WildBlue satellite internet service

[Cow Man]

I have been informed by NHEC that they will be discontinuing the WildBlue satellite internet service that some of us use for our webcams on January 31, 2014 - not exactly convenient for islanders! Does anyone know of a replacement provider that can use the existing hardware and deliver acceptable performance?
I'm posting here because I know we all check out the cams for ice in and out and January 31 is just bad timing!

[codeman671]

I have been informed by NHEC that they will be discontinuing the WildBlue satellite internet service that some of us use for our webcams on January 31, 2014 - not exactly convenient for islanders! Does anyone know of a replacement provider that can use the existing hardware and deliver acceptable performance?
I'm posting here because I know we all check out the cams for ice in and out and January 31 is just bad timing!

Doesn't Cow have Fairpoint DSL?

[Crusty]

I looked into Wild Blue (and Hughesnet) about 10 years ago. At that time Wild Blue wasn't accepting new accounts because their satellites were "full" (they added more capacity). I believe that NHEC is just an "authorized agent" and handles installation/maintenance.

Since you are already hooked-up, you should contact Wild Blue and see if you can just pay them directly. I can't imagine that they would want to lose paying customers that are already installed and running.

[upthesaukee]

Looks like you can deal direct, although not cheap.

http://www.wildblue.com/deal/google-wildblue-wwsse?mm_campaign=319a463df02996c1cc4d925e272c6e5f&keyword=wild%20blue&utm_MatchType=p&utm_content={content}&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_term=wild%20blue&utm_campaign=BRANDED-WILDBLUE-NAT-USA-SEARCH-COMPUTER-PHRASE_WILDBLUE-PHRASE-GENERAL&mpch=sem (http://www.wildblue.com/deal/google-wildblue-wwsse?mm_campaign=319a463df02996c1cc4d925e272c6e5f&keyword=wild%20blue&utm_MatchType=p&utm_content={content}&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_term=wild%20blue&utm_campaign=BRANDED-WILDBLUE-NAT-USA-SEARCH-COMPUTER-PHRASE_WILDBLUE-PHRASE-GENERAL&mpch=sem)

[brk-lnt]

I have been informed by NHEC that they will be discontinuing the WildBlue satellite internet service that some of us use for our webcams on January 31, 2014 - not exactly convenient for islanders! Does anyone know of a replacement provider that can use the existing hardware and deliver acceptable performance?
I'm posting here because I know we all check out the cams for ice in and out and January 31 is just bad timing!

There are some cheapish options using cellular broadband. Depending on how your cam operates, you can get a 2GB monthly plan, which would be more than enough for timed updates (an upload every 15 minutes for example).

You'd have to get a contract and a cellular router device. A couple hundred for the hardware and ~$40/mo for the service.

[jazzman]

I use an ATT Wireless Broadplan using their "Unite" modem for backup. It's $50/month for 5gb of data. It's pretty reliable on Big Barn Door. The modem has antenna inputs if you need a little help with signal strength.

I don't know what the chances are that it would make the whole winter without getting hungup at some point. Based on many unhappy years of satellite broadband, I'm amazed that it will run through the winter for you without a little manual help.

[BroadHopper]

I know a number of folks around the lake that has 4G coverage. Verizon Wireless has a 4G modem but you need to pay for GB.

Right now the 'hotspot' is free and the 6GB plan is $40 @ month.

You can also get a Sprint 'hotspot' for free and 6GB for $49 @ month. Sprint will waive roaming charge if you ask.

If you have a hearing loss, Sprint has a deal for you. PM me for details.

[welchislandman]

I use fairpoint DSL service for internet and webcams. 1024kbs speed works pretty well

[Orion]

I use Fairpoint DSL on Cow Island ...3 Mbps. Good enough for a web cam.

[Cow Man]

Tech just left and the Cow Cam is now back in operation!
www.minutemangroup.com/netcam.php