Internet Questions

I don't play games on the net, but I do watch live tv on it (hockey) and it's plenty fast enough if you have broadbandvi -even their basic level package.

We have a 360 and I used to play WoW. We have innovative dsl and use a router for downstairs and up and works great throughout the house. Although we seem to go through routers fast. We just recently upgraded one step up from the base dsl. The only trouble I had with WoW and our 360 have not been internet service related but rather router and computer problems. Innovative dsl is slower then stateside dsl, but the others will not work well where I live at all.

I take that back about the 360, sometimes my husband had trouble with the internet speed on the 360 if too many people are on the internet at home or I'm downloading alot of stuff.

I use broadband at work and it seems to be the same speed as my innovative dsl. So give broadband a shot if you're in a good area for it. Be careful though, they told me I was in a great area for it and took my $200 for setup and it was horrible.

For $99 you should be getting pretty decent service, even here.

I just got the 1mb Innovative plan and so far I'm really happy with it. I watched the Redskins game via a friends Slingbox in DC today without a hiccup! I am truly getting 1meg down and 1meg up on a sustained and consistent basis, and ping times seem pretty reasonable as well. I played some Mario Kart Wii on it and it was fine.

The only problem with Innovative is that if your line is cut you will be down for many weeks. When they turned on my DSL they inadvertantly wired my line to my basement apartment's jack (a completely separate line that's not even hooked up). It took them 3 weeks to come out here and sort it out, and I think I'm rather lucky with that response time.

Broadband VI is excellent as well. If I could get them where I live I would go with them. The only thing is that their routers can cause some issues, at the office we got them to take us out from behind their routers and our problems went away.

Choice used to be great but I don't think the have the bandwidth anymore to support what they've sold.

On STX you really need to try different providers at your location to see which one works for you. If you already have a phone line, and since you moved I'd give Innovative another shot, as for $69.99 per month you can get 1meg service which isn't bad.

Sean

I use Broadband VI to watch DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket on a laptop (that I then connect to the TV via HDMI.) Works fine with no real problem. So good in fact that I can use my wireless connection to stream most of the time (get 2-3 small hiccups per game which last 3-5 seconds each.)

I wish not to start a new post. Wondering if i can get some answers here. I am moving to STT soon. Will it help to bring along a cable modem router and if so any specific type/model? Thanks

Probably not as the providers typically only support certain model cable modems.  And BBVI doesn't use cable.  You can certainly use any router you want past the modem.

@tuk-tuk

If you already have your address try and get on the wait-list for StarLink! Once live will blow internet away in the islands!!

 Starlink does not support the address yet. Thank you for the heads up on that.

I just want to eliminate monthly modem rental fees to the provider if it can be avoided. Just need a good service provider for medium internet use. Thank you.

@tuk-tuk

Double check a previous thread about that as I had the same issue. A couple of people on here explained how to manually put the address in which worked for them. 

Posted by: @tuk-tuk

 Starlink does not support the address yet. Thank you for the heads up on that.

I just want to eliminate monthly modem rental fees to the provider if it can be avoided. Just need a good service provider for medium internet use. Thank you.

Starlink does support addresses here in the VI. You just have to use the "Plus Code" option.

Thanks, just used the Plus Code to sign-up.

An interesting review of StarLink:

https://www.theverge.com/22435030/starlink-satellite-internet-spacex-review

@rewired

I read that article and laughed. Starlink is still very much in beta with hundreds more satellites to launch before the build out is complete. Yet, the vast majority of reviews by beta users are overwhelmingly positive.

Once complete and available here, I predict that it will be the market leader in the Virgin Islands, unless the local companies significantly reduce price and increase speeds.

That said, I do love BBVI...they are the best at the moment. I wouldn't even consider using VIYA under any circumstances.

@vicanuck

Agreed!

There are a couple things I noted as possibly an issue for us.

First, it needs a lot of open sky, so people with trees might want to start thinking about how to achieve that (the link to the beta user's group really does have some funny and creative solutions).

Second, the 100 watt power usage may be a consideration for those with solar who may be at the limit of their solar capacity. This would use about 2.4 kwh per day or about 75 kwh per month (about $30/month if you're on WAPA).

Last, the permanently connected cable could be an issue depending on how it's installed. When you get into the program, it would probably be a good idea to add a safety loop and strain relief where the dish is installed so you don't have to spend another $499 to replace it. (If it happens to me, I'll probably take it apart to see if it's possible to repair...).

@jaldeborgh    It would be interesting to see what you think, we are on Viya here but live in a very remote location stateside and after watching a couple of neighbors use Starlink this spring we will likely soon take the plunge as well.    Now if I can just figure out how to have one account span two locations...

(;->

https://viconsortium.com/vi-technology/virgin-islands-new-federal-program-offering-50-internet-service

Posted by: @Darkmuse

@jaldeborgh    It would be interesting to see what you think, we are on Viya here but live in a very remote location stateside and after watching a couple of neighbors use Starlink this spring we will likely soon take the plunge as well.    Now if I can just figure out how to have one account span two locations...

 

(;->

StarLink is targeted at the markets not served by the major players, Elon Musk has said this repeatedly.  This still leaves an enormous global opportunity for the company.  What’s important is the technology, which is very advanced by today’s standards, works and equally as important the business model appears to work.  The satellites cost about $300K each and are being deployed by SpaceX, I believe they launched 50 more satellites within the last couple of days (as a fraction of a single rockets payload).  The satellites are also designed to safely crash themselves when they reach end of life with only about 5% of the satellite actually reaching earth (so 95% burns up during re-entry), they have set a design goal of 100% of the satellite burning up on re-entry (which is very cool).  So StarLink isn’t for everyone, remember data is a commodity and most delivery systems offer roughly equal reliability.  Personally, I’ve signed up for StarLink but I am just buying a slot for my $99.00, I’ll decide if I switch when the time comes as it’s ultimately about value for money.  No question StarLink is very cool technology, but that and $5.00 will buy you a cup of coffee as in the final analysis data is data.  I currently use BBVI’s mid-priced consumer product and get 25mbps downloads and 6mbps uploads.  This seems adequate for our purposes, we have friends who pay $20 more a month and they are seeing 50mbps downloads and 12mbps uploads, so we have headroom if needed.  We don’t play online games or stream 4K movies, haven’t actually turned the TV on in 6 months (we don’t have a cable/satellite TV subscription).

We just bought our first TV on the island as our beloved Futbol season is coming to an end and we couldn't bear to miss the finals, but yes...  not much time spent here on the TV.   

Interesting side note, I was camping in Montana a couple weeks ago and sitting out by a fire one evening when a literal "string of pearls" came over the horizon, dozens of them in single file far brighter than a normal satellite.  (I later learned that they had just been launched).

I thought it was pretty darn cool but the old timer next to me just sighed and said, "that is so wrong..."

(;->

Posted by: @Darkmuse

I was camping in Montana a couple weeks ago

Our middle daughter and her fiancé moved to Bozeman about 9 months ago and love it.....to cold for me but we’re going to visit her in June for a week. 

@jaldeborgh

Bozeman is a Fantastic town, if she can embrace winter then they will love it there!  Enjoy the visit, We'll be back up in the Darby area W of you for a couple weeks mid June, then we will spend the summer hiking in the Tetons before we return in Sept for a 4 month stay.

 Small world.  

Travel Safe!

We just received an email from Starlink that indicates they expect to have service available in the VI in 2023.

Supply chain issues have delayed production of the updated receivers.

Those who have signed up should receive something similar soon.

If you haven't already set up an account password, you may have to go back through your emails to find the one that invites you to set up an account and click the link to get a new password link sent to you.

no game playing-other than things like words with friends. but do stream and it is 99% of the time good for that 

FYI: Starlink is now available in the VI & PR. Got my email today😊

@xxxrudexxx 

I just confirmed my order as well!

Equipment should ship in next 2 weeks.

Things are getting exciting now!