Broadband onboard a small launch (Marlborough Sounds)

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Broadband onboard a small launch (Marlborough Sounds)

OrphanAnnie

40 posts

Geek

#70364 22-Oct-2010 15:19

Is this currently possible at a reasonable cost?

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#394786 22-Oct-2010 15:28

It's entirely possible but will have some coverage limitations. It just depends if you consider the data costs from Vodafone or Telecom to be "reasonable" or not.

GoodSync

GoodSync. Easily back up and sync your files with GoodSync. Simple and secure file backup and synchronisation software will ensure that your files are never lost (affiliate link).

OrphanAnnie

40 posts

Geek

#394792 22-Oct-2010 15:38

Thanks for your reply sbiddle.

I am a bit of a novice in this area so I am not exactly sure where I should be looking. Are you referring to a Satellite Broadband service and are you able to provide links please? I have no idea of what hardware is required and I am not with either provider so I have no idea of costs.

l43a2

1779 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#394823 22-Oct-2010 16:57

hes talking about mobile broadband, check http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/ournetwork/coverage to see if your location is within telecoms coverage area

http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/mobilebroadband for plans an such

OrphanAnnie

40 posts

Geek

#394824 22-Oct-2010 17:07

Ah, thank you very much l43a2. That's exactly what I wanted to know.

l43a2

1779 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#394826 22-Oct-2010 17:08

OrphanAnnie: Ah, thank you very much l43a2. That's exactly what I wanted to know.

i better give you vodafones stuff too.

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/mobile-broadband/coverage.jsp
http://www.vodafone.co.nz/mobile-broadband/which-plan-is-right.jsp

OrphanAnnie

40 posts

Geek

#394827 22-Oct-2010 17:10

Excellent. Thank you.

John2010

532 posts

Ultimate Geek

#394925 22-Oct-2010 23:55

I can only speak from experience with Vodafone but their coverage maps are very accurate (and detailed) for the Marlborough Sounds and Cook Strait coast for a handheld phone. I find that all is fairly well covered but some popular anchorages such as Ship Cove are not; if there we hop out to South end of Motuara Island which is covered if we need to - that by way of example. As shown on the maps in some anchorages just moving a short distance will put you into coverage (look at Punt Rail/Hikoekoea Bay area in Guards Bay, for example) - the maps seem that reliable in general in my experience.
The size of data plan you need, and hence cost, will depend on how much browsing you want to do but as long as one doesn't get into downloading or uploading stuff (including attachments with emails) allowing for 10MByte/day should give you enough for getting weather from Metservice, a bit of browsing and emails and at least get one going until get to know ones actual usage needs. If sending photos of the big fish or the spouse falling in then shrink them using one of the many tools around for that before sending them.
I find that I get through far less data on the boat than at home and find it very hard to burn up 1GB in 3 weeks on the boat whereas can easily burn that up in less than a day at home.
Plenty here can advise better than me on the variety of phones but unless using one of the USB sticks stuck into a PC you need a 3G or better phone so up for maybe $250 at least if one not owned already, whereas the sticks are cheaper (or often free with an on account plan). You can browse and do email on the phone (very, very tiresome with small screen and compromised keypad in my view) or else use the phone as a modem for a PC, which is what I do, connected by bluetooth or USB cable. Personally, I would recommend a phone rather than a stick in a PC on a boat as using bluetooth one can stick the phone in one part of the boat where reception is best but still have the PC at the nav station or wherever one likes to sit.
In the unlikely event your boat is steel/aluminium or ferro cement be aware that you will find the phone won't work so well inside the boat unless you have some windows facing the cell site to stick it in.
An expensive way to go is with a fixed cellular terminal which gives you options of using normal telephone receivers (so gives some privacy), fax's, etc and allows use of an external antenna. I also use one of those but I anticipate you are maybe not that keen - around $1,000 plus'ish.

OrphanAnnie

40 posts

Geek

#394993 23-Oct-2010 11:56

That's very helpful, thank you John2010. Like you, I find small screens very frustrating and was considering one of the T stick plans however I will give some serious thought to your suggestion of purchasing a 3G phone and using it as a modem instead. Is this option any more expensive than using a T stick?

michaelmurfy

meow
13193 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#394995 23-Oct-2010 12:07

OrphanAnnie: That's very helpful, thank you John2010. Like you, I find small screens very frustrating and was considering one of the T stick plans however I will give some serious thought to your suggestion of purchasing a 3G phone and using it as a modem instead. Is this option any more expensive than using a T stick?

I have always found Vodafone have had better coverage around there than Telecom (Last been out there about 6mo ago) - This might have changed now though.

If you pop into Electronic Solutions in Nelson they will be able to give you a quote of putting a booster on your launch so that way you will be able to get better signal around and about using your Vodem device, you might want to talk to a staff member in one of the stores regarding this too. If you are in the Nelson Region go to the Richmond Mall on a weekday and ask to speak with Nigel, he will point you in the right step with getting the best coverage possible since the Richmond Store deals with these kinda installs quite a bit.

Tell him I sent you there, I am sure he will be surprised :P - But I can assure you that if you deal with Nigel you will get the best possible service and I am sure you will be a happy customer with the outcome.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

John2010

532 posts

Ultimate Geek

#395016 23-Oct-2010 14:12

OrphanAnnie: ...purchasing a 3G phone and using it as a modem instead. Is this option any more expensive than using a T stick?

I haven't checked but I am pretty sure that the cost for data is the same, so just the initial cost of the phone is higher. On looking around a bit I see one can get 3G phones cheaper than I suggested.

Regarding "boosters" - Personally with a modern digital phone I have not found anything other than a normal handset to ever be necessary anywhere around the Tasman Bay, Marlborough Sounds, Cook Strait, Wellington region as frequented by small pleasure vessels so would steer away from "boosters" myself. I would suggest you try without one to start with unless money is of no concern, or before splashing out on one I would personally check what other normal handset users on local boats have to say about their experiences insofar as coverage is concerned.

OrphanAnnie

40 posts

Geek

#395030 23-Oct-2010 15:24

Cost is an factor so I would probably try without a booster to begin with but it's nice to know that option is available.

Thank you both very much.