# Need altertnative highspeed internet and pricing. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 2, 2004, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-altertnative-highspeed-internet-and-pricing/272520 "2004-11-02T11:57:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-altertnative-highspeed-internet-and-pricing/272520/1 "2004-11-02T11:57:51Z")
Forget cable and DSL - I can’t get them. I need to know what else might be out there, and if you are using them the pricing (both initial set up and monthly), and reliability. I want to consider all possibilities including multi-link & multi-ppp (multiple phone lines), ISDN, Satellite, sharing a WIFI w/ neighbors, cellular, any other? OK when I say all possibilities, I don’t mean the really expensive ones like T1’s, lets set a $ amount of $150/month. btw internet over power lines are not offered here either so you can leave them out. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-altertnative-highspeed-internet-and-pricing/272520/2 "2004-11-02T12:28:21Z")
> [@](#): > > …sharing a WIFI w/ neighbors… I’m confused about this statement; is DSL (or similar) available in your area, just not to you personally? (it makes a difference to the sort of answers you might get). ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-altertnative-highspeed-internet-and-pricing/272520/3 "2004-11-02T13:51:02Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m confused about this statement; is DSL (or similar) available in your area DSL and Cable is not available in my area. The reason I included WiFi is I have read about long range directional WiFi, as well as neighbors sharing a connection if one already is paying for an alternative option and splitting the costs. Also if I go the cellular route I need a PC card, but would really want it on my desktop, is there a way to use a PC card on a desktop, perhaps a eithernet, USB2 or PCI adapter? Eithernet or USB2 perfered since I can position the card to get the best signal. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-altertnative-highspeed-internet-and-pricing/272520/4 "2004-11-02T15:17:57Z")
Well, you might look into [DirecWay](http://hns.getdway.com/) the satelite internet service offered by DirecTV. I’ve heard mixed reviews about it, and the initial equipment is pretty expensive…around $600 I think. But the monthly cost is $60 a month which is inside your price range. ---
**Author:** ![Servo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@Servo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Servo)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-altertnative-highspeed-internet-and-pricing/272520/5 "2004-11-02T16:53:01Z")
You discount T1s in your OP, but using WiFi to share a T1 with several neighbors could bring the price down below $150/month. Obviously there are a lot of “ifs” in this scenario so it might not be viable for you, but it’s an idea. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-altertnative-highspeed-internet-and-pricing/272520/6 "2004-11-02T19:25:51Z")
> [@](#): > > You discount T1s in your OP, but using WiFi to share a T1 with several neighbors could bring the price down below $150/month. True, but I could do the same w/ other services as well, such as Direcway as well and split a smaller cost. I have also found a fixed wireless provider in my area, well I am at the absolute fringe of his coverage area and a hill might make it a moot point, but monthly cost is about the same as Direcway and a $200 initial cost as opposed to $600. I’m still looking however.