Mobile Phone 4G At Sea? Transatlantic Dec 2019

[cccmmmm]

I understand that the Cunard wifi options are slow and expensive, so I assumed we'd be out of touch with the world whilst crossing the Atlantic next month.  

 

However, I've been googling and it seems there is a possibility that there's a phone signal at sea?  Something to do with Telenor.  I'm on O2 business contract in the UK if that makes any difference, with international roaming enabled.  

 

If anybody could shed any light, I'd be grateful - last time I crossed the Atlantic by sea, mobile phones didn't exist!!

[BigMac1953]

You must use the Maritime Network at a cost of £2.40 per minute to send and £1.80 per minute to receive.

 

The internet, when crossing the Pond, is surprisingly good.

 

I would switch off the phone and use it for emergencies only.

[cccmmmm]

3 minutes ago, BigMac1953 said:

You must use the Maritime Network at a cost of £2.40 per minute to send and £1.80 per minute to receive.

 

The internet, when crossing the Pond, is surprisingly good.

 

I would switch off the phone and use it for emergencies only.

Thank you for your reply.

 

Does one's phone connect automatically to this Maritime Network, in the same way it will connect when you are abroad if you have Data Roaming enabled?  And then the charges get added to your bill from your phone provider?

 

 

 

[BigMac1953]

Yes. It will find the network and some poor souls use it without realising.

 

Best just to use email which is fine if used "off peak". I use it for business every day when at sea and if you log on before the masses rise, it's fine and pretty quick.

 

I usually get up around 7:00 am and spend the first hour on my computer.

 

Luckily we're Diamond, so get 8 hours each free internet.

[Host Hattie]

Yes, your phone will connect automatically. Vodafone doesn't allow data for personal customers which is handy but if your network does you will need to make sure data roaming is turned off.

[Glenndale]

The last maritime data message I received in October, data was £9.20 per MB, calls £2.80 per min and texts 87p each. 

I always make sure roaming is off.

 

[Underwatr]

1 hour ago, Glenndale said:

£9.20 per MB

 

😮

 

A smartphone can send/receive a megabyte of data in approximately zero time.

[ZZRLAD]

My bill is paid for by the business. But that's doesnt mean its an open cheque.

 

So I make sure data roaming is switched off but that phone calls or texts are enabled with the maritime network. 

 

But when we have a few consecutive sea days then allow data roaming every other day just for work related emails. That ensures costs are not excessive.