DISH internet service

[derb]

Anyone have experience with Dish internet service.
Your yea or nae would be appreciated.

 

[MichaelColey]

I've avoided it, but from what I've researched and heard from others, it's expensive, not as responsive, and goes out when the weather is bad. Consider all other choices first.

 

[Passepartout]

Slow. Forget streaming. The more devices on it, the slower it is. Only useful if there are no alternatives.

 

[ace2000]

Consider all other choices first.

That's typically the problem. The only "other" viable choices are typically other satellite internet providers. So, the OP's question here may be how is DISH compared to the other satellite providers? In some locations, satellite is the only decent option.

 

[bogey21]

I had Dish a ways back. Currently have DirectTV. IMO DirectTV is 10 times better both in reliability and value for dollars spent.

George

 

[lizap]

Had a friend who had Dish. It is inferior to DirecTv. We have had DirecTv for years and love it. I am worried now that AT&T has bought it, since AT&T has such horrible customer service.

 

[MichaelColey]

That's typically the problem. The only "other" viable choices are typically other satellite internet providers.

There probably ARE other options. Some may not be any better. Some may have other limitations.

I faced the same thing with the house we've lived in for the past 15 years. There were not (and still aren't) any cable providers. There were not any DSL providers (until about a year ago). Cell coverage was spotty.

What I started with was ISDN through the phone company. It was slow (by modern standards, but several times faster than dialup) and expensive, but rock solid reliable.

Another option that seems to pop up in a lot of semi-rural areas is wireless broadband. This was the main option I've used for the past 10 years. It uses similar technology as the WiFi routers in our houses, except higher power, different frequencies, and there are towers spread around. You typically have to be within 2-10 miles of a tower, and a clear line of sight is very important.

A cellular modem/router can be a good option (if you have a good signal), but the biggest downside to avoid is bandwidth limitations. It's a good option to consider if you don't stream video.

I would suggest checking with others in your area to find what they use.

I'm SO glad we now have one DSL provider. It's been SO much better than any previously available option.

 

[easyrider]

Regarding satalite internet service, in the Cascade mountains most people are using Hughsnet or Excede in remote areas. The boyscout camp near Bumping Lake in the William O Douglas wilderness area is using Exceed. Satalite internet doesn't really help with voip too much because of the lag time. For phones they are using satalite phones and ham radio.

Dish is regarded as the worse choice because of the lack of satalites.


Bill

 

[ace2000]

There probably ARE other options. Some may not be any better. Some may have other limitations.

I faced the same thing with the house we've lived in for the past 15 years. There were not (and still aren't) any cable providers. There were not any DSL providers (until about a year ago). Cell coverage was spotty.

What I started with was ISDN through the phone company. It was slow (by modern standards, but several times faster than dialup) and expensive, but rock solid reliable.

Another option that seems to pop up in a lot of semi-rural areas is wireless broadband. This was the main option I've used for the past 10 years. It uses similar technology as the WiFi routers in our houses, except higher power, different frequencies, and there are towers spread around. You typically have to be within 2-10 miles of a tower, and a clear line of sight is very important.

A cellular modem/router can be a good option (if you have a good signal), but the biggest downside to avoid is bandwidth limitations. It's a good option to consider if you don't stream video.

I would suggest checking with others in your area to find what they use.

I'm SO glad we now have one DSL provider. It's been SO much better than any previously available option.

Potentially that's a nice list for the OP and the suggestion to ask the neighbors is a good one. It's all going to depend on their location. There are many that are stuck with satellite being the viable choice. There are lots of locations near us that don't even get cell service. It's all going to depend on where the OP is at.