Internet Service While Living Off The Grid

November 27th, 2009 by mdcreekmore in Survival Homestead

Yesterday, I received a comment from a reader. I’m not going to quote the whole thing here – basically the writer said there was no way I could have Internet service and live off grid.

While, I get asinine comments practically every day, this one stood out as being dumber than most. Where has this guy been? I mean, how can he be on the Internet, yet so far removed from technology in this area?

With satellite and wireless Internet it’s possible to have service in even the most remote areas. Anyone choosing to live off grid can still enjoy efficient communications via the Internet with wireless and satellite hookups.

There is no need to be restricted by telephone lines.

My Internet hook up consists of a notebook computer powered by 12-volt batteries and 400 watt inverter. Internet service is provided by Verizon wireless and works off their cell towers.

They provide a modem which plugs into the USB port – all you need to do is turn on the computer, plug in the modem and you’re online. The downside to this set-up is that you need be within range to receive a single. Can you hear me now?

From where my trailer is located, I can’t get a reliable signal from the tower, located about 2 miles away and blocked by the mountain behind my place. So I either have to climb to the top or drive out the road to get a signal.

This is a pain in the butt. I tried using a antenna to catch the signal but it didn’t work, perhaps a more expansive brand or model would? I’m no expert here – if you have suggestions please let me know.

When my contract with Verizon is completed, I plan to get a satellite hookup. It would be nice to check my e-mail and do other tasks that require an internet connection without venturing outside.

So yes, it’s not only possible, but simple to have an Internet connection while living off grid.

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Anonymous
December 25th, 2009 at 5:32 PM

Well, living off the grid, doesn't that mean being untraceable rather then completely disconnected? In that case you quite definetely live ON THE GRID, since you have contract with your ISP, that means the data you send over the air can be matched with name, that means traceable, that means on the grid.

However, this could definetely be obfuscated by using various types of encryption, TOR, Uruguay anaonymous proxies etc.

Still my comment stands, you live on the grid, you pay a bill for something. Or does the "have contract w/ Verizon" mean one of the pre-paid sim cards for internet connection?

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ethan1066
January 19th, 2010 at 8:23 AM

i had poor internet air card service. The Wilson amplifier seemed to speed up internet access. We also use in in our Jeep and motorhome to improve reception while traveling.

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Anonymous
February 8th, 2010 at 5:57 PM

I would go with a two way satellite internet connection. http://www.offthegridbroadband.com

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Anonymous
February 17th, 2010 at 5:32 PM

http://www.offthegridbroadband.com for security

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ConnerPlainLiving
February 26th, 2010 at 11:18 PM

Whatever you do, don't deal with Wildblue Satelite service. Just Google Wildblue sucks.

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Dave
June 9th, 2010 at 7:26 PM

I know I’m probably dreaming, but has anyone found a way to boost Verizon phone signal in a river canyon (off the grid) in any way that would provide communication with my Blackberry Curve2 ? I have a cabin 1000 feet below the highway. While with Nextel, I’d get a signal up on the highway, but not with Verizon. With Verizon, we’re apparently in a dead zone in the Sierra foothills. I do get a signal within a few miles down the highway.

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Shannon Thrasher
July 5th, 2010 at 10:01 AM

I can’t find much information about this anywhere either.

Im often working in remote locations that are void of cell reception. Besides sat phones, what cell technology gives me the best chances of contacting a network to make phone calls? I’m especially concerned about emergency services, but would also like to know about standard calling.

I’ve heard push-to-talk has excellent “off the grid” capabilities, but can I only contact people within a certain range, or does push-to-talk from remote areas give me access to my contacts anywhere on the network? What is the range for push-to-talk off the standard grid?

I’ve done some googling and checked Nextel’s site, but couldn’t find any definitive answers.

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