World Wide WiFi/MiFi

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Capt. Bill1

Active member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
RO Number
2017
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http://gizmodo.com/this-little-mi-fi-can-get-you-online-anywhere-in-the-wo-1515824524 Interesting. But the speeds are slow.
 
This devices offers sub par data speeds 2 to 2.8kbps (not mbps) and the airtime is very expensive. There is also no such thing as complete coverage of the Earth when it comes to Sat's for consumer use.
Bill
 
Good Lord, 2.8Kbps? And I thought the 9.9Kbps I get with Globastar satellite was slow! Granted, Globalstar pretty good compression software that simulates 28.8Kbps, but sharing that over Wi-Fi? What a stupid idea. That's not a "hot-spot, it's a "slow-spot"!
 
It's mainly for messaging and e-mail without attachments. There are also WX maps that can be downloaded. The data speed is pretty slow but there are many places in the world where without this device or another VSAT product you would have no connection to the outside world.
KVH in my opinion really screwed the pouch when they originally sold the fleet broadband products and touted low costs monthly plans. Within a year INMARSAT who provides the fleet broadband service took the low tier user rates and put them in nose bleed territory.
Then KVH came out with their latest data product and service the rates are low, speeds are really good for VSAT (3-5 mbps) but the equipment cost starts at $16,000.00.
I have a Skipper 150 (same as the KVH FB-150) I'd be willing to sell just beware the monthly costs start at $100.00.
Data speeds are 100-120kbps with a Fleet 150 sized dome/ product.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

Good Lord, 2.8Kbps? And I thought the 9.9Kbps I get with Globastar satellite was slow! Granted, Globalstar pretty good compression software that simulates 28.8Kbps, but sharing that over Wi-Fi? What a stupid idea. That's not a "hot-spot, it's a "slow-spot"!

Click to expand...

Kurt if you use the WiFi to share files between devices but don't use the sat data the speed would be like using normal WiFi.
The unit I posted below allows you to use the WiFi for local VOIP intercom calls (limited to 4 devices) without using sat airtime.
Bill
 
Bill,

I wasn't referring to using the device just on the LAN side. Of course any router could do that without the need for WAN connectivity. I was referring to the more common practice of sharing WAN access via a hotspot as that, to me, is how these devices are being marketed. You're probably the only person in the world with a boat under 80 feet that has a VOIP intercom system :-)

"The Iridium GO! creates a Wi-Fi network anywhere, and allows you to connect up to five devices at once for little things such as making an emergency phone call, emailing the embassy, or downloading a map to keep from dying."
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

Bill,

I wasn't referring to using the device just on the LAN side. Of course any router could do that without the need for WAN connectivity. I was referring to the more common practice of sharing WAN access via a hotspot as that, to me, is how these devices are being marketed. You're probably the only person in the world with a boat under 80 feet that has a VOIP intercom system :-)

Click to expand...

I do have a VOIP intercom but I'm not using the device I posted above.
There were lots of new products at the Miami show. Many revolve around WiFi or using WiFi in one form or another.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

http://gizmodo.com/this-little-mi-fi-can-get-you-online-anywhere-in-the-wo-1515824524

Click to expand...


Don't get me wrong, that is a cool device. I just think the article, while mentioning how slow it is, over states what the device can do. I have used my satellite phone, with compression software, to send and receive text-only email and bring in text-only weather data. With this device I would expect real world usage to be limited to sms/text messages and phone calls. Two very, very good things to have and the posted pricing seems reasonable. But for the article to even hint at uploading a photo is a bit of a stretch unless on an unlimited data plan and having about 4-6 hours to spare. :-)
 
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