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Cachuma Wi-fi
updated: Jan 30, 2013, 5:33 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

I wonder if any of your readers could help answer a question. I am moving to Lake Cachuma area for a couple of months and want to get wi-fi service there. Perhaps some of your readers could advise me on the best carrier for wi-fi service in that area.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

SHOREBIRD	2013-01-30 06:18 PM
Do you mean setting up your own wifi or patching into someone else's wifi for free?
COMMENT 369220	2013-01-30 06:29 PM
Not sure if Cox or Verizon is there but you could Google Satellite Internet and see what is available.
GEEZERSGIRL	2013-01-30 06:51 PM
I live next to the lake and your options are limited. I have Hughes.net. It is okay. Not super fast but better than dial up. My neighbor has a Verizon Mi-Fi hotspot. Verizon service is good out here. I know that AT&T is not, my kids have it and can never get a signal when they visit.
COMMENT 369231	2013-01-30 07:39 PM
Isn't Comcast the cable provider out there? If so do they also handle internet access?
JBYRD	2013-01-30 08:51 PM
Verizon works good, depending on where you are at the lake you can get 4G. I live in Solvang and camp up there regularly, my work unfortunately requires 24x7 availability and I've never had an issue connecting while in the lake areas. If your moving to a canyon next to the 'lake proper' area, all bets are off! :)
COMMENT 369248P	2013-01-30 08:54 PM
I stayed at a cabin on lake Cachuma a couple of days last week. My AT&T 4G iPhone allowed texting, emailing and surfing. I didn't make any phone calls.
COMMENT 369270	2013-01-31 06:11 AM
Do you mean Cellular data? Because WiFi and Cellular are two different things. I'm going to assume you mean Cellular. I have Verizon and stayed at Cachuma about a year ago for a few days giving a new RV a shakedown. I have a Verizon phone with HotSpot service and got a solid 3G signal in the campground area the whole time I was there. Verizon may have 4G service in the area now. They've been expanding 4G coverage in the valley in recent months. Just make sure you're aware of your service plan's limits on data transfer and make sure you don't go over. The poster is talking about being there for 2 months so it wouldn't make sense to sign up for a year+ contract for satellite data service. Also, unless things have changed, I'm pretty sure the satellite data systems require "permanent" installation and I doubt Cachuma would allow that in the camping areas. They'd need to go with a service like MotoSat which is pretty spendy for a couple months.
COMMENT 369276P	2013-01-31 06:31 AM
www.exede-isp.com 888-552-3581
COMMENT 369278	2013-01-31 06:48 AM
We use a verizon mifi that is mounted in our motor home. I installed a truckers cellular antenna on the roof and an amplifier, so it works in weak signal areas. These antenna/amp systems are mounted on homes too if the signal is weak.
COMMENT 369286	2013-01-31 07:07 AM
Rincon Broadband is worth a call. 8056841292. Great speeds, Great tech support.
DIRTYHARRY	2013-01-31 07:44 AM
Your basic choice is HughesNet. But if you're only staying for 2 months then you may need to do some further research.
BASENJI MOM	2013-01-31 08:09 AM
Contact Exede.com. I did and have a Wildblue internet service. I am very happy with it.
COMMENT 369335	2013-01-31 08:15 AM
A Verizon Wireless 4g Hotspot is your best bet. Sometimes this requires a 2 year contract to get the best price. Go see the guys at SB Auto Stereo+Wireless. Las Positas+State. 682-2505. Thats where i got mine. They know all about Verizon Wireless hotspots.
COMMENT 369345	2013-01-31 08:29 AM
second for Rincon Broadband. Rob is the owner and good dude.
COMMENT 369371	2013-01-31 09:48 AM
Folks, it's a 2-month situation. Satellite and Rincon are impractical. One requires a 24 month commitment and permanent installation, the other has a $350 setup fee. Most smartphones (iphone and android) can be used to connect a computer to the internet. Your cellular carrier can tell you how to do it and whether they have data service at Cachuma. (Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint all show service at Cachuma.)

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