March 26th, 2008
Yes, you can get internet access in the middle of the Gulf of Alaska
I am conducting shipchecks on an Alaskan Marine Highways ferry this week in the Gulf of Alaska with stops in Kodiak, Homer, Seldovia, Whittier, Cordova, and Port Lions. I was afraid I would be completely offline and out of touch, but it turns out that the particular vessel I am on actually has a wireless system for passengers to use just like a hotel. The service costs US$12 per day with discounts for longer periods of usage. Since the vessel operates out in the Gulf of Alaska, the internet service is provided by a satellite service provider (WCC).
I ran a couple of speed tests and am seeing download speeds in the range of 250 kbps with upload speeds about 19 kbps. The download speeds are twice as fast as my EDGE wireless data speeds and are actually just fast enough to be livable for me this week. I was expecting to be completely out of touch so having any access at all is fine with me and the rates are reasonable, compared to a cost generally double this that hotels charge. Thankfully, the weather has also been beautiful and quite calm so I haven’t experienced any seasickness.
I am also getting T-Mobile service (via Cell One) in most ports that we have called upon. AT&T service shows up on my Nokia N95-3 as AT&T service and actually appears to have better and stronger coverage than T-Mobile/Cell One in most ports. I have taken a couple of Qik videos with my N95-3 in port of the surrounding landscape and there is only a short delay before Qik has been posting them live on my Qik site.
Matthew Miller is an avid mobile device enthusiast who works during the day as a professional naval architect in Seattle. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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