Is there such a thing as satellite internet access from a laptop computer?

Hi,

In a couple weeks I am going overseas to a location where there is limited
internet access.

I am wondering if it is possible to access the internet with my laptop via
satellite link-up without using a dish of any sort. I am guessing there
might be something like a wifi pcmcia card with large external antenna that
you can disconnect and pack along with you. Is there anything like this on
the market?

-Jonathan Klein

> satellite link-up without using a dish of any sort. I am guessing there

I don't know if you'll find what you seek but by excluding a dish of any
sort that sort of rules out meeting the next criteria which is to use a
large external antenna. That's your dish!

> might be something like a wifi pcmcia card with large external antenna that
> you can disconnect and pack along with you. Is there anything like this on
> the market?

Pity that Iridium came crashing back down as I guess that might have
been a way.

I take it that the area isn't covered by GSM?

David.

see: http://www.iridium.com/application/

Greetz,

Derob


"Jonathan Klein" <(E-Mail Removed)> schreef in bericht
news:9iX2b.45223$(E-Mail Removed).. .
> Hi,
>
> In a couple weeks I am going overseas to a location where there is limited
> internet access.
>
> I am wondering if it is possible to access the internet with my laptop via
> satellite link-up without using a dish of any sort. I am guessing there
> might be something like a wifi pcmcia card with large external antenna
that
> you can disconnect and pack along with you. Is there anything like this on
> the market?
>
> -Jonathan Klein
>
>

"David Taylor" <(E-Mail Removed)> schreef in bericht
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > satellite link-up without using a dish of any sort. I am guessing there
>
> I don't know if you'll find what you seek but by excluding a dish of any
> sort that sort of rules out meeting the next criteria which is to use a
> large external antenna. That's your dish!
>

No, you don't need a dish....

> > might be something like a wifi pcmcia card with large external antenna
that
> > you can disconnect and pack along with you. Is there anything like this
on
> > the market?
>
> Pity that Iridium came crashing back down as I guess that might have
> been a way.

Huh?? It is still there!! OK, several years ago they went broke, and they
lost a SV or two, but everything was re-funded in time....

If you don't know what you are talking about, then don't answer...

Greetz,

Derob

> see: http://www.iridium.com/application/

I thought that iridium went into liquidation and allowed their
satellites to burn up?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/12806.html

Looks like since then it has come around.

David.

> Huh?? It is still there!! OK, several years ago they went broke, and they
> lost a SV or two, but everything was re-funded in time....
>
> If you don't know what you are talking about, then don't answer...

Fair comment, I wasn't aware that they had come back.

i would suggest the RB-GAN of inmarsat - gives decent internet
connectivity (upto 115kbps) - but check the footprint before you go in
for it.

"Jonathan Klein" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<9iX2b.45223$(E-Mail Removed)> ...
> Hi,
>
> In a couple weeks I am going overseas to a location where there is limited
> internet access.
>
> I am wondering if it is possible to access the internet with my laptop via
> satellite link-up without using a dish of any sort. I am guessing there
> might be something like a wifi pcmcia card with large external antenna that
> you can disconnect and pack along with you. Is there anything like this on
> the market?
>
> -Jonathan Klein

Jonathan Klein wrote:
> Hi,
>
> In a couple weeks I am going overseas to a location where there is
> limited internet access.
>
> I am wondering if it is possible to access the internet with my
> laptop via satellite link-up without using a dish of any sort. I am
> guessing there might be something like a wifi pcmcia card with large
> external antenna that you can disconnect and pack along with you. Is
> there anything like this on the market?
>
> -Jonathan Klein

Not sure about overseas, but some companies stateside let you simply use a
data kit for your cell phone and connect via that. Perhaps this option is
avail overseas. With the size of cell phones, that might be a viable
option.

ken k

> Not sure about overseas, but some companies stateside let you simply use a
> data kit for your cell phone and connect via that. Perhaps this option is
> avail overseas. With the size of cell phones, that might be a viable
> option.

Yes it is, bear in mind that GSM is *the* worldwide mobile solution,
that's the world excluding the US!

Many companies offer GPRS as well as GSM data.

David.