OT - Getting high speed internet in the hinterlands of Michigan
After reading the "cut the cable" topic and seeing all of the good suggestions I thought I'd try my own question. I have a cottage on Lake Michigan (between Manistee and Frankfort) with no available cable, no available DSL (too far from the CO), no cell signal. I need VPN for work so satellite will not work.
1. Cellular - I've tried Wilson Electronics cell booster with both a omni directional and yagi antenna (outside) but cannot pull in a useable signal. I do get a cell signal from Wisconsin (about 80 miles away) but cannot connect using that signal (I think the distance introduces a delay they the equipment can't handle). Even pointing the Yagi antenna inland towards Michigan still gives me a Wisconsin cell signal. I've used the Open Signal app on my Android to locate Michigan cell towers. I'm below a hill and trees and have no line of sight to a Michigan cell tower even from the top of the two story structure. The cell signals from Wisconsin seem to interfere/overpower with anything in Michigan.
2. Wifi - I've tried a Alfa 2.4GHz 24dBi Grid Wireless LAN Antenna - For 802.11b,g, paired with a EnGenius USB Adapter 600mW 802.11b/g/n and my laptop. I can find a few Wifi networks but the signal is intermittent and I can't connect to the networks I find (they seem to be Wisconsin based marinas by the names of the networks).
Other than building a several hundred foot tower (or dialup), does anyone have any other suggestions for getting a high speed data signal?
Do I just drop it along the side of the road to the nearest cable connection or buy 80 miles worth to get to Wisconsin?
offers DSL, if you have not included them when you checked DSL. I have friends in the Northern Lower Peninsula who use it, as well as friends on the fringe of the Detroit metro area. Both are satisfied with it.
I want to say that the other major provider up north is CenturyLink - my parents have a cabin between Atlanta and Hillman on the Huron side and that's who they use. I also believe Charter serves some of the towns in that neck of the woods - Frankfort, Manistee and maybe a few others. You might look into seeing if they offer long-range Wi-Fi options with access to their networks - that might allow you to use the antenna.
I have a mobile hot spot from Verizon. Works very good. I currently live not all that far away from your hinterland area. Verizon seems to be the best in this area although you may be far enough off the beaten path that that may not be an option either. Also, additional contract, monthly charge, blah, blah........
I don't really have advice that can help you right now, but the govt. is transitioning their wireless infrastructure subsidies to broadband subsidies. Those accepting funding need to get VOIP capable broadband to thier area's by 2015 I think. Hopefully your area benefits.
Have you thought of building a several hundred foot tower?
"speed internet" from your title, You'll be all set. Sit back and surf the stars.
it won't hurt to pray for the first kickoff.
Yes, sorry about that but I just don't have any friends....
I live in a valley near the edge of the surveyed world, so options were very limited.
So I called dish to get sat internet - ok speed faster than 3G but a bit laggy when I am running join.me to do webinars Upload speeds not as fast as download or something like that.
I can watch streaming video but things like HD vimeo videos can stop to buffer once in awhile.
Price about the same as Verizon cause you'll probably need a land line too.
In the meantime enjoy the outdoors and the lake and drive to a coffee shop to get internet.
Satellite is the only option where I live, and I VPN into work all the time, as does my wife. Previously, with HughesNet, this was barely possible and things like VoIP, Skype and HD streaming were not possible. With the new Exede service, provisioned last year, those things are possible now, if not great. Pay out the ass for the speeds and bandwidth you get, though it's pretty reliable as long as you keep snow out of the dish.
Trying not to get fired here, but Excede is a pretty huge ripoff.
is available up here via centurylink. adequate for our regular needs, but we're not gamers or true 'high speed' types when it comes to the internet.
"I need VPN for work so satellite won't work".
Why can you not connect to work from a satellite connection? Why do you need to connect to work at your cottage? Have you or can you get your company to try VMWare?
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:29 AM ^
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