satellites, internet usages worldwide?

[SPropst]

I have been reading many different sites with different information.

Is there a way to have internet signal on your boat that works all over the world?

Thanks for any info on this subject.

Stacey

[Paul Elliott]

The answer is "Yes".

The details get complicated. By "internet" do you mean email? The Iridium satphone and an email service provider (see XGate as one example) will do the job at a reasonable price.

If you want limited web access, an Iridium satphone can give you that as well, but the emphasis is on "limited". There are web accelerators that do compression and intelligent link management, but it's still going to be slow. You are *not* going to be watching YouTube with this system.

If you want fast internet, it's going to cost a lot. Iridium has a multi-port system, and I believe Inmarsat also has world-wide coverage. Prepare to spend upwards of $5000 just for the equipment, and the data rates are still only 128 kbit/s or so. The connect time is expensive. here are some examples: Internet at Sea - Maritime

[captainKJ]

4000k per months gives you lots of usage for internet at sea.

[FlippyFloppies]

Has anyone tried one of the new "wifi hotspots"? I'm thinking they would work great for at least coastal sailing in between marinas if you find yourself needing to send a few work emails out or whatever the case.

[barnakiel]

There is no problem to get Internet access offshore. Google Inmarsat. Then google best alternative to Inmarsat.

Closer inshore you can try getting access via your mobile.

b.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

There is no problem to get Internet access offshore. Google Inmarsat. Then google best alternative to Inmarsat.

Closer inshore you can try getting access via your mobile.

b.

Correct however fast internet , ie browsing speeds costs megabucks

[dan360]

Mini-vsat is 1$ / MB and the KVH V3 gives you 2MB download speed. Obviously you still can't watch streaming stuff, because that would get seriously expensive, but its about the same as roaming data plans on a mobile, so about as "reasonable" as it gets right now. Doesn't work in the Pacific, but Atlantic, Carbibbean, Med, Asia etc.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Correct however fast internet , ie browsing speeds costs megabucks

Correct however bucks were not part of the question.

Mega is a movable feast. ;-)

Cheers,
b.

[sparau]

Originally Posted by dan360

Mini-vsat is 1$ / MB

wow, that is horrifically expensive ! Just opening an email from someone with a few images is going to cost several $'s

[dan360]

Originally Posted by sparau

wow, that is horrifically expensive ! Just opening an email from someone with a few images is going to cost several $'s

It is however 1/10th of the price of Fleet broad band and also about the same price as roaming on your cell phone if you have an international data contract. It is currently the cheapest satellite based system. That plus an Iridium Extreme gives you worldwide connectivity if you want it in the cheapest way available today.

[Katiusha]

Originally Posted by dan360

It is however 1/10th of the price of Fleet broad band and also about the same price as roaming on your cell phone if you have an international data contract. It is currently the cheapest satellite based system.

And KVH provides compression and image/rtf stripping if requested, so you don't have to pay for those images. Your original email will remain on the server for your later perusal.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by sparau

wow, that is horrifically expensive ! Just opening an email from someone with a few images is going to cost several $'s

I will respectfully disagree.

A radiofax image sent by NOAA server is below 0.1 MB. A grib file is also less than 0.1 MB.

A recent report I sent to another boatie (plenty of text and 7 illustrative images) came out at 1.8 MB.

Simply ask that someone to size the images for the planned use. A 16 MPix sensor in someone's newest Nikon does not imply they have to send you 16 MPix images.

b.

[sparau]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I will respectfully disagree.

A radiofax image sent by NOAA server is below 0.1 MB. A grib file is also less than 0.1 MB.

A recent report I sent to another boatie (plenty of text and 7 illustrative images) came out at 1.8 MB.

Simply ask that someone to size the images for the planned use. A 16 MPix sensor in someone's newest Nikon does not imply they have to send you 16 MPix images.

b.

yes, very true and highly useful for that.

I am a computer programmer looking to move my business to a travelling floating platform, lets just say that it wont work for that. i hadn't managed to find prices for sat stuff hence the quick heart attack at those data rates.

thats ok, i'll just wait until landfall and play guitar when underway

[svWindfall]

For cruisers without unlimited budgets:
1. Offshore we use our Ham radio with WinLink (or SailMail for non Ham licensed operators) to get weather faxes, and to send/receive emails (w/o images), and check in with radio cruiser's nets for additional weather and other additional information from other cruisers in the local (and distant) areas. Hams (ONLY) may check in with the Maritime Mobile Service Net on 14.300 USB (Maritime Mobile Service Network )- This is a wonderful net fully devoted to the cruising community. The friendly controllers are professional with powerful stations, and very dedicated (they also broadcast NOAA weather and answer any questions for your area). Check them out!
2. Near shore (with cell service) we use (insert country cell provider) and use our cell phone as the internet modem. This works great.
3. There is also the USB type we used in Mexico that worked well and can be recharged at any OXXO store.
4. Go to shore and use an internet cafe.