Donation of data service for Squadron Operations

[c172drv]

Anybody received donations of service from Cell phone providers for internet access?  I'm looking to see if I can get Verizon, AT&T, Sprint or similar to donate data access for our squadron to support our operations.  Anyone had such luck?  If so, with who?

[swamprat86]

Check with National.  National use to provide free dial up for every unit through Earthlink.  I don't know if it is still available.

[c172drv]

Dial up would be fine if we met anywhere that had a phone line.

[Spike]

I got AT&T to donate an ancient aircard and a free access plan which they called "Community Outreach Initiative", but they became Cingular and that went away, now that they are AT&T again (but really still Cingular) I have no clue. 

[Eclipse]

Check in your area to see if they have wireless broadband - this comes in on an antenna and provides high speed data in a similar, higher power manner as home wifi.

(Note this is not the a satellite kludge).

I have at least one unit getting this type of service at no charge from the provider.

[gistek]

Earthlink does still have the dial-up and free hosting. They've dropped the number of megs available, but there's still enough for a site unless you plan to include a lot of high-end A/V.

As far as getting access goes, you'll probably do better trying to find a local company that will either donate a land-line or permit you to piggy-back on their service.

Some cable companies are willing to donate a connection. Many dsl providers will offer you a free dsl in exchange for a place to locate a signal booster.

If at first you don't succeed, keep trying. The entire communications industry is changing, so what's not available now may be free tomorrow.