Internet while cruising

1. Use your mobile phone as a modem.

• GSM phone. These are the most commonly used phones. Most handsets can be used with a service called GPRS. It is slow (usually like an old 28kb modem) and expensive (over $20 per MByte on casual plans)
• CDMA phone. Often used on boats because of their superior performance offshore. Most handsets can be used as a modem with Telstra's 1xRTT service which is terrific (up to twice as fast as a conventional 56 kb modem). As mentioned, Telstra will be discontinuing the service in 2008 and will offer users free handset upgrade to their new 3G service (see below). Unfortunately, Telstra Mobile will also charge as much as $20 per Mb for access. Too expensive for anything other than very occasional usage.
• 3G phone. This is where it gets messy. All the Australian operators now offer 3G phones which can work as high speed modems when connect to a computer. And the charges are quite reasonable ($0.30 per Mbyte). But NONE of the current networks have coverage outside the major population centres and even there, long distance operation is poor. Telstra's announced but not yet available 3G network promises to solve that by using the CDMA radio spectrum, but it is incompatible with the other networks and handsets are not available yet. Grr...
• Conclusion: With either expensive or inadequate coverage, your phone is not an effective way to currently get internet access. Telstra is playing games making CDMA 1xRTT access more expensive on their phones than on the modems (see below). This might change in 2007.

2. Buy a dedicated wireless broadband modem

• Telstra Mobile, back to where we started. The Minimax modem on CDMA. A terrific performer. High speed EVDO service in major population centres like Sydney, Newcastle, Gold Coast etc. True broadband speed  on board around Pittwater/Sydney and reasonable performance 1xRTT just about anywhere up and down the coast. Telstra have change the available plans since I joined. The new plans are different and high usage customers now need to buy 5 units to get to the best deal. the 24 month plan and $500 modem are unattractive.
• BigPond Wireless. Bigpond sell basically the same CDMA based service rebadged as BigPond Wireless. It works with a PC Card that works with most laptop computers. Currently (May 2006)  Bigpond is running ads, offering a half price 12 month deal  with a $129 rebate on the first bill. (Tip: If you're going to spend a lot of time away from population centres, get a data rather a time based plan) Just like the MiniMax modem, it features high speed EV-DO service around town, 1xRTT service anywhere else. Anyone going North this winter should seriously consider getting this, even if it is obsoleted next year with a better service. It is more convenient than an internet cafe and cheaper than marina wireless (not as fast outside metro areas, but for casual use quite acceptable).
• Recommendation. Join the Bigpond plan and get $200Mbyte  for $25 (half the usual $49.95), less than the price of a decent bottle of wine at the club [!].[UPDATE: Check my comment  below - Telstra now requires you to sign up for 24 months under this plan with special pricing for only 12 months. This is an area where plans and technologies are changing rapidly - I have therefore created this page on the Skipr.net site in an attempt to keep up with options for coastal cruising.]

If you have any questions, please leave a comment, or just give me a call on (0411) 248 617. By the way, I am not connected with any phone or internet service provider. This represents my personal opinions. Please check the fine print on any deal.