave

Sent from my SM-T580 using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

We rented last year at the Point on Six Mile Island, a beautiful property owned by wonderful people. I was surprised when I got out there that they did not have internet. My kids were disappointed and it was a bit harder to work, but it wasn't bad being without it. I can see where it would be a big inconvenience to some by not having it.

Water Camper · 01-29-2018, 03:49 PM

At home in Pembroke, NH we have voice, Video, Data thru Comcast. At the lake we have no service other than our cell phones and a DVD player attached to our Tube type TV. We find it nice to get away from all of the commotion and tend to spend our evenings watching the sun set over the lake. Each to their own, but for us, it is our way of getting away.

My 2 cents,
Bill

eillac@dow · 01-29-2018, 08:19 PM

I definitely hear what you are saying about maybe advertising the “Pros” of getting alway from it all...with no internet. We did many many years without a TV. And to date, we have had no issues getting rentals. We only rent 2-3 weeks.

But we are not just doing this for “rentals”....we are also looking for a better option for our family. I know I would love to be able to spend that extra night and “work from home” on the island.

We are going to check out many of the options that you all have suggested.

Also thanks for the info on Hughes....I never even considered there being a limit within a 24 hr period!

Thanks everyone. Appreciate it.

Descant · 01-29-2018, 10:52 PM

We spent several summer weeks at an AMC camp where there was no cable, cell. etc. Very relaxing.. Try it. You'll love it.
At our island camp, we have access to landline telephone and satellite TV and we pretty much agree to not pay for such services.

After all, it's an ISLAND.

01-28-2018, 02:21 PM	#3
welch-time Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Welch Island Posts: 117 Thanks: 5 Thanked 66 Times in 31 Posts	Hughes net is a satellite based system so you need a dish and a clear view to the horizon. It's more expensive than ground based internet (cable, DSL, fiber). It's also subject to interruptions caused by bad weather. If you already have land line phone service, that's the way to go. Last edited by welch-time; 01-28-2018 at 03:12 PM.

01-28-2018, 05:45 PM	#6
welch-time Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Welch Island Posts: 117 Thanks: 5 Thanked 66 Times in 31 Posts	What about a high-end 4G mobile hot spot using a pre paid monthly plan? That way you would only pay for the months you were on the island as opposed to signing a 2 year contract. ATT shows $50 for 5gb per month, and $10 per additional 1Gb. Plus you can take it with you and use it on the road if needed. Mark Last edited by welch-time; 01-29-2018 at 06:27 PM.

01-29-2018, 03:49 PM	#10
Water Camper Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pembroke, NH / Laconia, NH Posts: 451 Thanks: 10 Thanked 207 Times in 89 Posts	Isn't the quiet nice At home in Pembroke, NH we have voice, Video, Data thru Comcast. At the lake we have no service other than our cell phones and a DVD player attached to our Tube type TV. We find it nice to get away from all of the commotion and tend to spend our evenings watching the sun set over the lake. Each to their own, but for us, it is our way of getting away. My 2 cents, Bill

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01-28-2018, 12:55 PM	#1
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	This time of year using a mobile hotspot is fine, in fact sitting on Bear right now is what 'm using. Come summer time it gets painfully slow at times.

01-28-2018, 01:55 PM	#2
eillac@dow Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dow Island & Weymouth, MA Posts: 365 Thanks: 295 Thanked 94 Times in 48 Posts	Thanks for the Speedy responses. I may try calling Fairpoint and Metrocast tomorrow. Has anyone ever heard of or used Hughes? Thanks!

01-28-2018, 04:00 PM	#4
eillac@dow Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dow Island & Weymouth, MA Posts: 365 Thanks: 295 Thanked 94 Times in 48 Posts	See that’s the thing, I don’t believe we can get FairPoint/Metrocast at the Island. No land line. I have to talk to my neighbors. I was recently told that one uses Hughes, which I had never heard of. I know 2others use basically the same thing as us. I also need to call Verizon to check on their plans....because most summer months we go over our data plans and it gets very costly. Finally, add into all of this.....I am basically clueless when it comes to this! Thank you!

01-28-2018, 05:09 PM	#5
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,471 Thanks: 1,383 Thanked 1,665 Times in 1,084 Posts	I ran into a guy on the dock a couple of years ago who wanted Wi-Fi on his boat i.e. no landline. He had a wi-fi antenna that he claimed had about 1 mile reception.. The operation relied on the fact that many people don't protect their Wi-Fi. I think he built it himself, but I suspect there are commercial products available. Depending on your location, perhaps there is a line of sight to M-boro Neck where you could get a resident to give you his Wi-Fi password. Landline? Most of us on Welch get DSL. At my mainland home, I'm too far from the source to get DSL. Point is, maybe landline won't solve the problem even if you can hook up.

01-28-2018, 06:56 PM	#7
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,546 Thanks: 222 Thanked 830 Times in 501 Posts	We used to use Hughesnet years ago. The latency (lag time) was annoying plus they limit the amount of data per 24hr period. On occasion we were locked out of our service by a particular someone next door streaming off our wifi. Sucked up our allotted data and shut us down. I know one forum member remembers that. As soon as fairpoint set up dsl to the island we switched. Nowadays I would stay with cellular if I had no other choice.

01-29-2018, 08:19 PM	#11
eillac@dow Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dow Island & Weymouth, MA Posts: 365 Thanks: 295 Thanked 94 Times in 48 Posts	I definitely hear what you are saying about maybe advertising the “Pros” of getting alway from it all...with no internet. We did many many years without a TV. And to date, we have had no issues getting rentals. We only rent 2-3 weeks. But we are not just doing this for “rentals”....we are also looking for a better option for our family. I know I would love to be able to spend that extra night and “work from home” on the island. We are going to check out many of the options that you all have suggested. Also thanks for the info on Hughes....I never even considered there being a limit within a 24 hr period! Thanks everyone. Appreciate it.

01-29-2018, 10:52 PM	#12
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,471 Thanks: 1,383 Thanked 1,665 Times in 1,084 Posts	We spent several summer weeks at an AMC camp where there was no cable, cell. etc. Very relaxing.. Try it. You'll love it. At our island camp, we have access to landline telephone and satellite TV and we pretty much agree to not pay for such services. After all, it's an ISLAND.