It is reported that Virgin Mobil has introduced a new 3G internet plan
that may be of interest. It uses the Sprint 3G network and requires
purchase of a MiFi  device for reception. The cool thing about this
plan is that no contract is required and it is only $40/mo for
UNLIMITED data access.
This service has just begun operation.
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband/broadband2go.html

It can also be turned on and off at will using their website.  Users
can access the proper website to activate the plan even if their plan
is inactive.  You can also get 100MB for 10 days for $10 to service
the weekend traveler.

This seems like a great opportunity for boaters and other travelers.
It is certainly a crack in the ironclad control that wireless
providers have kept over data access plans.

The one open question is - How good is the Sprint network for the
typical east coast boater transiting the ICW and on into other
cruising grounds?

The Sprint service map seems to show 3G service all along the coast
with NC still a bad region for service.  There are many areas with
less than 3G service indicated on the map so how good is the service
there.

Anyone with Sprint data service please report your experiences. I may
give up my Verizon plan when it expires this year.

Greg and Susan Han
Key Biscayne, FL
Allegria -- Krogen Whaleback #16
MTOA # 3702

"The one open question is - How good is the Sprint network for the
typical east coast boater transiting the ICW and on into other
cruising grounds?"

The easy answer is: It's not Verizon
That said, I am a Sprint user (and a bit of a Fanboy, I'll admit)
In my trip from Ft Myers (Lake O route) To Yorktown, VA by ICW there
were few places I did not have signal, but still more than would have
been with Verizon.
As I remember the longest time without coverage was Alligator River NC area.
When price is considered however, the slightly less coverage still works
great for me. I have an EVO 4G Android phone, and I use PDANet to tether
to my laptop when traveling. Everything the phone can do is unlimited,
including data.
Technically my voice minutes are limited to 450, but since calls to/from
other mobile phones, regardless of the network are free, I never get
anywhere near that limit, who calls landlines for any length of time
these days? Total cost is 80 bucks a month.
Verizon would be at least 100 for the same package. And then I'd be
giving money to a company I despise the business practices of, but
that's a whole 'nother story that doesn't belong here.

There have been a few reports of people having connection problems (even
when a Sprint device works great in the same location) with Virgin's
mifi's and USB dongles, probably start up issues that will be ironed
out. Do they let you return the equipment for refund (within a certain
timeframe) if the network doesn't work for you? Sprint does, not sure
about the Virgin subsidiary , that could be key.

Actually, my Verizon air card is $60. I'm grandfathered in with unlimited
access, but if you sign up now I think they give you 5 gigs, which is way
plenty for most people.

Also, the new Verizon Droid X is a Wi-Fi hot spot, and you can get a 3 gig
data plan for $20 a month. Then there are aps that let you get around that
as well.

Keith

He's not dead. He's electroencephalographically challenged.

-----Original Message-----

"The one open question is - How good is the Sprint network for the typical
east coast boater transiting the ICW and on into other cruising grounds?"

The easy answer is: It's not Verizon
That said, I am a Sprint user (and a bit of a Fanboy, I'll admit) In my trip
from Ft Myers (Lake O route) To Yorktown, VA by ICW there were few places I
did not have signal, but still more than would have been with Verizon.
As I remember the longest time without coverage was Alligator River NC area.