Internet Conectivity

[Lance Jones]

After moving aboard, we quickly tired of relying on blackberry or work connections for our I-net access. I did a search using my laptop for local, unsecured wifi nets. NONE!

Back to do some research.... I had a friend recommend the Verizon Mifi. So, I checked it out. Well, I purchased one with a 5GB package. So far, we've been quite happy with it and it gives us access from anywhere in the boat for my laptop or my wife's netbook. Can handle up to 5 users at once with no issues.

[Rick Johnson]

Lance,  I had one of the early Verizon packages which allowed unlimited use.  I dropped the service when I moved to Texas 5 years ago.  Now, when I started looking into getting the service again, I see that all the companys have limited access packages.  I will be interested in how the 5GB package works out for you.

Cheers,

Rick

[waterdog]

We use the Telcel Banda Ancha service.   Unlimited data.   Only 450 pesos a month.  It works great!

[Ron Hill]

Lance : I use Verizon thru my cell phone and am happy with it. 
I'd suggest that you talk to people in your area & where you are going to and see which company gives the best coverage and bang for the buck.  In your case the best coverage may well be the deciding factor (unless you want to save $$ and be out of Kommo!!).  A thought

[Lance Jones]

So far, we've used about 25% of our 5 GB. Billing ends on the 18th. So I guess it works well for us. We don't do a whole lot of up and down loading anyway. Verizon is $50, not too bad.

[Hawk]

Lance,

Did you consider a marine wireless antenna?
An example is below:
http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/wireless-marine-antenna.php

Of course if there are no available nets then a wider coverage won't help.

Hawk

[Lance Jones]

Great idea. However, at this time, I think, the MiFi is our answer. Here is a photo of it. It is about the size of a credit card and about as thick as a small post-it note pad. Very convenient.

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

You also may consider a feature called "tethering" if you have data access through your cell phone or blackberry. It allows you to connect your laptop to your blackberry and uses the blackberry sort of like a modem. Also , you need to see if your provider supports tethering.

Mike

[Lance Jones]

Thanks. That's what Ron suggested. It'd work; but, my wife and I tend to be on-line at the same time AND that would require us to get 2 data packages as opposed to one with the MiFi.

[Lance Jones]

Just an update....
We've been using the MiFi for a good bit now and it has been a great addition to our boat. If you don't want to add an antenna or are not in an area where that'd work, I highly recommend the MiFi product.

We could use our Blackberry; but, our service requires a data plan for each Blackberry. The Admiral and I can use the MiFi at the same time (Handles up to 5) with little, if any, degradation of access speed. We've used Skype, downloaded video etc. and the 5GB package seems to cover all that easily.