Hoping to get a little feedback here.  I've been reading different posts and researching on my own about all the different options available.  Can I give you our situation as I envision it and perhaps get some feedback/ideas?  Satellite is probably not an option due to different factors, mainly price.

Our uses:
1.  Conducting classes via videoconferencing with each class being about 1 to 1-1/2 hours in duration, including uploading of files, desktop sharing, etc.  This would not be every day...well, gee, should would be NICE if it was every day!
2.  Possibly work as a virtual assistant and/or medical transcription.
3.  Maintenance of Web sites, up to 4 or 5 sites.
4.  Regular stuff like email, Skype, etc.
5.  1-4 is just me...then there's DH...his regular use of emails, etc.  He also likes to view cycling clips, is active on cycling boards, and likes to view movies, TV shows.

Okay.  So I'm thinking this is going to eat up 5GB on a Verizon aircard pretty quick.  Perhaps his and hers accounts?  Two MiFi devices and two accounts...?

We would utilize any campground WiFi as available and applicable to our activities online.

Any other thoughts?  Needs to be secure, reliable, accessible.

Thanks!

-- Edited by TxYellowRose on Monday 11th of January 2010 10:48:04 AM

Tethering is not bad for web browsing and basic email and short video clips, I am not sure about downloading movies due to length of time and hitting the 5Gig limit. I tether with ATT which is nice because I can still take and make phone calls while tethered as well as text messaging. In my line of work, dual functionality like this is a 'must have'. Satellite broadband when it comes to live webconferencing, I have found to be iffy at best due to audio delay of the satellite channel. You end up talking over one another and frequently there is echo. Next generation wireless will be a big improvement over 3G. Theoretical limits on 4G is 100Meg which is considerably more than what is commercially out there to a residential house now. But those speeds are still about 5 years out. ATT is upgrading their 3G network to 14.2meg speed. Verizons 3G network tops out at 1.6meg, considerably less. The architecture that Verison implemented, cdma, does not allow it to grow 3G speed as gracefully as ATT's, thus the reason ATT 3G, once upgraded from the current 7.6meg to 14.2meg will be at about the same level as the Verizon 4G network they keep advertising about. ATT will be trialing and implementing 4G later this year as well. I know this doesnt truly answer your question other than your best bet is to be in areas where you can pick up wi-fi or just connect to a landline based (phone or cable) broadband connection if you truly want seamless webconferencing, etc.

The 5GB limit is pretty tough to reach for day in and day out internet use (Checking e-mails, surfing the web, online banking...etc) As soon as you get into high data downloads like videos, video conferencing, big files it's easy to go over the 5GB limit. We've done it 3 times so far with our Verizon aircard. Mostly due to downloading movies. We also have had trouble using Skype with the aircard. WiFi will work for what you describe, but it's not always available and not that secure from what I hear. I think satellite internet would be the best overall solution for you. The second best would be a combination of WiFi, multiple Aircards and tethering. You'd have to decide, which service to use depending upon what you will be doing hour to hour and if WiFi is available.

Bear,

Your second best option of a combination of methods is what I've been contemplating.  Thanks for your input.  Just on a cursory view, I don't think satellite is currently an option.  Will keep looking, though, as we have some time before we hit the road.

Cheers,
Betty

Keep in mind that if you are using this for business purposes the cost of the system and operation are a legitimate business expense and are tax deductible. A roof mounted, automatic Datastorm is about $5000 and the ground setup is about $2000. Either of them will cost about $70 a month for service. There is a larger system, but I don't know the cost.

Campground wifi is so variable I am surprised anyone would recommend it.  My experience is over 50% could not handle video conferencing and downloading movies.  Remember that campgrounds are often out of town where they don't have the fastest DSL or cable connections, unlike motels which are often in town where they have access to the fastest internet.

All of the cell phone systems now have 5GB limits, including tethering plans.  You are going to have to try one of those video conferences where you can monitor the internet usage to see if it will work for you.  It doesn't matter how fast the AT&T 3G/4G network is supposed to be, what matters is if it is where you are and how fast the local system actually works.  AT&T has much less 3G coverage than Verizon, mostly it has Edge, which is much slower.  (I have an AT&T phone that tells me what level the internet service is, but I don't use the internet capability of the phone.)  Verizon is going to LTE for 4G, which is not CDMA, much like Sprint has gone to WiMax for 4G instead of CDMA.  Sprint has a combined 3G/4G USB modem for $70/month, but the 4G is only in some cities and the 3G still has a 5GB limit.  The MBR series routers from Cradlepoint can support multiple aircards (and some tethered phones) and can load balance them so you can combine them to up the monthly limit.  This might be your best option, but it will cost you. 

I have satellite internet, a Verizon aircard but this post is using campground wifi since it is pretty good here in Fort Myers Beach, FL.  The campground wifi limits me to 720MB in 48 hours.  This campground is in town.

Are you trying to make money on any of this?  If so these are business expenses and you have to evaluate them as business expenses and look at the income from the business to see if it is practical. 

The only Rvers I know who download movies use satellite internet during the late night free periods, which are 2AM to 7AM Eastern for Hughes.net and midnight to 7AM for Starband.  They use programs to break the movie files into pieces and use download managers to download the pieces while they sleep.  You can download 1 to 2GB per night during the free period, which does not count against your download limit.    Otherwise downloading movies and TV shows is for home users, you have to give it up when you go on the road.