WiFi access aboard, Gulf Coast, E. Coast FL, and Bahamas

[Moonhowler]

Howdy Hatteras owners - I've got a 41C under contract, planning some coastal/Bahamas cruising. What is the best way to stay WiFi connected while on board? I still need to work, so I still need access. Also hoping to use it for TV streaming instead of traditional satellite. Many thanks for your recent experiences/equipment/guidance.
Moonhowler

 

[Pascal]

Get a cellular modem connected to a router or a router with built in cellular modem. Then get a line/sim from your favorite provider (att, VZ etc). In the Bahamas you can use prepaid sims from BTC or Aliv

Works real well for us. I have an older Cradlepoint IBR1150 modem. It’s discontinued and replaced with newer model. Other brands have them as well

You can also use an accesspoint like Netgear. Att sells them.

Service works up to 10 miles off shore and pretty much everywhere in the Bahamas except far from land.

Don’t bother with Wifi booster as connecting to shore based wifi is hit or miss... more like miss actually except at a few good marinas

 

[Moonhowler]

Thanks so much, Pascal, I was leaning that way, but was wondering if the newly deployed satellites for WiFi were up/being used on boats and how the experience is...

You cruise a lot in my favorite areas - hope to see you on the hook soon!

 

[SEVEN]

I’ve been waiting for a star link. I think this might be the wave of the future.

 

[Pascal]

When Starlink is available for boats it should be game changer but that’s a couple of years away. I think they are conducting tests and working on licensing.

Current satellite technology works great, the hardware is a lot cheaper than it used to be but what has not got down are the rates. Last time I checked it was down to $5 a MB. Yes a Megabyte not a Gigabyte...

 

[SEVEN]

Currently the cost of the equipment is 500.00 and 99.00 a month for service. That will come down once the are up and running.

 

[drburke]

Currently the cost of the equipment is 500.00 and 99.00 a month for service. That will come down once the are up and running.

And apparently keep your cats warm too...

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smar...tellite-dishes-as-self-heating-beds-180979401

 

[Pascal]

Currently the cost of the equipment is 500.00 and 99.00 a month for service. That will come down once the are up and running.

That’s for land service. Problem is that hey don’t have the hardware or license to install on boats. Yet.

 

[SEVEN]

That’s why I’m waiting

 

[Dan Mapes]

I am hesitant to say TV streaming will be ok and would rather have the satellite but we have not lived aboard over there in 5 years. We used DirecTV and were able to get most of what we liked from the Abacos down to Staniel. After that it was sketchy and virtually dead at Great Exuma. They had a plan that b'cast the big 4 networks without all of the local channels.

We went with a wifi booster and had an old phone that we put a Bahamian sim card into. There were some pretty good deals over there for data plans. When one was down (wifi and cell), the other might be up.

I've used Verizon internationally and found that plan to, well, suck. It's ok for a day here and there but if used in one place for an extended period of time I maxed out in a hurry.
Maybe ATT is better.

 

[Pascal]

Things have changed in the last few years and they keep changing fast.

First of all, local wifi service which used to be the best option in many islands has pretty much gone away so wifi boosters like Wave are a waste of money unless your home marina has good wifi service.

If you need connectivity away from the dock, cellular is the way to go.

US carriers offer various plans. ATT has discontinued its monthly Passport service plans and only has a $10 a day plan which is pretty much unlimited. The good thing is that they only charge you a maximum of 10 days per billing cycle. VZ has a similar plan and the others too. Naomi has Vz and it seems to work fine but that’s only in her personal devices

Obviously for calls we use wifi calling when on the boat. Free

Locally there are 3 options

The best is My Island Wifi with a $90 a month unlimited, no fine print plan. They use the BTC network but unfortunately have a limit to the number of sims they can resell and as a result have a wait list

Next is Aliv which is or prepaid service that is also unlimited with possible throttle back.

Third is BTC prepaid. They have various plans, about $30/40 for 6 or 8 gig. Works well but will run out to kick if more than a couple of people and streaming


We have My Island Wifi and have had it for 3 years. We Keep it on even if we don’t go for a couple of months. We sometimes have 12 of us on board, all with phones, iPads, computers and streaming. In fact on this last trip we barely used the sat TV, mostly streaming.


At to Starlink, it will be great when it comes on line for boats but it s at least two years away. In the meantime cellular works great with minimum equipment.

 

[Moonhowler]

Thanks again, Pascal. I really appreciate the "current state of things" update. While in the Abacos after Dorian the only thing we could use was my ATT phone and hotspot, which worked well. In the Exumas 2 years ago we found the same conditions you mention. ~Moonhowler

 

[Freestyle]

Locally there are 3 options

The best is My Island Wifi with a $90 a month unlimited, no fine print plan. They use the BTC network but unfortunately have a limit to the number of sims they can resell and as a result have a wait list

Next is Aliv which is or prepaid service that is also unlimited with possible throttle back.

Third is BTC prepaid. They have various plans, about $30/40 for 6 or 8 gig. Works well but will run out to kick if more than a couple of people and streaming


Can any of these options be purchased online before travelling?

Thanks

Bruce

Freestyle
Tampa

 

[Pascal]

BTC yes you order online from MrSim

MIW can be ordered directly BUT they have a long wait list. They should have some available in the spring after winter cruisers head back home

Aliv can only be bought at three stores or on a few island