WiFi in the Juans?

[Sundancer]

We might be spending more time than we'd like to admit in the San Juans this Summer. What's the best way to connect? I thought I'd heard someone mention either Verizon or AT&T, but I don't remember which! What's the scoop from those in the know?

Thanks!

[Tedster]

The company with the best cell coverage in the Juans is clearly Verizon!

[SomeSailor]

I have a Verizon Air Card (actually a USB device) that I've used extensively in years past, but now I've got the 3G iPad that might change. I still like the air card for the ability to share the connection with other PCs on the boat (wife and kids laptop). It is nice being able to stay in touch and watch TV while out and gone.

[wickus]

sprint works well everywhere except Rosario, they have (did have, anyway) free wi-fi in the marina. Deer Harbor has spotty coverage.

[tolly28]

The company with the best cell coverage in the Juans is clearly Verizon!

I don't know if I'd say that... I had Verizon for years, and recently switched to AT&T. They both have spots they work and spots they don't. However, I'd have to say that I have had AT&T (3g or Edge coverage, too) in places where I had no service with Verizon.

AT&T just added a new tower on the west end of Fidalgo Island (at our fire station), so I would expect coverage to be even better than I had before.

[voyager]

Roche has Wifi, if you dock close in you can get it on the boat otherwise you need a laptop and need to get close to the office.

[Tedster]

I don't know if I'd say that... I had Verizon for years, and recently switched to AT&T. They both have spots they work and spots they don't. However, I'd have to say that I have had AT&T (3g or Edge coverage, too) in places where I had no service with Verizon.

AT&T just added a new tower on the west end of Fidalgo Island (at our fire station), so I would expect coverage to be even better than I had before.

Well I will admitt it was a couple years ago when I was at the Bayliner Rendezvous, and nobody but Verizon phones were getting through.

[SomeSailor]

AT&T is definitely getting better but I carry both very day and still think Verizon has the best coverage. Mostly when moving it seems that AT&T seems to drop more often. Not a huge problem with boats, but sure annoying when driving and on a conference call.

[tolly28]

Seems most of the marinas have BBX (Broadband Xpress)- it's not cheap, but if you're in range it might be cheaper than getting cellular aircard just for the trip. It sure won't be any help when you're out on the hook somewhere, though... http://bbxpress.net/


EDIT: I haven't used BBX for a while, but it looks like they quit offering some of their short-term plans that they used to... It appears their only short-term plan is daily at $10.95... no thanks!

They used to also offer a three-day and one week plan- I see that I am eligible for a one week plan, as I have an "account" and that is the plan I have used before...

When are marinas going to just begin providing it as a service? Port Ludlow, Cap Sante, and Bell Harbor (a few that I know of..) do!

[SomeSailor]

That's part of Kevin's strategy (Kevin Keating is the founder). His idea is to step in and provide WiFi in places in exchange for discounted or free access for their offices. Their terms don't usually allow them to compete directly with him even if they chose. :(

[Sundancer]

I had a Verizon card before and it seemed to work, but I didn't use it that much when we we're in the San Juans. That was a company provided aircard. Now I'm without a company and needless to say, they took their aircard! I'll look at plans for both Verizon and AT&T and see if there is any big price difference or if we can add it to our current cell plan at a discounted rate somehow.

Thanks!

[Go Aweigh2452]

I had a Verizon card before and it seemed to work, but I didn't use it that much when we we're in the San Juans. That was a company provided aircard. Now I'm without a company and needless to say, they took their aircard! I'll look at plans for both Verizon and AT&T and see if there is any big price difference or if we can add it to our current cell plan at a discounted rate somehow.

Thanks!

Currently ATT has all you can use internet for $30/month (its mandatory with IPhone & IPad).

Verizon max is 5 gb/month for $59.99, 250mb/month for $39.99, if added to your phone then its only $29.99 again for 5 gb per month... add to both phone and laptop $49.99 for 5 gb per month...
Over use: 5 GB overage rate is $0.05/MB and 250 MB overage rate is $0.10/MB

In the Canadian Broadband and Canadian Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Areas, usage will be charged at a rate of $0.002 per KB or $2.05 per MB.

Not sure about you but I never liked checking to see how much internet I have used when I had Verizon...

[SomeSailor]

Currently ATT has all you can use internet for $30/month (its mandatory with IPhone & IPad).

ATT just yanked the unlimited plans. Unless you're already grandfathered in... you can't get it anymore. :( BUT... they are allowing tethering with the new plans.



Not sure about you but I never liked checking to see how much internet I have used when I had Verizon...

I've never gone over on my Verizon, but turn roaming off to avoid accidentally jumping over the border.

[Papa Charlie]

While I haven't tested it outside of the Everett area. We are presently using Sprint. They have a puck that you plug into eithe an AC outlet or into a USB port for power or it has an internal battery, it accesses the internet either 3g or 4g. Multiple computers can access it through the wifi card so no wires which I am finding out is a pain on a boat. Wireless everything from this point on is my goal. So far we are seeing speeds between 48 and 54 Mbps with both computers accessing it at the same time.
The cost is $59.95 with the same 5 gb limit as the others. Patti just got a new laptop. While at Best Buy I was talking with the Clear rep. Seems they share sourcing with Sprint. Sprint provides them with the 4g and they use their lines for the 3g. Although Clear is on a limited contract with Sprint and the coverage is not national.

[Go Aweigh2452]

ATT just yanked the unlimited plans. Unless you're already grandfathered in... you can't get it anymore. :( BUT... they are allowing tethering with the new plans.

thank goodness I am a grandfather then... jail broken also allows tethering...

[Sundancer]

I heard that AT&T dropped the unlimited as of June 1. The $30 a month plan sounds good, so I'll do some inquiries to see if that will work or if we can get that deal. I knew it wasn't going to be a simple answer! I do appreciate the replies and I'll contact both of them to see what works best pricewise. I'm not opposed to tethering either!!

THANKS!!!

[Play N Hookie II]

I have a grandfathered unlimited plan with Verizon. I switched over to the "mifi" device. It is sweet and will be even better when Verizon implements the 4G network this year. The mifi allows us to connect up to 5 devices to one aircard. It is a mobile hotspot. It works really well. I even play my xbox on it all the time and it works perfect. You cannot do that with any other air card. The 4g network will sweeten the pot.

[Go Aweigh2452]

AT&T (http://www.att.com/) (NYSE: T) has picked Ericsson (http://www.ericsson.com/) (Nasdaq: ERICY) and Alcatel-Lucent (http://www.alcatel.com/) (NYSE: ALU) to build its new LTE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3GPP_Long_Term_Evolution) (Long Term Evolution) high-speed wireless network. It is a significant win for the two companies, which are developing a similar network for Verizon (http://www.verizonwireless.com/), as it solidifies their hold on this particular piece of the wireless infrastructure market.

AT&T's LTE network is scheduled to start operating in 2011. LTE is another name for 4G. Verizon, which awarded its business to Ericsson and Alcatel last year, plans to roll out its LTE network (http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/66224.html) this year.

So, AT&T is not that far behind. In fact roll out for both Verizon and AT&T LTE/4G may be about the same time here in the Seattle area...

[SomeSailor]

The down side is all the air cards will be dead in the water with the new LTE approach, AND Verizon chosing a network topology that will be ruling out the iPhone for their users. :(

[Mehanso]

Ok, so I used to run an aircard in my laptop through VZW until I got a Droid. I have the fascinate or whatever it's called but it has an HDMI output and a full HTML browser so when I am in the river I just pluck the monitor I keep under the seat and I can browse the web, watch videos, and everything I was doing previously plus I get all my emails from all of my email accounts instantly.
It does cost 29.99 for the data plan but it is a real space saver and it works flawlessly.

LOL, Just my 2 cents......

[Papa Charlie]

We have Sprint and I can say that I have not been overly pleased with the coverage. Neither on my cell or the computer 4G connection. We loose connection far too often and the speed has not been anything to write home about.