Hi jdepce,
PortalShark is the separate company MobiLinc owns to run/manage the MobiLinc Connect portal service. It's a legal distinction, but not an operational one.
The yearly fee of $29.99 USD for your ISY to access MobiLinc Connect has been in place since we released MobiLinc Connect in 2012. I can't comment or speculate on future price changes, but we've been able to offer the service at this price point for 4 years so far.
Wes