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Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
#31288
01/01/2015 03:35 AM
01/01/2015 03:35 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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I would like to setup a wireless router on the boat so we can share internet data with several devices while we are sailing. I am pretty computer/network literate but know little about cell phones, data plans and such. I have been studying the frequencies used by Digicel and Lime and think I have a handle on the routers that will work but from there things get fuzzy for me. I'd prefer not to tether a cell phone and not to have to go to a store (mrsimcard if possible) or rent equipment. I think over the long run this will work best for me and save some money.
So my first question is, assuming we already have a phone on board to make calls can I just buy a data sim for the wireless router? I know I'll need to put it in a phone to activate it first. From looking at mrsimcard and the Digicel and Lime websites I'm not sure if I need to get a prepaid phone talk plan first and then add data to it or if I can just activate a data sim and use it in the router.
I have a lot more questions on the mechanics of this but I'll stop here for now.
Last edited by beerMe; 01/01/2015 03:41 AM.
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: beerMe]
#31289
01/01/2015 11:49 AM
01/01/2015 11:49 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 252 Chicago, IL
Showdavid
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 252
Chicago, IL
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Activecaptain did an entire series on wiring up the boat for WIFI a couple of months ago. Tried to find a link for you, but if you go to activecaptain.com, maybe you'll have better luck. It was really in depth and explained the different features of different routers and other equipment as well as why he chose the equipment he did. Hopefully this will be a good starting point. Good Luck Happy New Year!
Dave
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: sunbvi]
#31293
01/01/2015 08:40 PM
01/01/2015 08:40 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 560 Jacksonville, FL, USA
onlymedication
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 560
Jacksonville, FL, USA
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Same here, but we did Digicel. Also bought a cheap phone. Now when we go back, it's just a top up and we'll be good to go, hopefully. I think I spent around $130 or so on the two devices, plus the data for the mifi. I'm sure it could be done cheaper, but I just wanted to be sure it worked. Stopped in the Digicel store in Road Town and was on my way within 30 minutes or so. I did that while my wife got started on the grocery shopping at Bobby's right down the street, so it really didn't cost us any time.
Also, there is a Scotia Bank right there as well where we pulled out cash from my Bank America account fee free (don't like traveling with too much cash), so we were able to knock out a couple errands in one stop. Also got a good cup of coffee.
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: onlymedication]
#31294
01/01/2015 10:23 PM
01/01/2015 10:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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Thanks Showdavid for the Activecaptain article and Davids for the link. There is a lot of good information packed in there.
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: beerMe]
#31295
01/01/2015 10:56 PM
01/01/2015 10:56 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
OP
Traveler
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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Thanks Sail2wind and Sunbvi.
Sail2wind I had looked at that mifi and it looks like it would work for me in the BVI and Antigua (quad band 850/900/1800/1900Mhz looks like it runs HSPA - theoretical download speed of 14Mbps, actual probably 1-2Mbsp). I started expanding my wants to something that could run HPSA+ and also cover St. Martin and maybe even Greece but as the wants increased so did the price and the difficulty in finding something that could do it all. All I really need is a way to check weather and send a few emails plus have a wifi connection so that whatever devices others bring can connect. At that price I could buy one for the BIV/Antigua, one for St. Martin and one for Greece and still come out ahead of renting!
Sunbvi thanks for letting me know where you had service. In Nov-Dec I rented a wifi from Renport at Sunsail. They had a 7 day plan for $120 but I got them to do a 10 day for $150. I considered it a little on the high side but it was worth it to me. The guy said it wouldn't work on Norman but I had some problems getting a decent signal even on Peter. Not sure if they use Digicel or Lime but it was a little disappointing. The girl at Renport I brought it back to said she thought there was something wrong with the device and we should have called them, maybe but I was doubtful.
Last edited by beerMe; 01/01/2015 11:05 PM.
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: beerMe]
#31296
01/01/2015 11:15 PM
01/01/2015 11:15 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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Onlymedication,
I had seen posts where Sail2wind had said he was going to Lime's store and I thought no way I want to waste the time. Now that you mention it, going to the round-a-bout while my wife is grocery shopping doesn't sound so bad! I like to do things online ahead of time but I'm starting to think I might get a better, and easier to execute, data plan if I walk in the store - I'm having some difficulty understanding some of the options on mrsimcard's webpages and like you I just want to make sure everything works.
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: beerMe]
#31297
01/02/2015 08:55 AM
01/02/2015 08:55 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
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I tried to do this myself with the same unlocked mifi that sail2wind has and never made it work. I've gotten that to work in other countries, so there is some Lime magic they need to work with the settings. If you need it, its worth the trip to the LIME store. I'd like to add a Digicel LTE router to our boat.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: RickG]
#31298
01/02/2015 10:08 AM
01/02/2015 10:08 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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Yeah Rick nothing like wanting it and not being able to get it to work! Although I've spent a career fighting with computers and networks it's not how I want to spend my vacation time. Do you feel the Digicel LTE is necessary or that they might have better coverage?
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: beerMe]
#31299
01/02/2015 11:26 AM
01/02/2015 11:26 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 130
sunbvi
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 130
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Hi beerMe, maybe this thread is also interesting for you: http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=bvi&Number=1617650Some in this thread were saying Digicel is better. Therefore we were going to buy a Digicel-SIM-Card last time but we arrived on a Sunday. Both Digicel- and LIME-shops were closed. So we had to use Lime again. We recharged the SIM-Card and had luckily all the time no problems in the BVIs :-) So I am not sure if or in which regions Digicel is exactly better ... PS: If you have once the SIM-Card you can recharge it very comfortable via the internet but you probably already knew that. PPS: Be aware you have to recharge it in <12 months else you have to buy a new SIM-card they told us :-)
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: sunbvi]
#31300
01/02/2015 11:42 AM
01/02/2015 11:42 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
OP
Traveler
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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Thanks Sunbvi,
I didn't know that you had up to a year to recharge the sim. It's little bits of information like that which make TTOL so useful!
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: sail2wind]
#31303
01/02/2015 03:52 PM
01/02/2015 03:52 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
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Beerme, Jay got a test drive of a Digicel router for our boat in June. They had LTE service throughout the BVI, including to Anegada and back. It worked great for me when I was on that boat, but wifi did not reach to the second boat that I captained. This router was a 120V unit. I spoke with Matthew Drum from Digicel when he was dropping off the demo unit and was impressed with what I heard about their operating plans in the BVI.
I'm a techie, but my lady gets grumpy if I go heads down on a piece of equipment while we're sailing. It either works when we get started or stays on the shelf until we're back at the dock.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: RickG]
#31304
01/03/2015 02:08 AM
01/03/2015 02:08 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
OP
Traveler
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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Onlymedication, love that name, thanks for the information. Yes there are so many variables that it's almost impossible for the average user to know exactly why one carrier seems to work better than another and things are moving/changing constantly. It looks like with 4G and LTE the frequencies used will become even harder to match to your device. Honestly, all I really need is a reasonable connection speed on the boat and I'll be happy.
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: sail2wind]
#31306
01/03/2015 03:31 PM
01/03/2015 03:31 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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sail2wind said: beerme, why do you think a sim card from a St.Martin carrier will not work in a generic unlocked device? Good question. I was looking for a carrier and device combo that had HSPA+ speeds or better. At that time I had checked BVI and Antigua but hadn't done any research on SXM. On another note I found this gsm world coverage map - it shows how North America and parts of South America are on one set of frequencies and the rest of the world is on another set. From my reading it wasn't that the US wanted to be different, there were practical reasons why those frequencies were use (like the bandwidth was already in use). I am not saying that a quad band device wouldn't work in most cases. GSM World Coverage Map
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: sail2wind]
#31308
01/03/2015 06:32 PM
01/03/2015 06:32 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 183 British Virgin Islands
Yachtmaster
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 183
British Virgin Islands
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I have used both Lime and Digicel internet on various boats throughout the BVI over the last couple of years. Both work reasonably well, although each has their moments. You can top up a prepaid Digicel data plan online but you have to call their customer service to activate it.......
I would be interested to hear from anyone who has tried the new CCT 4G internet service around the BVI.......?
Safe and enjoyable boating.
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Re: Wireless Data Plans And Hotspots - Oh My
[Re: FRANKIE2]
#31310
01/05/2015 09:37 PM
01/05/2015 09:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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Frankie,
I am only going by what I've read here but I think both are located at the round-about in RT.
Rick
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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