I purchased a small gateway from my Wifi ISP in Baltimore and it has a real
antenna as well as uses twice the power (still legal) of the normal laptop
units. I've been able to get a usable service from 2-3 miles. I'm using it
at the moment (somewhat closer) and the Google ping time is 37 ms.

As a backup I've got the ATT cellular wireless card - it certainly isn't the
fastest thing around 150kb. However, I've been able to check email when I'm
10-15 miles from shore.

Things have really improved over the last several years. I also find it
amazing at how inexpensive things have become Wifi is $25 per month and
the cellular is $80 for unlimited bytes.

Dave


"RG" wrote in message
m...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 19 Jun 2006 13:50:12 -0700, "Dene" wrote:

Sprint offers broadband service, useful anywhere within their cell phone
service range, for $79.99. $59.99/mo. if you already are a customer. I
intend to subscribe when we move, using it for home, business, and marine
applications.

Yes, I have internet access through my Sprint phone but it is too slow
(400 msec ping latency) to support a virtual desk top environment.

It is fine for casual web browsing and EMAIL however.

How is your ping time to something like google.com ?


Wayne:

I subscribe to Verizon's Broadband Access service, using an air card with
my notebook. I've run numerous speed tests with it. If I'm a
metropolitan area, I'll usually be in range of Verizon's EVDO signal,
which delivers download speeds in the range of 750-850 kilobits per
second. Not exactly the 2000-3000 kilobits per second that I get from my
cable modem, but quite usable when I'm out and about. While I'm out on
the boat I only have a 1xRTT signal, which results in speeds of about
150-170 kilobits per second. A bit tedious to be sure, but much better
than the days of dial-up, which was never available on the boat to begin
with, and I'm damn glad to have it while on the water. I just pinged
google.com using the air card with an EVDO signal, and the ping time
averaged 207 ms (193, 216, 189, 230). My cable modem averaged 80 ms.

The original post asked about wi-fi offshore, but that is simply a pipe
dream. Wi-fi would only be appropriate in a marina setting, assuming the
marina was set up for wi-fi. Anywhere else, including offshore, one of
the cellular broadband services is your best bet, short of a broadband
satellite service.