FUSTRATION

[Igiveup]

Some time back Verizon went to 4G. Since then we have been getting very poor service. We live in the mountains, so service is sometimes problamatic at best, but we generally have "one bar" at least, for phone and computer. Lately, the Wifi just shuts of with "no service". We could get a land line phone, but the expense would be greater. I was told that Verizon is working on their towers to update, and service will be problamatic for awhile. I have thought about Hughes service, but cost is more and requires a contract, and living amongst the pine trees, we worry we won't get good satilite service. I feel better now after this long rant. Anyone use Hughes?

 

[Kanewpadle]

Heard nothing but horror stories about Hughes. Check with Verizon about 5G internet.

 

[El Juero]

Have you tried VIASAT? Similar to Hughes but I get better download speed.

 

[jjrr]

Check with US Cellular I had the same problem with Verizon and discovered that us cellular had way better coverage so I switched and that was the end of the problem. Verizon seems more interested in the streets of the big cities than the rural areas.

 

[LVSteve]

Give the pine trees a haircut if they are on your property.

 

[riverrat38]

We switched from VIASAT to Starlink and it is about ten times better for the same price. A lot of RV'ers are using it now. Both services are about $110 per month, with all the taxes. No contract with Starlink, but there is about a $500 up front cost for the equipment. Problem with being in the mountains might be trees. VIASAT needs a line of sight to a stationary satellite in the southern sky and Starlink needs a good view of the northern sky. Not just one location. But, I don't think either of these services support cell phone service. You can use them for "streaming" internet phones for a connection charge.

73,
Rick

 

[Jinglebob]

Heard nothing but horror stories about Hughes. Check with Verizon about 5G internet.

I had Hughes when I lived in the country. Worst service I have ever experienced.

 

[Peak53]

While not a fan of Elon Musk personally, I can say that the Starlink system is serving me well in my remote location. The speed beats Hughesnet 10-1. I dropped my landline and use my cell phone over the internet exclusively. Startup costs are a bit pricey plus $110 monthly, but for me it is worth it. No data limits, streaming galore. You must have clear sky to the north, which is opposite of other satellite systems.

 

[Onomea]

I do not have experience with 'em, but cell phone boosters for the home are available. Would be worth a bit of research, I think.

 

[Igiveup]

I live in the trees, a haircut isn't really plausible. The trees are mostly Ponderosa Pine and are taller than I want to climb. I haven't heard of a cell phone booster. Our house phone is also on Verizon, about $23 a month, cheaper than the land line, but it, too, has started to drop calls. I am going to town tomorrow and might stop in at Verizon and see about the boosters. Thanks for all the recommendations.

 

[Tom Beavert]

Missed, check on line for your booster, not Verizon. others here may have suggestions.
TB

 

[twodog max]

I had Hughes net for 4 years and far from perfect but heads above better than the phone line internet we had previously. Then our electric coop installed fiber optic all over their system. Great speed. If I were to move deeper in the hills and could not get fiber I would certainly try Starlink but would use Hughes again if no other option was available.
I live with lots of trees and never had any problems caused by the trees

 

[zwartepiet]

We had similar issues with Verizon cell strength in UP of Michigan. Got a weBoost signal booster and it improved cell service significantly…..from 1 or no bars to 3-4 bars. It's not cheap, but it proved to be a simple effective solution.

 

[glowe]

Check out this website. When we had ATT, I had to buy a multi-room booster for the home. Very hilly plus the Gogebic Range is full of iron ore, which also interferes with signal. Bought an outside directional antenna because the inside antennas did not do the job. Worked great, until ATT changed out their tower. Lost signal for good, but now I switched to a Verizon tower and have clear signal without the use of the booster. You might check to see which tower is closest to you??

Home MultiRoom | Cell Signal Booster For Home | weBoost

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I had Hughes Net when I lived where there was nothing else available. It wasn't nearly as fast as cable, but the worst thing was their Data limits. Exceed your limit and they slowed you down to snail speed for 24 hours. If you wanted to get speeded back up it took a phone call and a credit card. The limit wasn't very much, about watching two YouTube videos. It cost big bucks to get out of the 2 year contract...the day it expired I dumped them.

You need a clean shot to the satellite....no trees, no snow, no heavy rain, and no storm clouds between your antenna and the satellite. I'd never consider using them again.