Mobi internet

[Dinamight]

I wonder if anyone has any recent experience using Mobi PCS for internet connection in lower HPP?

We only have dial up here so we hope a faster/better solution is soon available.

Thanks!

[tgalarneau]

The Mobi dealer at Malama Market lets you test their internet dongle before you need to buy one. They require a refundable deposit. I tested it for my area but alas it didn't have a good enough signal. It is the best deal for internet available but you do need to test your signal first.

[tptplyr1]

It did not work very well on 30th off of Makuu. I use it in Hilo and Kona all the time and it's okay, but not great. The Mobi dealer in the Plaza gives you 7 days before they charge your credit card so if you return it within that time you don't have to worry about a charge/credit situation.

dean

[rbakker]

Thanks for the tip. I just tried the Mobi dealer at Malama Market in Pahoa (Paradise Business Center I believe it's called) and they have a special USB-dongle which they lend for 24 hours in exchange for $100 cash (refundable) and a copy of your ID and a phone number.

Unfortunately it didn't work for me (lower HPP, near Makuu), the signal was only one bar, which is a pity as they're only $29 a month (after you pay $99 for the device and $35 activation fee) and most importantly no contract. Looks like I'll have to try Verizon, at a hefty $60 a month and minimum a year contract. If anyone knows a better option, please say so. We can't get DSL or cable here. We can get AWS but they charge $500 just to get started.

But, anyone else thinking of getting mobile internet, call Paradise Business Center at 965-1111 to see if the loan dongle is available.

[MarkP]

A friend of mine has this service. He got marginal performance in Eden Roc until he got a special plug in antenna that he put on his roof. It was usable after that.

[force]

I switched to this a few weeks back. I get anywhere from 0-2 bars towards the front of fern acres. It's usable for basic surfing and chat room type stuff. Also downloaded a 1gb game demo in less than a day. Considering I was paying 110 a month for faster, but equally unreliable net, I find this to be a suitable replacement. Hibiscus street in fern acres really needs cable. And fast.

[heather]

We are on Pikake in Fern Acres and it barely worked for us. Limited to what we could already do on Blackberries.It just worked much slower. We were able to get a full refund because we returned it within 7 days. We sure would love cable fast too!

[Hawaii Photo Guy]

I have been paying the hefty 60 a month fee with AT&T for several years.
I am a bit brutal with my computer care and found that you have to be very careful with the USB Dongle cause they dont last long if you dont treat them gently. Remove them nicely and make sure you dont bang it on anything that may mess up the dongle.
I am using the dialup through phone method and it works in the back of Eden Roc. I bought a "short" USB dongle at Office Max and havent managed to kill it yet.
Id love to pay less but am seriously afraid I will end up buying 99 dollar dongles every few months.

Please be kind.

[rbakker]

Thanks for the advice about the dongle. I got one from Verizon today and they told me it's $350 if I break it! I can also take out insurance at $6 a month and then they'll only charge me $50. How nice of them. But maybe I will after hearing your story.

I just got it for a trial to see if it works in my location. Unlike mobi (5 mins) this took over an hour and they took a $400 deposit and they made me sign up for a 2-year contract. But luckily I get it all back if I cancel within 30 days.

[force]

Good luck with verizon. Their coverage outside of the major populated areas here is pretty poor. At&ts net is the same bandwidth cap and price as verizon, and their coverage here is much better. Might want to give them a shot if verizon doesn't work out.