Trouble getting fast internet in rural location - cell hotspot?

Question

I'm buying a house in rural PA for an STR. The best satelite package I can find is only 25 mbps, and my house will often has 10-14 people in it. I know this is going to make or break my review section - what is the best way, no expense spared, to make sure my guests can have great internet? Cellular service is pretty garbage - I'm looking into high powered, $1000 cell boosters (house is 4200 sqft), and figure, isn't most cellular service better than 25 mbps? Couldn't I get a high powered booster, then buy a hotspot, buy an unlimited $70/month plan for the hotspot, and perhaps get a wifi-extender if the hotspot isn't big enough to cover the house?

The only other option is verizon, which literally gives me 8. 8 mbps. Thats BITS not BYTES.

Thanks!

The only other option is verizon, which literally gives me 8. 8 mbps. Thats BITS not BYTES.

Thanks!

Ken Boone · Answer

Yea that is the downside to being rural.

Chase Hoover · Answer

We launched 4 river cabins earlier this year that are way back in the mountains.  We went with HughesNet giving us 25mbps with a router extending to all 4 cabins (they're pretty close together).  My wife and I lived there for a couple of months as we were renovating the cabins and it worked fine for us running our management business, though it was definitely slower than what we're used to and streaming tv/videos was not possible.

Since we launched, I'd say 75% of the reviews or private feedback we've gotten from guests on Airbnb have mentioned the wifi being very slow, although we make it as clear as possible in the listing, check-in instructions, and house binders that the wifi is only useful for checking email and light browsing and we encourage guests to unplug and enjoy their time in nature.  Unfortunately, that is just not the reality these days and if it's not on Insta, it didn't happen.  The families with young kids actually love it because it keeps the kids off the screens, but the younger couples on a "getaway" always say something.

We're letting it ride for now but may look into a T-Mobile hotspot as they just added a new tower nearby.  The HughesNet installer recommended maybe getting a second satellite dish and service to add more bandwidth, but I'm not really interested in getting deeper with HughesNet if I can find another solution.

Ken Boone · Answer

@Austin Sheehan

My buddy is on the list to beta test that network.  What is unique about his sat network is that they are in a much lower orbit than the other guys.  The other guys require 1/2 second for data to go up and 1/2 second to come down.  His will be a fraction of that based on the low orbit of his sats.  I am hoping his sat network lives up to its promises.  If so it will provide a really good rural solution that blows the other guys away.

Ken Boone · Answer

@Chase Hoover Thanks for the clarification.  Yea I was curious about that.

Chase Hoover · Answer

@Ken Boone I'll clarify, all of our reviews so far (60+) have been mostly 5 stars, so it hasn't really affected the quality of the listing at all.  It's mostly just people feeling like they need to comment on it.  Which actually isn't a bad thing for us, because if people are reading our reviews prior to booking they will know that the wifi won't be great (even though it is clearly stated in the listing).  We've had near 100% occupancy since we launched as well, so it doesn't seem to be scaring people away either.  We'll see how it goes once COVID calms down.  We have had a handful of repeat guests already, and tons more saying they're planning to make it a yearly trip.

Ken Boone · Answer

@Chase Hoover Chase thanks for sharing that info.  I have always wondered how that would work out at review time.  I know there are others who say the lack of internet works great for them if you state it clearly, but your example clearly shows that for most people it is just about a requirement now for high speed internet.  I would guess that a percentage of those that complained about the internet being too slow would most likely not be return guests.  Can you comment on that aspect of it?

Scott K. · Answer

Hmm it looks like it just taps into whatever cell network is nearby. Honestly I don't think there are any good cell networks where I'm buying! Really middle of the woods unfortunately.

But perhaps I could use it to identify which is the strongest, then buy a booster? I'll definitely check it out thanks!

Codie Fisher · Answer

@Scott Kunz

I have heard really good things about Skyroam from a friend and I just ordered one. I can let you know once I try it out 👍🏻

Scott K. · Answer

Oh cool I'll sign up for that, hopefully helps out in a year or so.

Austin Sheehan · Answer

@Scott Kunz

Elon musk is going to start star link beta soon so eventually That could help you out. I don’t know much about it but you should look into it.

Trouble getting fast internet in rural location - cell hotspot?

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