4G Wireless High Speed Internet

**mrjg** · 07-26-2011, 12:23 PM

Now that this has been available for a while, what's the consensus on reliability? I live in the country and if I'm on dialup much longer, I'm going to take a stroke from frustration. I've tried a few other high speed providers but none can service my location, but my neighbor has MTS Wireless Hi Speed and says that it works fine for them. I've researched prices and I'm a little confused: in previous threads, it's been said that there are no unlimited usage options, but on the MTS site it says that you can get unlimited 4G for $75 (65 if u have a valid MTS userid) Am I missing something?
Also, I'd be using this on my main computer and the MTS site said that my usage would be throttled during peak hours if I go over 10 gigs of data (assuming the $75 unlimited is a viable option); has this happened to anyone? I believe that it also said that VOIP is prohibited. I'm thinking that if i stay under 10gigs, I should be able to use VOIP if I want right? Any info would be appreciated....thanks in advance.

**Hans_Moleman** · 07-26-2011, 03:40 PM

Speed depends on where you live too. For the most part, it's fairly good enough to use as a home internet connection to replace dialup. It's much much faster than dialup even on the worst of days. Where my parents are located, the tower is only 10km away, so the data is quite consistent, and good enough for their needs - to stream a bit of video, post pictures online, send emails, that's about it.

The $65 one is if you already have MTS Highspeed internet, I don't know if dialup will allow for that $10 discount, but hey.. if you're going to get an internet stick, I don't see why you'd stick with dialup anyways?

I have friends who have used Skype (which is in a way, similar to VOIP) and they have no problems at all on MTS internet stick.

What do you plan on using the internet for? If it's just sending emails, a bit of watching video, and some browsing internet sites - you won't have to worry about throttling, but even at throttling speeds - it will still be FASTER than dialup.

**dxintel** · 07-26-2011, 07:37 PM

I have setup a couple of people with mobile internet sticks as they too only had access to dial up and did not want to invest in a wireless bridge shot from the next town. If it just general internet usage 10 gig is plenty. Now you would not want to use any video steaming services such as Netflix or be downloading/torrenting movies or music or even lots of YouTube. I know Skype works but I can't comment on true sip voip. Another option you could look at would be to subscribe to SaskTel as they offer an unlimited (well 10gig before throttling) plan and you can get it without phone/voice service for around $30-$40 they will roam of rogers or mts towers. They also sell a mifi instead of an USB stick. Mifi is a little box that host internet via wifi over a personal network for up to 5 computers . 4g is definitely better than satellite and for sure dial up. They don't really throttle unless your really taking advantage of the network or if it heavily congested. Hope this info helps.

Sent from my A500 using HowardForums

**mrjg** · 07-26-2011, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Hans_Moleman

Speed depends on where you live too. For the most part, it's fairly good enough to use as a home internet connection to replace dialup. It's much much faster than dialup even on the worst of days. Where my parents are located, the tower is only 10km away, so the data is quite consistent, and good enough for their needs - to stream a bit of video, post pictures online, send emails, that's about it.

The $65 one is if you already have MTS Highspeed internet, I don't know if dialup will allow for that $10 discount, but hey.. if you're going to get an internet stick, I don't see why you'd stick with dialup anyways?

I have friends who have used Skype (which is in a way, similar to VOIP) and they have no problems at all on MTS internet stick.

What do you plan on using the internet for? If it's just sending emails, a bit of watching video, and some browsing internet sites - you won't have to worry about throttling, but even at throttling speeds - it will still be FASTER than dialup.

Cool, thx for the info. We're also 10km away from the nearest MTS tower. I've been using my cell as my main phone(with a bluetooth) for a number of yrs so I'm pretty sure that we can get a decent signal here for internet. I'd basically be using it for what u mentioned: maybe a hr of surfing a day/some song downloads/some youtube/email/maybe skype or voip. Nothing like streaming movies or anything like that. The way i see it, we're paying 35 for landline plus 40 for dialup, so it'll basically be the same cost. just wondering if an MTS tech has to set anything up on roof or...?

**mrjg** · 07-26-2011, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by dxintel

I have setup a couple of people with mobile internet sticks as they too only had access to dial up and did not want to invest in a wireless bridge shot from the next town. If it just general internet usage 10 gig is plenty. Now you would not want to use any video steaming services such as Netflix or be downloading/torrenting movies or music or even lots of YouTube. I know Skype works but I can't comment on true sip voip. Another option you could look at would be to subscribe to SaskTel as they offer an unlimited (well 10gig before throttling) plan and you can get it without phone/voice service for around $30-$40 they will roam of rogers or mts towers. They also sell a mifi instead of an USB stick. Mifi is a little box that host internet via wifi over a personal network for up to 5 computers . 4g is definitely better than satellite and for sure dial up. They don't really throttle unless your really taking advantage of the network or if it heavily congested. Hope this info helps.

Sent from my A500 using HowardForums

Sasktel? Really? Do u know anyone who has done that? Seems weird to call Saskatchewan and say "hi I live in MB and would like to subscribe for your high speed wireless plan." And what about setup? Is it something that a somewhat technically challenged person can attempt? haha

**DummyBuy** · 07-27-2011, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by dxintel

I have setup a couple of people with mobile internet sticks as they too only had access to dial up and did not want to invest in a wireless bridge shot from the next town. If it just general internet usage 10 gig is plenty. Now you would not want to use any video steaming services such as Netflix or be downloading/torrenting movies or music or even lots of YouTube. I know Skype works but I can't comment on true sip voip. Another option you could look at would be to subscribe to SaskTel as they offer an unlimited (well 10gig before throttling) plan and you can get it without phone/voice service for around $30-$40 they will roam of rogers or mts towers. They also sell a mifi instead of an USB stick. Mifi is a little box that host internet via wifi over a personal network for up to 5 computers . 4g is definitely better than satellite and for sure dial up. They don't really throttle unless your really taking advantage of the network or if it heavily congested. Hope this info helps.

Sent from my A500 using HowardForums

I think most if not all the MTS Connect stores now sell the MOFI3500-3GN router also,

I have contact with many Sasktel and MTS users and I would say 70% of them have speeds over 3Mb/s and the few that has slower speeds are because of the single quality being too low.
If your signal is low, get a Wilson signal booster and your speeds can get well over 1Mb/s which is good for those that are depending on dial up or Satellite internet.

The MIFI is not a good choice since most of the customers I know want it for there how.

Netflix and others are working well.

Check your MTS or Sasktel store and ask for the MOFI3500-3GN router and an internet stick.

Sasktel just went live last week with the U547 so if you are getting that, get the MOFI3500-3GN version 2 which is now selling for all orders.

MTS is a bit expensive but they are still growing,

If you are thinking about it, my suggestions is to go for it as it is much better than you probably have now and you will not regret it,

**dxintel** · 07-27-2011, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by mrjg

Sasktel? Really? Do u know anyone who has done that? Seems weird to call Saskatchewan and say "hi I live in MB and would like to subscribe for your high speed wireless plan." And what about setup? Is it something that a somewhat technically challenged person can attempt? haha

I have SaskTel and MTS 4G sim and live in MB they just mail the bill and I pay online . If you are close to Saskatchewan you could just pick one up. As for installation if you got a USB stick you should be able to set it up your self its fairly easy. If you went with the 3gn router method it could get a little more technical but would likely be a more stable system. The price on SaskTel might not be as cheep as I mentioned as that is data for a phone not an internet stick.

Sent from my Nexus S using HowardForums

**mrjg** · 08-09-2011, 08:57 PM

Just got the high speed stick today on loan from an MTS dealer. Nada, zilch, nothing. I guess it means no signal, because it stays in search mode. I shouldn't be surprised: it sounded too good and too easy to be true. I have -85 to -90 dbm (3-4 bars) on my cdma cell phone but the stick won't even pick up a sniff of HSPA. It's a little hard to believe that the new network is actually worse in my area, but i guess that it's possible. I suppose the only thing that i can do now is look into a HSPA repeater of some sort: this could get pretty pricey.....

**dxintel** · 08-09-2011, 10:31 PM

Yes Hspa signal will not penetrate as good as cdma did. You could try a USB extension cable to get the internet stick up higher. You could look into a booster but yes they are a little pricy you could find one for around $200 if you look around. Wilson electronics makes some good ones.

Sent from my Nexus S using HowardForums

**prairielad** · 08-09-2011, 10:50 PM

mrjg that is a bummer .I'm using MTS HPSA as my primary internet with the Mofi 3500 and my net screams. Average is 4Mg down and 1Mb up but that depends on time. I;ve hit 12Mg down. I have hit the 10gig cap and got throttled during peak hours, i've also had a billing error where I was on the flex plan not the unlimited and got a $500+ bill(they fixed it up within 5mins though)

Is the sticking blinky green or purple or just blue when you try it? I'm also gonna guess you installed the Mobilink 3 software?

this website will also help you determine what cell towers are around you. http://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/cancellsites.html

**Sighter** · 08-10-2011, 09:53 AM

I suppose you can probably stream video and such if you don't mind getting throttled between 4pm and 12am. Then you can do all your heavy downloading at night when they turn off the throttle.
Unless you're torrenting and streaming every day you will probably have a hard time going over 10gb. You can actually watch a surprising amount of youtube with 10gb. Just make sure you leave it on 480p.

**DummyBuy** · 08-10-2011, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by mrjg

Just got the high speed stick today on loan from an MTS dealer. Nada, zilch, nothing. I guess it means no signal, because it stays in search mode. I shouldn't be surprised: it sounded too good and too easy to be true. I have -85 to -90 dbm (3-4 bars) on my cdma cell phone but the stick won't even pick up a sniff of HSPA. It's a little hard to believe that the new network is actually worse in my area, but i guess that it's possible. I suppose the only thing that i can do now is look into a HSPA repeater of some sort: this could get pretty pricey.....

If you have no HSPA signal but have 3-4 bars CDMA, then go with the unlimited CDMA plan (U760 stick),

CDMA is a bit slower but will sill give you over 1Mb/s which is good enough for most especially when you are coming from dial up.

Also pick up the MOFI3500-3GN router a which your MTS store should sell and find the best spot in the house that has the strongest signal and put the router and stick there.

I know many happy customers using the CDMA stick and 3 bars is pretty good.

Also, I think they still have the unlimited offer with this stick which is great.

If you really want HSPA, see if someone has a HSPA cell phone and see if how your signal is outside your house.
If you have 1 bar or less HSPA outside your house, forget about it and maybe in a year they will have full coverage by then.

If they happen to have 2 bars or more of HSPA, you can buy a Wilson signal amplifier that can improve your signal from 2 to 3-4 bars inside your house,

**Hans_Moleman** · 08-10-2011, 01:14 PM

@DummyBuy that is if there is EV-DO coverage in the community. If there's only 1X, then might as stick to dialup *sigh*

MTS never really did anything with EV-DO after 2006/2007

**mrjg** · 08-10-2011, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by prairielad

mrjg that is a bummer .I'm using MTS HPSA as my primary internet with the Mofi 3500 and my net screams. Average is 4Mg down and 1Mb up but that depends on time. I;ve hit 12Mg down. I have hit the 10gig cap and got throttled during peak hours, i've also had a billing error where I was on the flex plan not the unlimited and got a $500+ bill(they fixed it up within 5mins though)

Is the sticking blinky green or purple or just blue when you try it? I'm also gonna guess you installed the Mobilink 3 software?

this website will also help you determine what cell towers are around you. http://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/cancellsites.html

Prairieland, yes it's Mobilink and it blinks green and blue. this means searching for a signal i guess? It turned a rosy/purple type color for a moment once too; not sure what that meant....

**mrjg** · 08-10-2011, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by DummyBuy

If you have no HSPA signal but have 3-4 bars CDMA, then go with the unlimited CDMA plan (U760 stick),

CDMA is a bit slower but will sill give you over 1Mb/s which is good enough for most especially when you are coming from dial up.

Also pick up the MOFI3500-3GN router a which your MTS store should sell and find the best spot in the house that has the strongest signal and put the router and stick there.

I know many happy customers using the CDMA stick and 3 bars is pretty good.

Also, I think they still have the unlimited offer with this stick which is great.

If you really want HSPA, see if someone has a HSPA cell phone and see if how your signal is outside your house.
If you have 1 bar or less HSPA outside your house, forget about it and maybe in a year they will have full coverage by then.

If they happen to have 2 bars or more of HSPA, you can buy a Wilson signal amplifier that can improve your signal from 2 to 3-4 bars inside your house,

CDMA high speed eh? I'll look into that; not sure if MTS towers are EVDO outside Winnipeg. Anyone know? Also, the dealer rep said that I didn't need a router if I'm just using one computer in the same place; what benefit does getting router have in this situation?