If decent (3G) cell phone technology isn't available, you may want to consider satellite, but keep these things in mind about data communications in general:
- Two things define a data connections performance (well, more than two, but these two matter): Bandwidth (everyone talks about this) and Latency (very few discuss this). Bandwidth is the diameter of the pipe or the number of lanes on the freeway. Latency is how long it takes for water to get from one end of the pipe to the other or how long it takes to get from one end of the freeway to the other.
So, you could have a high Bandwidth connection (10 lane freeway) but high latency (rush hour traffic) and not like the connection. That's satellite. Latencies range from 500-1000ms. Typical consumer hardwired (DSL or Cable) latencies are sub 100ms, and many times sub 40ms.
- As someone else mentioned, some Satellite providers penalize you for using the pipe.
I deal with setting up construction field trailers and we run into this all of the time. We have tried every satellite provider out there and haven't stuck with one yet, but our data needs are different with running a virtual link back to the main office. If you need just casual surfing and aren't a heavy user, I'd take satellite over dialup.
Another, pretty uncommon, but viable option is ISDN. It's sold by your LEC (local telephone company). It comes in a couple flavors, but the BRI is the one you'd want likely. 128k and very low latency. However, this is "old school" and you'll have to find the right person at the telco to talk to. It's most common use today is in bundles of 3 BRIs for video conferencing.
Good luck!
