Bell Portable Internet

I had a chance to review the Rogers Rockets Stick in my last post I wanted to do a comparison of the Rogers Rocket Stick and Bell Portable Internet sold here in Canada. If you have not read my “Rogers Rocket Stick” review, please see it on my main blog.

My findings were interesting, since both products are fairly good especially for a search engine optimizer like myself having to work on the Internet quite frequently and using a ton of bandwidth (www.marketinglaunchinnovations.com).

The  Rogers Rocket Stick is fantastic if you don’t have access to a wall power cord connection (or DSL/Cable connection) – this means you can travel to client meetings and use your own computer (and show results to client -  e.g. like for my business – how well are my client sites optimized for Google on the spot).

If you find yourself needing to meet clients in restaurants and other places that are remote without a WiFi connection or wireless connection, the Rogers Rockets Stick is a fantastic option. Additionally, I find myself in my client’s business offices showing them my computer info, vs the info on their computer. It’s easier for me to show and tell from a laptop vs their “base station” computer and huddling around a laptop is easier than a clients sometimes “cluttered desk”.

In my previous post I had indicated that the Rogers Rockets Stick didn’t work as well in remote locations previous to a hardware upgrade last fall of 2009. Since I received my replacement upgraded Rogers Rocket Stick as fall of 2009 (which most customers received as a replacement upgrade in Ontario) the rockets stick works fantastic in remote locations including the cottage where the Rogers communication towers are very far away (miles – across the Ottawa River) and  additionally my cottage is nestled in towering pine trees which could interfere with the Rogers tower signal.  However, the Rocket Stick was able to overcome these obstacles and see over the trees (No pundit intended). It now works fantastic at the cottage and in restaurants in rural and urban areas for example.

Bell Portable Internet has been a fantastic option for me as a primary internet connection since it is a less expensive substitute for the Rogers rockets stick (it’s a fixed price per month versus variable price based on usage).  My delta with the Rocket Stick is approx $50 more than Bell’s Portable Internet in high usage months. Therefore using a mix of the 2 is good for me and more economical. The Rogers rockets stick charges based on bandwidth use whereas Portable Internet by Bell has a flat monthly fee; and as a bonus for now, unlimited usage at a flat rate of about $50 inc. taxes. This is a fantastic option for somebody like myself that uses a ton of internet.

Since I own an Internet based business, relying heavily on high-speed Internet is key. Since my office is in a rural location – I have been told by the major providers (Bell/Rogers) no cable or DSL infrastructure can be put in place (other internet options). The only option in Canada for rural users like myself is to use either a Rogers Rocket Stick, Bell Portable Internet (until they start building more homes/businesses around me – to make it worth it for Bell/Rogers to build DSL/Cable connection) or Satellite Internet (which is cost prohibitive at least for me).

The advantage and disadvantage of Bell Portable Internet is as follows (see my previous post about Rogers Rocket Stick to get more info on Rogers Rocket Stick)

Advantages of Bell Portable Internet compared to Rogers Rockets Stick

• less expensive than the Rocket Stick’s variable price plan based on usage (up to $50 per month less if high internet user)
• unlimited bandwidth usage (for now maybe – it’s a steal until Bell catches on?)
• faster speeds when weather conditions are optimal, and less “dropped internet”
• faster speeds when “tree leaves” are not blocking signal – e.g. fall/winter
• faster login/Internet and connection (no login for Bell)
• quick delivery of hardware upon  sign-up
• less likely hood of damaging unit (since it sits stationary most of the time)
• easier service (replacement) if unit if damaged (not working)
• ability to bring unit to cottage etc. with “electricity outlet”

Disadvantage of Portable Internet compared to the rocket stick

• less reliable in bad weather
• hard initially to configure (to find “ideal” location in house to catch “the best” signal), but once you find it, good for lifetime of unit
• less reliable in spring/summer due to  trees/leaf growth blocking signal
• no ability to bring to “non power outlet” site e.g. restaurant/bar/outside
• larger bulky unit and requires cables (Rogers Rocket Stick is as small as 3 inches x 1 inch), for example it’s tough to just throw it in your nap-sack and go since it’s ~1foot by 1 foot and has cables
• can’t use outside if no electricity outlet
• more tedious also to set up if you have to move it regularly since you have 2 long cables: electricity cable and internet router cable (if you go wireless, has to be connected to router all the time;  or your computer if you are not plugged into a router). Additionally, you may loose your “best signal” spot to position the unit.
• no US coverage if you take the unit with you to the US

All in all I use a mixture of the 2 for my business. All winter and fall I use only Bell Portable Internet (since my business is in a thick overgrowth forest – spring/summer I get a lot of signal interference). If your home or business does not have much “interference outside” you are going to love it all year round. I believe the signal is based on a visible signal to the tower so should be positioned by a window or facing a window…

I have approx. $300 in savings in cold months (compared to using the Rogers Rocket Stick). In the spring and summer I tend to use the Rocket Stick 50% of the time (especially when the weather is bad – e.g. lots of overcast/rain/fog). I use the Rocket Stick in warm months at a low variable usage, and only on the days where my Portable Internet is not getting a signal. And obviously the biggest advantage – The Rogers Rocket Stick is a good travel internet substitute (to meetings and even travel to the US). Therefore my variable price (the lowest you can get for the stick including taxes) is approx. $50 inc. taxes if I don’t use it full time (5 days a week) for my business. Beware however if you travel to the US, call Rogers first and let them know you are traveling since I got charged a little more for roaming.

In summary, you want both in my opinion. They both serve different purposes and compliment each other:

Rogers Rocket Stick – If you want to be truly portable in North America/Rural and Urban/Inside and Outside and anywhere you can get cell phone coverage (even a boat) it’s an awesome little technology wonder. And as a good backup if your other internet goes down. But beware, it can be more expensive if used as a primary internet source if you use a ton of internet usage. If you are a casual internet user – expect to pay minimum $50 inc taxes every mo. (even if you hardly use it).

Bell Portable Internet – If you want an awesome, fast, inexpensive unlimited internet option to Cable/DSL – Bell Portable Internet is great and just as fast (if not cheaper even in Urban locations). Not to mention, you can use it in rural areas, without Cable/DSL and take it to the cottage or places you think you will be for a while if those places have low outside interference (e.g. thick forest and tree leaves blocking signal).

Both Bell and Rogers have a great return policy. So I suggest, buy one or both and try them out – especially in the month you activate the unit (use it for the first time)  if you think you are traveling to the cottage. Bring the unit(s) you. Just to make sure they both work in your “temp” location.