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I'm moving down to St John in a few weeks, will be keeping my current job and telecommuting, but am still trying to sort out the best options for internet access. We don't have an apartment lined up or anything yet, and I presume it will take a bit of time to get broadband installed if thats the route I go.
So in the interim, I will still have to get some work done, and I'm looking at getting a wireless broadband card - anyone have any experience with one of these on St John? I think Sprint and ATT say they offer service to the USVI, but I'm a little doubtful of its functionality. I'm wondering if I would run into similar issues as cell phone users do where they are picking up international signals instead of domestic ones.
Or, maybe this isn't the option to go with - if it sounds like its going to be more of a hassle than its worth, I could go the internet cafe/public wifi/mooch off of friendly strangers route, its just all sort of difficult to gauge what will and wont work
Any insights folks have would be appreciated
Matt
MattTheRed at gmail dot com
Posted : October 27, 2008 9:06 pm
At&T will not have 3G networks in the USVI until the end of 2008. Even then on STJ I do0n't know what you will get.
Jim
Posted : October 27, 2008 9:40 pm
Wireless aircards work on STJ, but your success in using them depends on line of sight to the tower. There is no 3G here yet, so your data speeds might not be high enough, depending on your needs.
DSL is more reliable; you'll have to pay a setup fee and then monthly charges for this (mine was $100 setup + $50/mo).
If you're moving here permanently and have $1,200 + ~$100/mo to invest in a satellite dish, that's currently the most reliable access option on STJ.
Wireless hotspot options are also available, but many of them aren't reliable, free, or available before the restaurant/bar opens in the afternoon. You can buy 30 days of fairly reliable wireless service at the Marketplace for $40-something.
As a backup, there are plenty of places to rent time on a computer (Connections, Surf Da Web, and Deli Grotto are three that come to mind immediately).
Posted : October 28, 2008 9:51 am
My ATT card works well, depending on line of sight. The tower in Coral Bay works great on Ajax Peak and Bordeaux Mt., but fades as you approach Lily's. In Cruz Bay it works best when I have line of sight to St. Thomas. South Shore is a black hole.
Cheers, RickG
Posted : October 28, 2008 10:37 am
Topic starter
You can buy 30 days of fairly reliable wireless service at the Marketplace for $40-something.
Ah, that sounds like a better option than trying to finagle a 3G card - any chance you know who the provider is?
Thanks for all of your help everyone
Matt
Posted : October 28, 2008 1:31 pm
It's a local company, ADM Wireless -- http://admwireless.com/locations.html. The wireless signal is pretty strong on most levels of the Marketplace, and I've found it to be very reliable.
Posted : October 29, 2008 4:07 pm
