Wireless Access Point

M

mx8

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We're doing a bareboat charter in BVI this March and the owner says there's a Wireless Access Point on the boat which will allow email but he's not sure about text. We both have iphone's thru verizon. Anyone have any feedback on if or how this will work?

Thanks
 
I believe there are services out there that allow you to send/receive SMS messages through email
I googled it one time several years ago
 
Becareful not to let your phones connect to the cell service there. It can get pricey real quick. If you want to text via WiFi just download a free texting app.
 
Your iPhone will text with iMessage to other iPhones using the Internet connecfion
 
You need to find out what the access point is connected to? It is simply a retransmission method using WiFi but it needs a service provider.
Service providers can be Fleet Broadband really big $$$'s
Mini VSAT not nearly as bad as Fleet but still expensive.
They could be using the local cellular service provider this could still be $$$'s.
I would be curious who the service provider is that the access point rebroadcasts?
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

You need to find out what the access point is connected to? It is simply a retransmission method using WiFi but it needs a service provider.
Service providers can be Fleet Broadband really big $$$'s
Mini VSAT not nearly as bad as Fleet but still expensive.
They could be using the local cellular service provider this could still be $$$'s.
I would be curious who the service provider is that the access point rebroadcasts?
Bill

Click to expand...


If they are revroadcasting a $$$ service, you would have to accept charges on connection, wouldn't you - just like some of the hotels.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but there would nto be a way to automatically charge back to your own cell service provide just by connecting to access point.
 
No way that I am aware of.
Well rent or bring your own satphone?
Bill
 
iMessage uses wifi but it will only work with people using iOS devices

You need to make sure your phones are set NOT to use data roaming, it s like $20 a meg. Regular roaming is always a bit costly, both for voice and txt, but it beats not having anything as long as you are reasonable in usage.

You also need to find out about that access point. I m not sure what plans and services they have in the BVIs, but for instance in the Bahamas a monthly unlimited data plan is around $40 using a local droid phone set to share the connection with any device. That's what we use so that charter guests can access the Internet. Maybe that s what they do on your charter,
 
Who is the charter company perhaps I can find out.
Pascal and Captain Bill give good advice.
Bill
 
You could probably purchase a DeLorme iNReach SE unit for a few hundred and text using any i-Phone or Pad. When your done the charter it might be a nice addition for your own vessel. It would also allow anyone back home to track your BB charter.
It's just a thought....
http://inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreachse.php
Bill
 
Thanks so much for all the suggestions and help with this. The charter company is TMM in Roadtown...Billylll if you'd like to contact them that would be great. I'm not sure how the access point is setup. We are interested in something for our own boat so will check out the DeLorme as well. The people I'm most concerned with being able to access both have iphones so it sounds like imessage would be the way to go depending on the access point connection.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

iMessage uses wifi but it will only work with people using iOS devices

Click to expand...


...and OSX. Macs have iMessage capability as well, but it's highly likely that anyone with a Mac also has at least one iOS device anyway.

Remember that iMessages are sent in blue. SMS are green, so if you go through your text messages, the people you chat with in green will be the ones you need to make accommodations for when you only have WiFi access.
 
My guess is no bareboat charter boat is going to have a Fleet up and running during the time of a charter. Way to problematic. It is probably something like a Wave WiFi that just will allow you to hook up to an hot spot when you can.
 
I contacted the charter company and this is what they provide on the boat....so I think we're all set. Probably should have thought to ask them first but appreciate everyone's input

1) WIFI Modem
Your 4G WIFI service is provided via modem which plugs into a regular U.S. outlet on your yacht. You will receive the unit, password, and instructions upon arrival. Up to 10 individuals can be online simultaneously. Since the service connects via cell towers located throughout the islands, the on-board internet can be slow or spotty depending on your yacht’s location - - so patience on your part will be key! TMM WIFI service is offered completely free of any data charges.

2) Prepaid Cell Phone
TMM will provide a cell phone for the duration of your charter at a flat rate of $10.00. This is a pay-as-you-go service that allows you to make and receive calls at a favorable rate. Your phone will have a minimum of $10.00 credit on it when you receive it. You will receive complete instructions on its use upon arrival.

If you require additional credit while out on charter you can top up your balance wherever you see a Digicel top-up sign. These are located ashore throughout the islands. Or, you may call the TMM base (free call) and we will add credit to your phone remotely and charge you when you return to base. A text message will automatically be sent to your phone when a cell phone top-up has occurred informing you of the amount that has been added to your account. Please note cell phone top-up payments are non-refundable.

All calls you make on your TMM cell phone to the TMM base office or “help” hot line are free-of-charge. Anyone calling your BVI cell phone from home will be charged at the international rate per minute per that person’s particular phone plan. Your TMM phone will not be charged anything for accepting these incoming calls.

PER MINUTE RATES:
On Net (Digicel to Digicel or Digicel fixed) 18 cents
Off Net (Digicel to other operator) 35c
Local text messages 10c
International text messages 20c
MMS message 30c
Incoming calls from any location Free
Voicemail retrieval Free

INTERNATIONAL RATES: PEAK OFF-PEAK
USVI 18c 16c
USA, Puerto Rico, Canada, UK, Ireland 25c 20c
Rest of World 45c 40c

PEAK TIMES ARE MONDAY – SUNDAY 6AM- 8PM OFF-PEAK TIMES ARE MONDAY – SUNDAY 8PM – 6AM
 
I contacted the charter company and this is what they provide on the boat....so I think we're all set. Probably should have thought to ask them first but appreciate everyone's input

1) WIFI Modem
Your 4G WIFI service is provided via modem which plugs into a regular U.S. outlet on your yacht. You will receive the unit, password, and instructions upon arrival. Up to 10 individuals can be online simultaneously. Since the service connects via cell towers located throughout the islands, the on-board internet can be slow or spotty depending on your yacht’s location - - so patience on your part will be key! TMM WIFI service is offered completely free of any data charges.

2) Prepaid Cell Phone
TMM will provide a cell phone for the duration of your charter at a flat rate of $10.00. This is a pay-as-you-go service that allows you to make and receive calls at a favorable rate. Your phone will have a minimum of $10.00 credit on it when you receive it. You will receive complete instructions on its use upon arrival.

If you require additional credit while out on charter you can top up your balance wherever you see a Digicel top-up sign. These are located ashore throughout the islands. Or, you may call the TMM base (free call) and we will add credit to your phone remotely and charge you when you return to base. A text message will automatically be sent to your phone when a cell phone top-up has occurred informing you of the amount that has been added to your account. Please note cell phone top-up payments are non-refundable.

All calls you make on your TMM cell phone to the TMM base office or “help” hot line are free-of-charge. Anyone calling your BVI cell phone from home will be charged at the international rate per minute per that person’s particular phone plan. Your TMM phone will not be charged anything for accepting these incoming calls.

PER MINUTE RATES:
On Net (Digicel to Digicel or Digicel fixed) 18 cents
Off Net (Digicel to other operator) 35c
Local text messages 10c
International text messages 20c
MMS message 30c
Incoming calls from any location Free
Voicemail retrieval Free

INTERNATIONAL RATES: PEAK OFF-PEAK
USVI 18c 16c
USA, Puerto Rico, Canada, UK, Ireland 25c 20c
Rest of World 45c 40c

PEAK TIMES ARE MONDAY – SUNDAY 6AM- 8PM OFF-PEAK TIMES ARE MONDAY – SUNDAY 8PM – 6AM
 
Nice touch... Pretty much like using a prepaid BTC hone with data and access point in the Bahamas.
 
This is all good information. I think it's a pretty good deal overall.
Bill
 
From what I hear from the board's BVI users is that the WiFi service is extremely slow. I'm pretty sure their voice service is good. I do know that what they call 4G is anything but 4G.
However with that being said this charter operation seems to have the marketing proper, they aren't making much but they provide WiFi and a cell booster that works on the local network in BVI. I think it's a nice touch.
Bill
 
Thanks everyone....we're pretty excited about our first time chartering in BVI and appreciate the help from the forum.

Alan and Brenda
 
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