BajaNomad

Baja and Wireless Broadband

DianaT - 7-30-2008 at 02:25 PM

Anyone use one of these for internet access in Baja----hopefully, in the Bahia Asuncion area?



The rep at Best Buy claims that if there is a cell phone tower it will work and at DSL speeds --- the International Plan that covers Canada, US, and Mexico.

The device is free right now if one signs up for a 2 year plan. I really don't like signing for two years for anything, but it looks interesting.

Thanks
Diane

danaeb - 7-30-2008 at 02:44 PM

Diane - I'm interested in one of these too, for El Centenario. What is the name of the plan?

Dana

DianaT - 7-30-2008 at 02:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by danaeb
Diane - I'm interested in one of these too, for El Centenario. What is the name of the plan?

Dana


The At&T plan for Canada, US, and Mexico is called The International Plan and it needs to be activated at Best Buy for the free device. It costs $119.00 a month and you need to sign up for 2 years.

That is why I really need to know if it will work and work well, because if it did buy it, I would cancel my Cox plan here in Imperial Beach and use this in both places.

Diane

Bob and Susan - 7-30-2008 at 03:40 PM

get direcway...sat internet for your baja place and take the modem back and forth

it works

comitan - 7-30-2008 at 03:41 PM

danaeb

We hopefully will have a wireless broadband system soon for $30.00 per month, they are taking signatures for people interested in the Centenario, Comitan, and some other areas. If you haven't signed up u2u me and I will get the info.

flyfishinPam - 7-30-2008 at 04:00 PM

right now none of the cell towers in baja, except for TJ has 3G technology. you'll be surfing the web on gprs slow like dial up but the upload is faster than ANYTHING i've ever experienced. also be very careful with your plan. when i signed up with telcel and used my phone as a modem they charged me an outrageous price, like $5K pesos but it took two months to sort out, so chech your plan carefully. this is informatioin that i'm keeping a close eye on because i want to upgrade to the 3G iPhone once the 3G technology makes it here.

DianaT - 7-30-2008 at 04:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by flyfishinPam
right now none of the cell towers in baja, except for TJ has 3G technology. you'll be surfing the web on gprs slow like dial up but the upload is faster than ANYTHING i've ever experienced. also be very careful with your plan. when i signed up with telcel and used my phone as a modem they charged me an outrageous price, like $5K pesos but it took two months to sort out, so chech your plan carefully. this is informatioin that i'm keeping a close eye on because i want to upgrade to the 3G iPhone once the 3G technology makes it here.


Thanks---that is interesting. I will talk to the Best Buy Rep about that---the 3G thing. He did state, I would hope correctly, that the fee was a flat fee with no more charges. It is strictly an At&T plan and according to him, has nothing to do with TelCel---they just use the signal.

Don't want to deal with all the satelite stuff. Getting a land line for a phone would be way too expensive right now and besides, we don't need a land line. The owner of the Internet Cafe could set us up with wireless, but because of where we are located it would be expensive---repeaters, etc. He wrote up a proposal for us.

This seemed like possibly a simple solution and may still be in the future---

There are some really nice things about having no Television and no Internet---something we always need to consider.

Thanks for the infomration

Diane

Bajaboy - 7-30-2008 at 04:29 PM

Wouldn't you still have to pay for roaming? You would be using the Telcel tower and I would assume you would thus be roaming.

Zac
Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Quote:
Originally posted by flyfishinPam
right now none of the cell towers in baja, except for TJ has 3G technology. you'll be surfing the web on gprs slow like dial up but the upload is faster than ANYTHING i've ever experienced. also be very careful with your plan. when i signed up with telcel and used my phone as a modem they charged me an outrageous price, like $5K pesos but it took two months to sort out, so chech your plan carefully. this is informatioin that i'm keeping a close eye on because i want to upgrade to the 3G iPhone once the 3G technology makes it here.


Thanks---that is interesting. I will talk to the Best Buy Rep about that---the 3G thing. He did state, I would hope correctly, that the fee was a flat fee with no more charges. It is strictly an At&T plan and according to him, has nothing to do with TelCel---they just use the signal.

Don't want to deal with all the satelite stuff. Getting a land line for a phone would be way too expensive right now and besides, we don't need a land line. The owner of the Internet Cafe could set us up with wireless, but because of where we are located it would be expensive---repeaters, etc. He wrote up a proposal for us.

This seemed like possibly a simple solution and may still be in the future---

There are some really nice things about having no Television and no Internet---something we always need to consider.

Thanks for the infomration

Diane

DianaT - 7-30-2008 at 04:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Wouldn't you still have to pay for roaming? You would be using the Telcel tower and I would assume you would thus be roaming.

Zac



Good question, the rep at Best Buy assured me there were no roaming charges---just the flat rate. I need to continue to research this.

Thanks
Diane

Bob and Susan - 7-30-2008 at 04:48 PM

diane...one you set the sat antenna
its easy to move the modem

it's nice not having to depend on others...
about $70 a month

i'm watching FTA tv right now
no fees
after the intial cost

Russ - 7-30-2008 at 05:06 PM

Bob and Susan, Everytime I try to watch on Driecway I go over the FAP allotment and I get slowed down to a snails pace for 24 hrs. What's your secret?

Diver - 7-30-2008 at 05:44 PM

Diane,

I still have a Hughs dish that might work for you.
They are about $65 per month after install and you can move the equipment.

bajalou - 7-30-2008 at 06:39 PM

In san Felipe we have Telnor, a subsidiary of TelMex. I have their fixed wireless telephone and DSL internet (128K service) for 310 pesos a month. - It's somewhat faster than satellite.

Read fine print before signing

Lee - 7-30-2008 at 07:04 PM

If you can't find anyone with service in Bahia, ask about the ''cancellation'' policy if you are NOT satisfied. Ask to see the ''fine print'' where it spells out you have 30-60-90 days to break the contract. Otherwise, don't sign.

bajabound2005 - 7-30-2008 at 08:00 PM

Don't count on the rep at Best Buy, call AT&T directly or stop in one of their stores when you are stateside. Assuming the BB guy is right on the plan, the 3G technology is definitely a SNAFU. 3G has just come to Ensenada, have a hard time believing it would be available in Bahia Ascuncion yet.

Our Telnor DSL connection is quite a bit faster that satellite internet (we had Starband until DSL made it into our 'hood). Now we can use webcabs and Vonage, which we could not do with satellite.

Pescador - 7-30-2008 at 08:05 PM

russ, he is watching FTA on a seperate dish from his Hughes net dish. I have the same set up.

Diane, Bob is talking about Hughes Net which is the old Direcway sytem. I have a dish in Mexico and a dish at home in Colorado and all I have to do is bring the modem back and forth. I also have VOIP which allows me to make phone calls for $.02 a minute. Right now they have a special for initial hookup and Los Frailes in San Lucas is a certified installer.
www.direcway.com

DianaT - 7-30-2008 at 08:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
Don't count on the rep at Best Buy, call AT&T directly or stop in one of their stores when you are stateside. Assuming the BB guy is right on the plan, the 3G technology is definitely a SNAFU. 3G has just come to Ensenada, have a hard time believing it would be available in Bahia Ascuncion yet.

Our Telnor DSL connection is quite a bit faster that satellite internet (we had Starband until DSL made it into our 'hood). Now we can use webcabs and Vonage, which we could not do with satellite.


I will definitely do a lot more checking before doing anything. Since our cell tower in Bahia Asuncion is quite new, I wonder if maybe, just maybe we have the 3G technology. Cell tower has not been there long and the high speed DSL in town is less than a year old.

Maybe it is wishful thinking on my part. I just love the idea of a simple little box with a usb plug that can go anywhere. :yes::yes:

Next time down, I will check with the Internet Cafe Owner who knows what is happening.

Meanwhile, I sure am not going to sign a two year contract without better answers.

Thanks for all the input. We really considered the Hughes, but decided against going that way.

Diane

Hook - 7-30-2008 at 08:52 PM

Can broadband and Direcway really be used in the same sentence? Not from what I've read. What is REALLY and HONESTLY the fastest connection you can expect? And I dont mean at 3am, EST.

DianaT - 7-30-2008 at 08:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Can broadband and Direcway really be used in the same sentence? Not from what I've read. What is REALLY and HONESTLY the fastest connection you can expect? And I dont mean at 3am, EST.


You are correct. I was answering those who suggested we try Directway (Hughes) --- but it sounds confusing the way I put it. Not interested.

We might be interested, however, in the broadband if it is realistic, possible, and won't put us in the poor house.

Diane

Riom - 7-30-2008 at 11:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
The At&T plan for Canada, US, and Mexico is called The International Plan and it needs to be activated at Best Buy for the free device. It costs $119.00 a month and you need to sign up for 2 years.


Maybe it's the "DataConnect North America $109.99 per month." at
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/affo...

This is NOT unlimited outside the US - gives you just 100MB of data for that $100+, then charges overages at $5/MB (more than Telcel or Movistar!). So a couple of hundred MB/day (not hard with video) could run up thousands of dollars in a week...

I've been looking into ways to get unlimited (or cheap per MB) data in Mexico and there isn't really anything very practical, especially for part-time use. But roaming with a foreign carrier like AT&T is almost always going to end up the most expensive.

Both Telcel and Movistar have "unlimited" data plans with their voice plans for about $65-90/month. Telcel have "Banda Acha Telcel" in 3G areas that doesn't seem to need a contract for $65/month (but high equipment costs). By unlimited they mean 3GB/mo then they drop your speed down.

For the odd bit of email use, Movistar costs can be got down to $1/MB (their pay-per day deal) , and Telcel works out at $2.22/MB if you use the largest recharge card with bonuses. Way too pricey for web browsing.

If an AT&T "International Plan" with unlimited data in Mexico really exists I'd love to see details, but it seems unlikely.

(Hopefully I'll get the Telnor fixed wireless installed and working soon (San Felipe) so I don't need to look at these alternatives , but that might take a few months longer given the total lack of progress after I ordered it a month ago - I've been chasing it weekly but it appears to be unavailable to new customers at present).

[Edited on 2008-7-31 by Riom]

MexicoGringoGuy - 7-31-2008 at 02:05 AM

I can only add in BAM which is the little usb card for IusaCell..

off subject.. BUT I found out somethihng interesting about getting free data on a smart phone! Do a google on Boostberry. It's using a boost mobile chip in a Blackberry for nextel. Apparently oif you add a 3rd party browser, you can surf the web free and unlimited... something about the type of connection bost gives all thier customers tcp/ip or something... BUY anyway, I have bought 3 Blackberry's off enay and they are on thier way.. One i WILL turn into a Boostberry (boost) and the other I will put on Telcel... (I know , went overboard) But I got good deals, and this data stuff sounds great.. and I have read alot about it!

DianaT - 7-31-2008 at 09:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Riom
Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
The At&T plan for Canada, US, and Mexico is called The International Plan and it needs to be activated at Best Buy for the free device. It costs $119.00 a month and you need to sign up for 2 years.


Maybe it's the "DataConnect North America $109.99 per month." at
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/affo...

This is NOT unlimited outside the US - gives you just 100MB of data for that $100+, then charges overages at $5/MB (more than Telcel or Movistar!). So a couple of hundred MB/day (not hard with video) could run up thousands of dollars in a week...

I've been looking into ways to get unlimited (or cheap per MB) data in Mexico and there isn't really anything very practical, especially for part-time use. But roaming with a foreign carrier like AT&T is almost always going to end up the most expensive.

Both Telcel and Movistar have "unlimited" data plans with their voice plans for about $65-90/month. Telcel have "Banda Acha Telcel" in 3G areas that doesn't seem to need a contract for $65/month (but high equipment costs). By unlimited they mean 3GB/mo then they drop your speed down.

For the odd bit of email use, Movistar costs can be got down to $1/MB (their pay-per day deal) , and Telcel works out at $2.22/MB if you use the largest recharge card with bonuses. Way too pricey for web browsing.

If an AT&T "International Plan" with unlimited data in Mexico really exists I'd love to see details, but it seems unlikely.

(Hopefully I'll get the Telnor fixed wireless installed and working soon (San Felipe) so I don't need to look at these alternatives , but that might take a few months longer given the total lack of progress after I ordered it a month ago - I've been chasing it weekly but it appears to be unavailable to new customers at present).

[Edited on 2008-7-31 by Riom]


Thanks----believe me, this is why I would not allow my arm to be twisted into signing a two year contract---have learned a lot here and will continue to check it out.

When we were at Best Buy, it sounded a little too much like the old saying, If it sounds too good to be true----well, you know the rest. :yes:

Diane

[Edited on 7-31-2008 by jdtrotter]

Bajajorge - 8-1-2008 at 09:47 AM

I have Hughesnet in my US home. Do a couple of mega downloads and they cut my power for 24 hours. Hughsnet also does not support Skype. Don't know about the ATT gadget you're talking about, but heard some turista with some kind of ATT device sent some pictures on the ATT hookup from Mexico and got home to find a $400 bill from ATT.:?:

bajamigo - 8-1-2008 at 09:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
In san Felipe we have Telnor, a subsidiary of TelMex. I have their fixed wireless telephone and DSL internet (128K service) for 310 pesos a month. - It's somewhat faster than satellite.


That seems odd. We have Telnor (DSL) in the Ensenada area. It's 1 meg service, and the cost is 260 pesos/month. Wonder why there's such a marked difference.

MexicoGringoGuy - 8-1-2008 at 10:06 AM

Here is the link for BAM...

http://www.iusacell.com.mx/BAM/

Riom - 8-1-2008 at 10:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajamigo
That seems odd. We have Telnor (DSL) in the Ensenada area. It's 1 meg service, and the cost is 260 pesos/month. Wonder why there's such a marked difference.


That's a wired service - the '"fixed wireless" phones on the north side of San Felipe (El Dorado) use an antenna mounted on the house connected by radio back to a tower - which is why capacity/speed is limited. The price does include the phone rental as well.

Riom - 8-1-2008 at 10:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MexicoGringoGuy
Here is the link for BAM...

http://www.iusacell.com.mx/BAM/


Looks like another possibility for those in their coverage areas ($65/month on plans, not clear how prepaid is charged - $50 for 15 days?). But compared to the other companies Iusacell has much less coverage. (at least, it doesn't cover where I live!).

Iflyfish - 8-1-2008 at 04:25 PM

I was told at an AT&T store that if I used the device in Baja that I would have to pay roaming charges on top of fees.

Iflyfish

DianaT - 8-1-2008 at 04:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Iflyfish
I was told at an AT&T store that if I used the device in Baja that I would have to pay roaming charges on top of fees.

Iflyfish


I suspected that and was headed to the AT&T store tomorrow.

Dang, looked too good.

Thanks
Diane

CaboMagic - 8-1-2008 at 05:14 PM

Diane - 'it IS too good to be true' !!!! there would be huge roaming fees. We have ATT wifi cards $59 per month/card unlimited USA only - ATT currently only offers in the USA. After a trip to SDiego last year, we got a $1200 bill .. of course we worked with AT&T on this but from what I could understand our signal got to a tower SOB and someone got to jump on. I dont have an alternative to offer sorry, but I hope this helps some. Lori

DianaT - 8-2-2008 at 09:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboMagic
Diane - 'it IS too good to be true' !!!! there would be huge roaming fees. We have ATT wifi cards $59 per month/card unlimited USA only - ATT currently only offers in the USA. After a trip to SDiego last year, we got a $1200 bill .. of course we worked with AT&T on this but from what I could understand our signal got to a tower SOB and someone got to jump on. I dont have an alternative to offer sorry, but I hope this helps some. Lori


Since our other home is close to the border in Imperial Beach, that could be a real problem! :yes:

Thanks
Diane

wornout - 8-2-2008 at 07:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Riom
Quote:
Originally posted by bajamigo
That seems odd. We have Telnor (DSL) in the Ensenada area. It's 1 meg service, and the cost is 260 pesos/month. Wonder why there's such a marked difference.


That's a wired service - the '"fixed wireless" phones on the north side of San Felipe (El Dorado) use an antenna mounted on the house connected by radio back to a tower - which is why capacity/speed is limited. The price does include the phone rental as well.


And the phone is mandatory because that is the only way they have to bill you. It is not great service but for being on a solar system in the desert, it works just fine. The internet part is about $13 a month and the phone is around $15 and of course there are taxes added to that.

wornout, can you get that service in San Quintin?

Keri - 8-2-2008 at 07:07 PM

Sounds like something I might be interested in, Please tell me more about it,k

wornout - 8-2-2008 at 07:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Keri
Sounds like something I might be interested in, Please tell me more about it,k


Probably not. Ours is a Telnor system. We had to put up money to have the tower installed and all the equipment that goes along with it. Then they refunded the money once it was built and said they would pay for it with fees for long distance calls. It has been in a couple of years.

I am sure there are enough cell towers and wired service available that would not make this cost effective. El Dorado Ranch is a big development and there aren't any phone lines strung, so this was a no brainer.

CaboRon - 8-3-2008 at 08:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Iflyfish
I was told at an AT&T store that if I used the device in Baja that I would have to pay roaming charges on top of fees.

Iflyfish


You have got to take care of Slim and his family ....

CaboRon