They don't seem to list the data speeds. I'd be concerned about that.

I was sending data over Iridiums when they first came out. The data rate was v..e...r.....y slow and the extra airtime to send data made it very costly. That was about fifteen years ago. I am sure things are better now but if you want to do more than send and receive SMS and compressed email messages you might want to inquire about the data-rate.

Larry,

I am not familiar with this particular model.

But, I have enquired about their previous offering of their sat internet connections, and the prices wee ridiculously high.

I went to their website, and they do not state any data rate at all.

This would lead me to believe it is not that high, especially that they mention their charges are per minute, rather than per MB of data.

I think if you wish to have reliable Internet connection, you might have to get a dedicated sat modem.

Our average cost per day for the past couple of safaris has been about US$200 for data.

But, despite the fact that I am the heaviest user data wise, we several people using laptops, ipads and iphone throughout the day for both browsing and email.

It may be more trouble than it is worth. I want to be able to send a few e mails and pictures.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
It may be more trouble than it is worth. I want to be able to send a few e mails and pictures.

"Sometimes you need to unplug man" - Matrix

Funny, being away from the internet is how I define being on vacation now.

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:
Funny, being away from the internet is how I define being on vacation now.

And how are we going to keep you all laughing with our Live Reports?

I think a live helmet camera connected to wifi on Walter would sell a lot of tickets...

A bit like pay-per-view of WWF....

used the began system in Mongolia, worked well. Used the more permanent ones in various places.

Cheers, Chris

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
I think a live helmet camera connected to wifi on Walter would sell a lot of tickets...

A bit like pay-per-view of WWF....

Yeah, but Walter is the most unreliable person I know when it comes to electronics.

He normally has about half a dozen cameras, he just forgets that they for taking photos.

This product may not be available yet. My assistant checked with Explorer Satllite. They did not have it yet.

Saeed : what are you guys using now to send those awesome reports?

Seems like a cool product.

I cannot figure out why some outfitters have an aversion to having wifi in camp.

I have heard all the excuses - change the atmosphere, all hunters on wifi, staff on wifi ect.

I think just having wifi or internet access for 10 minutes allows one to check work email and get a quick update on the world.

A translator in Burkina had access to internet via a usb card. He was the most popular guy in camp. He was the most deserving of the tip - as he let me access the internet on his dime. That was cool of him.

Mike

Larry,

Few years ago Pierre used satellite in the Selous years ago. Used it for the first live safari blog. Was for email to children. But I would assume speed has improved greatly.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
Seems like a cool product.

I cannot figure out why some outfitters have an aversion to having wifi in camp.

I have heard all the excuses - change the atmosphere, all hunters on wifi, staff on wifi ect.

I think just having wifi or internet access for 10 minutes allows one to check work email and get a quick update on the world.

A translator in Burkina had access to internet via a usb card. He was the most popular guy in camp. He was the most deserving of the tip - as he let me access the internet on his dime. That was cool of him.

Mike

Mike,

I would guess they do not use it because of its expense.

The modem costs several thousand dollars.
You have to have a contract to get relatively cheap rates - which are STILL very expensive.

You can use scratch cards, but their costs for data is much higher than a contract.

Our usage has been about $200 a day just for data. That is not talking into consideration the cost of the modem, and the contract.

If that is taken into consideration, the cost would be over $600 a day.

connection time is not charged, but you are charged by the data you use.

And with todays web content, it can be very expensive.

checked options a year or so ago, the BGAN system is not too bad.