Internet Options for Rural Areas (1 Viewer)

[ChiefD]

So...we are considering a move to Central Minnesota and thinking of building a lake home there.  One of the critical pieces is finding good internet access as my wife will work from home permanently.

I'm running into some roadblocks with traditional cable internet - the local companies there can get close to the property we are looking at, but are still about 1500 feet away from their closest current customer. I'm working on just paying for the extra feet as part of the building project.

So, as a backup plan, I'm looking for some information. There is satellite internet available, but it looks like it's maxed out at around 30mbs. That "should" be enough to work from home, but makes me nervous.

Anyone have any experience with this? I'm also looking into just getting a max data plan through our phone and using the phone as a hotspot, but not sure if that is even viable.

I know my best bet is to try and get the cable company to extend the wire, but any other thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[eoMMan]

I thought I read both Amazon and Google were both working on being internet providers via satellites.  Not sure when it's a go though.

 

[Fat Nick]

We have a local place where my parents live in rural VA that uses this other technology via some kind of microwave transmission or something.  I'm not up on the exact technology, but basically they have transmitters on towers around town, as well as up on the mountain.  You get a box that mounts on your house and points directly at their transmitter, line-of-sight, and it gives you broad-band.  My parents aim up to the mountain, easily 15 miles away.  I think it's more line-of-sight than actual distance/range that limits it.  It's fast, but bursty....that is, there's a latency in what you get.  You'll click a link, and then nothing, then everything.  

Traditional cable or fiber broadband and DSL both were not an option for my parents so they use this.  It's not cheap, it's not fast...but it works in the middle of nowhere.  Depending on your line of sight and/or terrain, you may ask around and see if something like that exists.

 

[ChiefD]

I thought I read both Amazon and Google were both working on being internet providers via satellites.  Not sure when it's a go though.

Yeah - just saw a piece about Amazon starting this process. Sounds like they are just now getting into it. 

 

[nirad3]

Name change to VikeD?

 

[ChiefD]

Name change to VikeD?

Never.