Internet Connectivity

[Emauss]

FYI -
I have a GSM cellphone (T-Mobile)with GPRS (internet connection). I just got off the phone with TMobile, and I was told that I can add a service for full web access, allowing me to use my phone as a GPRS modem via (special) cable to my laptop...thus giving me full access
to the internet anytime I have a phone signal (well, almost).

The cost for unlimited use in the US is $19.99 (additonal), and in Europe, there is an additional charge of .015 USD per Kbyte. Also,
there is no contract if you already have a Tmobile account...which means that I can use it for my cruise and then eliminate it from the
account when I return.

...Admittedly it is a high price for *real* surfing, but for emails and even reduced size pics, it ain't half bad!

Eric Mauss

[eodunbar]

I have a GSM cellphone (T-Mobile)with GPRS (internet connection). I
just got off the phone with TMobile, and I was told that I can add a
service for full web access, allowing me to use my phone as a GPRS
modem via (special) cable to my laptop...thus giving me full access
to the internet anytime I have a phone signal (well, almost).
> Eric Mauss
=============================================================
Eric
While what you say sounds like a good idea, here is another take.
While at sea, your GSM/GPRS will NOT work. Your only 2 choices are
a Satellite Phone and/or connecting your laptop thru the ship (with
a modem to your cabin phone which TCPs to the Ships satellite
internet system.) At port, your GSM cell will probably work for
speaking but you can still do the above connection just as easily
thru the ship or use a local internet cafe for even cheaper.
Margy

[goeurope]

Just out of curiosity, how far from land does a cell phone normally work? (I imagine it depends on how populated the adjacent shore is and the height of the nearest antenna, but I seem to recall seeing a post on Cruise Critic by someone who used a mobile phone in the English channel.)

--
Durant Imboden
Europeforvisitors.com

[Emauss]

The signal is not actually the cell phone signal. It is a radio signal called GPRS (General Packet Radio Service that is "attached" to my phone account. As to how far out to sea it works, when I took a Canadian cruise (Boston-Quebek-Boston), I had service more often than I would have thought. Certainly within sight of land depending up the relays the country uses and the sensativity of your antenna.

Anyway, as I replied on another board, I am intrigued by this "solution" and will spend the few dollars for the access here. The cost of in-cabin connections is (I belive) $25.00/day *plus* connection time.

Eric