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http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/sect...osted.html
looks like spacenet would like our help in getting them funded by the feds.
in the meantime it could be a good deal for those needing a subsidy - too bad spacenet is not a hawaii based company - more dollars leaving the island - even if they are federal dollars
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When I read this on the front page, I was a little ticked it didn't even mention aloha broadband. Course no subsidy there, but still, it should have mentioned other alternatives to DSL and cable.
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This would only apply to areas that have no high speed at all.If you can get Aloha Broadband you cannot meet the requirements for this plan.
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Aloha Broadband received a federal broadband stimulus loan in 2009.
http://aaronstene.com/2009/12/20/4709/
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Hey Gang, I'm getting ready to make the move to Fern Forest. I've ask this before awhile ago but it's time to choose. Any suggestions on internet? I'll be off grid. Anyone using Verizon, Hughes or ? Much thanks.
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Aloha, I have been in the fern forest since April 2011 and have been mostly happy with starband.net as my ISP. Tropical Satellite 808-968-8874 is the local company who installs the satellite. If you qualify (qualification is based on your FF location) your satellite will be installed per gov't stimulus for FREE. My monthly bill is 49.99. Happy surfing.
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We are off grid also and recently went from Verizon's 3G Mifi (wifi hotspot box) to their 4G Mifi and the difference is very noticeable. The 3G box was subject to many stalls and typically was around 0.6 Mbps. While Verizon's literature and sales person said 5-11 Mbps (and I've seen higher claims in researching comments about the various 4G boxes), we regularly barely break 5 Mbps and often less. This morning's test came in at 4.84/1.25 Mbps. The contract also comes with a 5 Gb data cap and unfortunately we are running into it rapidly. We do a fair amount of news watching and research on the net. However we don't look at movies at all and only occasionally at the Flash videos accompanying many articles these days. So what's up? Only conjectures, but it's clear that we do more connecting more easily and download more whole pages now rather than stopping loading during slow times or stall periods with the 3G. And what we're downloading now are the bloated pages, full of ads and images, that seem typical these days. Finally, there's a gotcha with the wifi hotspot box, which serves our two computers. Obviously we're more or less doubling our download, but the 5 Gb cap applies to the box. The overage is $10 per extra Gb with a 10 Gb plan available for $80 per month. The cost per month is $50. Since two separate modem boxes for each computer would run $100 per month, we're probably better off with the Mifi.
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I'm ok with mi mifi but have older version. It does stall, however, on streaming youtube vids, but that just gives me more time to live in the real world. I say go verizon mifi if you get good cell reception, since, basically, it's a cell phone without a phone.
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An update on Verizon 4G LTE. After experiencing some problems with connections, Mifi box intermittently stuck flipping between 3G and 4G, we received a new SIM card from Verizon. After one more phone call to get it activated we are now mostly connecting at 8-9 Mbps. Very nice. Also have to say that the Verizon tech support has been quick to answer and very personable and helpful so we're good here (except for the 5 Gb cap, of course).
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Aloha Pete, Are you really getting 8-9 Mbps? I've got Oceanic and speed test @ 8.5-9.5Mbps. If your right, thats awesome (not that I'm doubting you). We're about to move to Fern Forest, where are you and do you use any type of antenna?
