Vehicle Internet Access.

Hello,
I have been searching around for information on how to gain internet access in a moving or stationary vehicle, my van. I am hoping to find something that will allow me to gain 4-5mb/s internet speeds in my van as I have hooked up a computer in the back. The only thing I could find was a satellite dish and was hoping that someone could possibly link me to some more useful resources; I would not mind a dish but was hoping for some advice.
Thank you, Duck

Edit: I live in the U.K

Edited by deleted (Sat 29-Oct-11 17:18:39)

Very hard while moving as requires view of southern sky, while stationary kit to auto position dish around GBP 2000

Have you tried mobile broadband routers, and an external 3G antenna yet?

http://threestore.three.co.uk/broadband/?mifipayg=1&...

or

http://threestore.three.co.uk/broadband/

Ah, Sorry, I didn't mean while moving, I will edit my post. Thanks for the info.

Satellite as in two way stuff is hard to do as need to submit a location report each time, to ensure your uplink does not cause airplane/radar other issues too.

3G is the way to go

With previous use of dongles I have found that they rarely get over 1.5mb/s speed and I am hoping to use my computer frequently so I don't really want any limits, thanks for the info though.

Edited by deleted (Sat 29-Oct-11 17:22:26)

Many 3G product advertise at: 'up to 7mb' when many satellites say: 'up to 4mb'. I�m confused why a little dongle has more power, or is this just for show? Is it because a satellite has a more reliable and larger range for connection?

3G and Satellite use VERY different frequency ranges and very much harder to hit a satellite 24,000km away in space, than have a cheap PCB antenna that can pick up a 3G signal from a base station.

3G is dependant on your location, so parked on dartmoor probably not good.

All depends on where you are using it...

Satellite you cannot just drive to xyz and use it, you need to check a few days before fill paperwork in etc

Satellite services are expensive if you want unlimited usage, i.e. more expensive than a 3G dongle.

Thank you, from what you said I'm guessing a dongle would be good in urban areas and satellites are just for use in remote places for excursions etc?

Satellite two way needs this place visiting every time you move...
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-lic...

So ok if staying in one place for a few days/weeks but no good for say someone who moves around all the time.

Thanks for the info Saffron, I am looking around for a 3G router now, any recommendations? Is there any add-ons or devices to vastly increase the range of 3G connection?

Antenna, i,e better signal when not in a metal box http://www.solwise.co.uk/3g-antenna-outdoor.htm

http://www.solwise.co.uk/3g-routers-outdoor-aap-2410... might be worth a look

Right, so that second link is in a sense an amplifier box for a SIM card so that if you are getting coverage of up to �7mb� with your provider you will get it as it says up to 150mb/s, or is that LAN? Anyway, is 3G not a router or dongle or can you just buy a SIM separately?

I have never been anywhere where there is not a BT Fon or Openzone access point.

That is the lan the 150Mbps...if a cell tower can only supply 7Mbps you cannot get faster than that

So is what I am looking for is a 3G router? Would that offer the best connection and speed for a Van? That device you showed me, do you need a SIM for that and where would I find one that supports good internet coverage? I'm sorry for all the questions I have never had a phone or got involved in broadband. Also is there such thing as 4G?

Edited by deleted (Sat 29-Oct-11 20:03:17)

That device just needs a sim, talk to Solwise about which networks it works with,

3G coverage is patchy, and you can often find it dropping to 110Kbps, particularly when on the move.

Best bet (and as most tech travellers do) is carry sim's, or dongles for a variety of providers, or just go to a cafe with free wi-fi.

As I understand it, and Andrew will correct me if I'm wrong, you (probably) do not need a router.

You may be confused by the fact nearly everyone talks about routers for ADSLx, where they mean ADSLx routers, which are all-in-one boxes containing a modem, a router and a four-port switch.

It's the modem part that connects to the internet, and if you only have one computer needing access then the rest can be unnecessary.

In particular, 3G dongles are modems .

4G is (I think) available in the States, but will be a while before it gets here. I believe it is waiting for the analogue TV frequencies to become available to run it on.

I understand but will a router have a larger range and less drops than a dongle as it is larger and you can add an Antenna?

The routers in terms of 3G are useful as they provide the connectors for fitting better antennas too, and in a vehicle situation this can be important.

The router does NOT improve the signal it is the antenna it is connected to.

A 1 cm x 1cm router will be as good as one the size of a van. The antenna and quality of cable connecting the two are all important

FYI - You might find this recent blog entry from AAISP's RevK about 'IPv6 BMW'
http://revk.www.me.uk/2011/10/ipv6-bmw.html

In reply to a post by TheHappyDuck:

I understand but will a router have a larger range and less drops than a dongle as it is larger and you can add an Antenna?

You almost certainly want a "MiFi" type unit that isn't locked to a single network. Then you can put in a SIM card from the network with coverage where you are. Don't forget that many rural places don't have 3G on any network. North Scotland being one I have knowledge of. (2G on Vodafone is very comprehensive, but no 3G).

If you're near the motorways most networks will have 3G tho.

Depending on throughput I've seen 7meg download and 1.8meg upload on my new 3 HSPA+ MiFi unit - but most of the time its doing around 2meg download and 0.8meg upload.