1. How is satellite internet access these days? Anyone use it? Price? Other options?
I had
Starband several years ago. They're now focused on business users with a pricing plan geared toward that crowd (~$70/mo). My sister uses
Wild Blue and is satisfied (~$50/mo).
Depending on your usage pattern, this may be quite acceptable. If your primary use of the 'net is email and surfing, you'll be content. If you need VPN, gaming or routine large downloads, you could be rather disappointed due to high latency. (Simple physics, really: (Speed of light / (distance to geo-sync satellite * 2) + terrestrial latency) >= 500 milliseconds per request.) This latency makes real-time activity of any kind practically impossible and wreaks havoc with maintaining VPN connections (at least any I've tried or heard of).
timwinters said:
2. Is there any kind of "receiver/repeater antenna" made for cell phones? Maybe something you put on a tower?
The short answer is yes, but depending on your location, it could be a very expensive proposition to install and maintain. Terrestrial wireless units (essentially 802.11) are also available and can transmit a surprising distance if properly aligned. These may be less expensive than cell repeaters.
Both of these options will require an internet connection of some sort on one end with you at the other. It
may be cost-competitive to have a partial or full T1 installed directly to the premises. I admit this is a bit of a stretch and there are distance limitations here. On the other hand, if you're within range of the phone company's central office and there are neighbors within range of the wireless units I mentioned above, you may be able to share its cost with them.
Until WiMAX/3G/other coverage is nearly ubiquitous, folks out in the sticks are going to find fast 'net access to be problematic and/or expensive.
