Sat/com/internet service other than Starlink

[Cptd]

Any recommendations for Sat/comms/internet service other than Starlink ?

 

[mermike]

Iridium is the only other option I know of at the moment. I've been looking, because $tarlink's con$tant change$ and increa$ing limitation$ are driving me nut$.

 

[Cptd]

Yeah, don't want to do business with Starlink ! Have you heard of Viasat ? they just acquired Inmarsat.

 

[dlochner]

Right now Starlink is the only viable high speed internet satellite option. The other options are fine for text messages and weather downloads.

Spot and Garmin InReach both offer satellite text messaging, emergency communication, and tracking.

 

[SkiingSailor]

Spot and Garmin InReach both offer satellite text messaging, emergency communication, and tracking.

There are several other options similar to (and perhaps better than) Garmin InReach. For example: Zoleo, ACR Bivy

 

[JBP-PA]

If you are near shore most of the time, you can get cell systems that are much better than your phones wifi hotspot. They offer features similar to a wifi router and some allow you to use a seperate antenna so you can locate high up. One popular brand is called Mifi. T-Mobile also has a home internet over cellular.

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet?INTNAV=tNav:HomeInternet

See also

https://www.yachtworld.com/research/wifi-at-sea-your-guide-to-marine-satellite-internet/#satellite-systems

 

[jssailem]

The T-Mobile idea seems limited to a Live-Aboard in a marina. T-Mobile wants an address to see if the service is available in your location.

 

[JBP-PA]

I suppose they at least need a billing address. I wonder if roaming is free like it is on their phone plans.

 

[MFD]

One of these, a T-Mobile SIM card and an external antenna.
Works great for coastal cruising in the Pacific Northwest, I have been setup that way for about 5 years.
Or, if another cellular provider has better coverage in your area, use them.

Be sure to check with the cellular provider about data limits. I believe for T-Mobile you will want the small business plan, otherwise there are caps at like 50GB or something and it slows down.

 

[Cptd]

Thanks for the info, we'll be cruising coastal New England in summer months and then offshore to Caribbean late fall, so I want to be able to have Comms and internet up to 5-6 hundred miles from land

 

[dlochner]

If you go with Starlink reach your options carefully. The lowest price options may not be the cheapest. There is a Starlink on boats. FB group.

 

[Johann]

Prior to Starlink we had an Iridium Go. I was able to get weather and emails but the process was VERY slow and frustrating. The Iridium Go Exec would be my Starlink alternative today for weather and email. The price is actually not bad now at 210USD a month for unlimited data.

Iridium GO! exec · PredictWind

Get weather information and communicate offshore, now. 40X faster than the original Iridium GO!

www.predictwind.com

 

[Phil]

+1 on SPOT and InReach for text messaging and tracking. I used InReach for San Francisco to Oahu and regularly use it when going inter-island in Hawaii. It works very well for what it is.

Later this year you will be able to get 5G satellite coverage via AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone once AST SpaceMobile gets a few more than the current 5 satellites on orbit. Use of the satellites will be an optional addition to your plan and you will pay as you play.

Home - AST SpaceMobile

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