MacSailing.net

My partner and I are going cruising for the first time starting in a month or two (Gulf of Mexico, US east coast, Bahamas). We want to find the best way to have internet access on our ibook while moving around so much, and right now I'm thinking a cell phone data plan would be the best way to go.

From all I've seen so far, it looks like the only way to go provider-wise is Cingular because a) the ibook doesn't have a pcmcia slot, b) Cingular hasn't shut off internet-via-bluetooth-phones like Verizon has, and c) their Edge service looks to be available all along the Gulf and East coasts (except the Cape Hatteras area).

Anyone have suggestions? Anything above incorrect to your knowledge?

It really depends on how close you'll be to cel towers.

Edge and Cingular's new 3G systems are very fast, about like DSL. However, the data plans are expensive and you won't be able to surf very much before you're through your allotment.

I have Cingular service here in the PNW and am able to tether my iBook and use the slower MediaNet service just fine for email and light surfing with my Moto v551. I have the unlimited service for only $19.95 a month. Cingular doesn't advertise this usage and don't ask a CSR about tethering a laptop, because they'll say you can do it. But in fact, their contract only states that they reserve the right to kick you off if you use too much bandwidth. So don't do video! But to my knowledge they have no way to determine that you are using a iBook with the phone, nor have I heard of anyone being kicked off.

More on this and any cel question can be found on Howard forums:
http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=50

Another solution for email is to buy a very small Bluetooth keyboard that interfaces with any Bluetooth phone and just type away, no laptop required!

Really though, I think you'll find that once you leave the US, Internet cafes are everywhere and easy to use.

Sat phones are very expensive.

Jack

I have recently had to jump into this search for fast net service and found that Sprint, Verizon and Cingular all offer a data plan (using EVDO cards). Verizon has the best coverage, Sprint is right up there and Cingular is not as good of a deal. In my area (US Virgin Islands), Sprint is the way to go. It is not a phone plan, but a data plan. Unlimited at $60/month at broadband speeds. Coverage is quite good and if you are in a slow area, you are still at 100k (2 x modem speed) which will work for email and even basic weather charts.

In terms of the Mac side, Verizon has the best Mac support, including an ExpressCard modem with Mac software. Slick. Sprint is not so slick, but there are people out there that have made it work well on a Mac. But, Sprint does not have a supported ExpressCard modem. Now the good news! Sprint just released a USB EVDO modem and Mac drivers are available on the web. The only hitch is that it must be activated using win software from Sprint. That is also taken care of by some resellers.

You can read more about this at [url=http://www.evdoinfo.com/The_News/Latest_News/Novatel_Ovation_U720_Mac_Compatible_20061129855/]EVDO Info and purchase a pre-activated unit through their other site [url=http://booster-antenna.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=277&zenid=528ee0ef67713787fe0760037fc14914]Booster-Antenna.com

And, the great side to all of this is that when you are in the USA, including USVI and PR, you have broadband or at least some form of net service... and thn it travels with you when you go for a visit to rellies far away from water :wink:

Now, this does not do anything for when you are outide of the US :oops:

Cheers!

Oh, and they have a [url=http://booster-antenna.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=63&products_id=348]marine antenna boosts the signal strength.

They supposedly have water coverage in Puget Sound, I'm seriously considering it, wonder if anyone else has tried it yet.

I am using it in the USVI on my boat and it works great! Without the antenna I am getting 2 bars out of 4 and speeds from 300/200 to 800/500 (d/u)