3G wireless network on STX?

They don't

I was afraid of that. Thanks for the input.

Bernie

I have the iPhone on STX. The internet connection is definetely not as fast as in locations that have 3G, however, the connection is ample.

my question is more around data download--using the wireless broadband card for my laptop. Would the download speeds be sufficient?

If you have a decent connection it's pretty good for basic web browsing. You won't want to stream video or move really big files (>10MB)around with this connection though.

At the most, I'd be sending and receiving 1MB or 2MB files--Powerpoints--so it sounds like it should be OK. Thanks to all for the input.

Bernie

bathiel,
I was shopping options a couple of months ago, and the rep at the ATT store suggested I would not be happy with the wireless card. She said it was too slow.

If I remember correctly, she offered to let me try it for 3 days or something like that. You could ask.

Just read your other post and realized you probably already have the ATT 3G. Depending on where you are, it will probably be OK for a few months, unless you need it for business.

I actually do need it for business. We're staying in a condo at the Reef and the owner told us she has the AT&T wireless card and it was adequate--and certainly better than going through the effort of getting web access through cable/satellite for four months. But not having used it yet, I'm still a little wary that it might hurt our productivity.

Bernie

It might vary with your phone but I have a 'SmartPhone' (don't ask me it's IQ because you wouldn't like my answer) and I don't need a wireless card. All I do is connect the USB cable from my phone to my laptop and activate the internet sharing program to surf on the laptop. The key of course is having a decent phone signal to start with but otherwise it works fine in a pinch. What I don't know is what type of signal you would get at the Reef.

AT&T is planning on rolling out 3G service on STX this year. They even advertised I-Phones in the local paper recently. It is no big deal for AT&T as they have been offering 3G in Puerto Rico for quite awhile and Puerto Rico runs the systems in the VI.

Haven't talked to their system engineer in the last couple of months so 3G could even be available now.

Jim

I thought I saw a mention of that recently, but the notice I saw wasn't clear if 3G was coming to STX or not. I'm glad to hear it is--that will help tremendously. Thanks, again, to all for your posts.

Bernie

bathiel... I have an ATT Tilt phone (a high end PDA phone that's sweet) with a wireless connection.
As others have said, the browsing is S L O W. And getting media to play on it is not recommended here (or most places for that matter, 3G is still not widely available and speeds are often not as fast as advertised - as many in the States have learned the hard way).

The difference in people's experience might be related to a couple of things:

1. The speed of their actual phone. Like computers, not all phones have the same capabilities.
2. A laptop with a wireless card would undoubtedly be much faster than an iphone or my tilt. -due to Its faster processor, harddrive and RAM.
3. The variable nature of bandwidth and download speeds. From about 2 to 8 pm when all the kids and adults start using the network in earnest, the bandwidth can die.
4. Perception. When I first got here, I met people who just used a card to do email and they said their "speed was fine." I met a guy who's very happy with his dial up. So not everyone understands your need for speed.
5. The sites they like to visit. Most sites are NOT optimized for phone browsing. But most PDA browsers come with built in shortcuts to sites that ARE optimized (weather, news, etc). So they're perception of 'speed' depends on what sites they visit.
6. Download or Upload. Downloading might be ok, but upload speeds are even slower on a PDA.

I work over the internet and send large files sometimes. I couldn't even put up with Choice's DSL speeds. Had to get Broadbandvi which is great. My phone access to the internet is merely a backup for me here and the occasional noodling.

Hi, Neil:

Thanks for your insights. I also have a Tilt, and used it on my last trip to STX this past February. It seemed to work fine. I don't spend a lot of time web browsing on it, as I use it mainly for--surprise, making and receiving phone calls :)--and email. And I'm not a heavy multimedia user on the web, so I just need access that would be fast enough for me to send and receive email with at most 2MB attachments, as well as browse fairly static web pages.

I've heard of Broadbandvi, but haven't investigated it. Would it be much of a hassle to get a four-month subscription?

Bernie

Bernie you should be able to get a Broadband VI signal at the reef. They have several plans and a pay as you go. I' live on the hill behind the reef and no problem except when it's raining hard.

As an aside I forgot to mention that you can also use Bluetooth connectivity between your Smartphone and your computer for web surfing as well. Of course Bluetooth really tends to suck down a battery so YMMV...

It might vary with your phone but I have a 'SmartPhone' (don't ask me it's IQ because you wouldn't like my answer) and I don't need a wireless card. All I do is connect the USB cable from my phone to my laptop and activate the internet sharing program to surf on the laptop. The key of course is having a decent phone signal to start with but otherwise it works fine in a pinch. What I don't know is what type of signal you would get at the Reef.

Great news, Bombi, thanks. I'll be ringing them up soon to see what we can do.

Bernie

Read the Sunday Oct 12th Avis. AT&T is rolling out I-Phones with 3G service at the end of this week in the VI. Will have them in their stores.

Jim

Jeez, JD. Every time I see your screen name, the Black Oak Arkansas song screams through my brain. (Sorry Trade, at least it isn't THAT song!!;) ) Does this mean that my AT&T Tilt is going to finally have 3G, you think??

GO JIM DANDY, GO JIM DANDY!!
😛

I stopped by the AT&T store on Sunday to see about an I-Phone. While they will be selling I-Phones this week the 3-G network is still on a schedule to be completed by year end 2008.

Jim

We were able to pick up wireless service at the reef last year that you pay for by the month and we were able to stream movies with it.
Jim is that still an available service around the island? Might be a good option for Bernie.
Also is netflix allowing the streaming movies on STX yet?
D

Broadband VI offers a daily, hourly or perhaps weekly service for short term visitors. You don't use a dedicated radio mounted on the roof, but instead use just the WiFi card in your computer. Works if you are close to one of their access points.

Netflix is still blocked from offering video downloads to the VI. Same for Amazon. When companies sell the digital rights they only include the 50 states in the USA. Same for TV networks. The first round of the MLB were not available in the VI. Choice did show a few games, but then they got caught had had to black out the rest of the first round of play offs. Innovative had none.

Jim