We're looking at a phone card vs a major investment for satellite. I understand the satellite, unlimited means unlimited. But the phone card says unlimited and then in fine print 5GB/mo. Speeds are comparable (I think), and not much difference in monthly costs, but initial layout is big for the satellite, plus I can't use it with out setting it all up. The questions is how can I figure out how much(GB) I use? The last thing I need is a contract for 2 years and a product that won't do what I need or is limited.
Please don't parrot the salesman when he told me I'd never use 5GB a month, last time someone told me something like that I found myself with others in a desert, waiting to get shot at...

Whoever is trying to sell you a satellite with that unlimited lie is someone to run far away from!

Unlimited on a satellite means exactly what it does on the cell card, you can connect 24x7. It does not mean you can transfer an unlimited amount of data. Satellites also have very restrictive data limits which vary by the provider and plan you select.

Whatever you are using to connect with should have some basic information on how much data you move in the connection properties. If you tell us what you are using someone should be able to provide the exact steps to find it.

5 GB is plenty for basic web surfing and e-mail and suits most people, same goes for the data limits on the satellite systems. If you have big data to move drop in at a Starbucks or other well connected hotspot and hook in using WiFi, most RV parks aren't well connected and will get crabby if you try to grab a 4 GB file.

Considering all the drawbacks of a satellite system the cell is the way to go unless you are in areas where there is no cell signal. Your satellite seller may have "forgotten" to mention the slow speeds that make any secure connection creep and ping times that rule out much interactive stuff so you'd be well served to do your own homework on this and not end up with some nasty surprises.

I had a tripod mounted satellite for several years and it was just what I needed since I was out of cell range a lot. Next time I need a mobile hookup I'm sure going to give the cell card a good look before I plunk down for an automatic satellite setup, the tripod is out as my shoulder is not up to mounting it anymore.

As an experiment, I think the least costly option might be to use an EVDO-capable phone tethered to the computer. I know Verizon and I believe other providers do not require a commitment such as required for satellite or aircard.

If it turns out your travel is such that you're mostly in EVDO areas, then it could make sense to upgrade to the aircard.

I believe that will also give you the option of VOIP, which you wouldn't have with satellite.

Unless you're trying to do P2P sharing or streaming vid, 5gigs should be more than adequate.

I downloaded a little program called NetMeter. It's free. And fairly basic. But it gives a pretty reasonable idea of how much bandwidth I've used over time.

I'm way over 5GB a month. My June usage figures (both up and down) are 9.142GB while my July figures are at 5.614GB... and it's July 17th as I type this.

I don't consider myself the heaviest of users as I don't really spend a lot of time watching movies online. I do a few YouTube videos from time and I run a daytrading program with live data feeds... aside from the regular chat forums and e-mail.

That's just me, it doesn't include my wife, who also likes to do e-mail, her online Sudoku and crosswords, etc.

But knowing what I do about my usage, I'm reluctant to look at aircards just yet as I'd be up against that "5GB wall" by about mid month. I figure if I really want to go the aircard route, I'll have to set up two accounts to remain within their limits.

I do not know how much bandwidth can be had with the satellite internet packages. I have been told it's higher than the aircard but I haven't tried to verify that yet.

FWIW...

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

Brian

You can get anything you are willing to pay for on a satellite link. Most folks get on one of the couple cheapest plans and are happy. Bumping up a bit you get faster ping times (improves all interactive stuff and secure sites) and more data transfer and faster recovery rates to help keep you out of the FAP restrictions.

http://www.motosat.com/downloads/var/dwaymobile_is_packages.pdf

http://www.motosat.com/downloads/var/dwayent/Hughes_Mobile_Enterprise.pdf

Other providers are also available.

To compare the air card use to Mobil Satellite through a VAR at $79.99 a month.

A air card has 5G a month to use.

Satellite has 375MB in 24 hours that will equal to around 11G a month. Plus you have 3 early morning hours every day of unlimited download that don't count in the 375MB. So you really have 375MG in 21 hours to use.

In 5 years of using Satellite Internet I have never hit a FAP. I have never downloaded a movie, but do watch some YouTube videos a times.