We use Bell for internet and purchased their router, which is good for about 600 feet and up to 10 devices.

Well, this is interesting...Most posting thus far seem to be using cell service of some kind. I can see the satellite shortfalls but if it worked, it sure would be more convenient. Satellite and TV services in one source.

So, since cell service seems to be the "preferred" method, are you using any special devices plugged in to your computer or tablets to "connect"? Are you using any "extenders" to reach out and do they work. If so, what kind? And finally, do you have issues with frequent dead spots.

Thanks everyone for all of the discussion.

Not sure if the service you are looking at is different but TV and internet services via sat generally require different equipment and subscriptions. Our sat TV service used different sats compared to Hughes, there was an attachment mounted on the side of the sat dish (called "bird on a wire") that allowed the LNB mounted on that attachment to get the TV signals using the same dish as the internet services, you aim the dish for the internet sat and the TV signals come in from the other sat and then go to the sat TV receiver.

It's something to ask about with the provider you are considering.

Well, this is interesting...Most posting thus far seem to be using cell service of some kind. I can see the satellite shortfalls but if it worked, it sure would be more convenient. Satellite and TV services in one source.

So, since cell service seems to be the "preferred" method, are you using any special devices plugged in to your computer or tablets to "connect"? Are you using any "extenders" to reach out and do they work. If so, what kind? And finally, do you have issues with frequent dead spots.

Thanks everyone for all of the discussion.

For TV, we have a roof mounted RoadTrip MiniMax satellite dish and a Dish 211Z receiver that is set up on our home Dish account. We get the same programming across the entire U.S. as we get at home. That has worked well for us so long as we have a clear line of site to the southern skies. The RoadTrip MiniMax is automatic on setup........takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

For internet, we use a Verizon Jetpack. That has worked well from Washington State to Florida. We also use it as our router.......the I-pad, laptop and printer all connect and talk to each other through the Jetpack.

Verizon Mifi (Jetpack) for us. Has worked great everywhere except Southern Utah, but if you look at Verizon's US coverage, that's the only area they are weak. Far better than Sprint and more reliable than AT&T for us.

Is the DishNet truly a satellite internet like Hughes? I always thought they just teamed up with a DSL provider.

We used the Jetpack for several years and it worked great. As our new Verizon phones have essentially the same capability we retired the Jetpack and use one or both of the phones as a "Jetpack" via the hotspot features. The hotspot also serves as a router connecting tablets, laptops and printers working inside and outside of our RW. Incoming calls function with the hotspot so saving the cost of a separate line/number is nice.

We used the Jetpack for several years and it worked great. As our new Verizon phones have essentially the same capability we retired the Jetpack and use one or both of the phones as a "Jetpack" via the hotspot features. The hotspot also serves as a router connecting tablets, laptops and printers working inside and outside of our RW. Incoming calls function with the hotspot so saving the cost of a separate line/number is nice.

Robert.........you bring up an interesting point about using the internet connection capability of the smartphones. Even though I am a retired electrical engineer, I like to keep things simple, so, I still use a Motorola flip phone. But, my wife has an android smartphone with internet connection capability. I suppose we could save a little money on the monthly cost of the Jetpack by using her phone to connect.

Do you know if the data rates are the same comparing the phone or Jetpack? Both devices are Verizon. I need to do some research!!

Guy

Ditto on being a retired EE. The data rates (download/upload speeds)are the same or better on our two Verizon Android phones verses the Jetpack . The range around our RW seems to be equal or greater than the Jetpack. Since DW and I both need phones when traveling the second phone was a given. The Jetpack was a third "phone" number however could not be used as a phone as our two Verizon phones. Having two phones with hotspots also is nice in case there is a hotspot failure or a WiFi failure at home. As you could be contemplating, we retired the Jetpack when we retired our flip phones. The Androids are so good I use my laptop and tablet less and less. The desktop at home is an exception. I have a Verizon Sony Experia and DW has a Samsung Galaxy 5 (not the model with the battery issue). They are pricy to purchase however have been trouble-free. Both phones were equipped with durable covers for physical protection. Now that we have been using the two Androids I can't imagine how we got along with our flip phones (and a Blackberry with those small keys) which I thought at the time were so great! Technology is a moving target and can be pricy. At home we have AT&T fiber based uVerse for internet and mail. I installed a Netgear AC 1900 Nighthawk WiFi range extender to increase the WiFi range throughout our three story home. WiFi on the first floor for working with my programmable model airplanes and the upper floors with WiFi printers, desktops and other connectables. We have DirecTV at home and our RW. I installed the DirectTV Wingard SWM 3 auto seeking satellite dish and system on the RW and use the DirecTV SWM 3 server and mini-servers from home at the RW. DirecTV provided us with additional remotes and server power supplies free so we only need to pack the three server boxes when RV'ing. The only goodie remaining to be considered for us is a cell phone signal booster if we should hit the road for an extended vacation. Top rated ones are pricey ($600 or so and are cell phone technology based - 3G/4LTE, etc.) however when a one bar signal is being received data flow really slows down especially for those websites that push ads while one is just trying to read their mail or the news. With the satellite dish, OTA antenna, CB antenna then a cell phone booster Yagi antenna our RW could be mistaken for a black op operation!! Verizon coverage has been so good that I hope to dodge the signal booster stuff.