cell service, again
Once and Future
2012-12-13 21:59:08
Time for my bi-annual cell service questions. In the past, everyone has agreed ATT has the best coverage in SE. That is what I have. But when I have had friends aboard with Verizon, they have usually have a signal before I do. This is out in Sumner Strait and inside of Noyes. So what gives?
Also, I got lost on the discussion of "jailbreaking" an iphone to get internet service on a laptop. Now I understand that smartphones can provide a wifi hotspot for that service. So my question is this: When you guys are on the internet at sea, are you getting 3G service, or very slow 1XG?
Once and Future
2012-12-13 23:13:10
Answering my own question by looking at coverage maps, it would appear that while Verizon is comparable in voice coverage, ATT offers a lot more 3G coverage in SE. And I only recently realized that 3G service is required for efficient internet download speeds. (I never said I was smart, or even up-to-date.) Anyone could please confirm or disagree with that interpretation, would be appreciated.
squareface
2012-12-14 01:01:33
I can text in most areas of Cross Sound, internet sometimes, very poor voice service. South of Cape Cross, nothing, I'm not sure where service picks back up before Sitka.
Salty
2012-12-14 01:15:33
If you have a booster you can get cell service intermittently at about High Water Island in Neva Strait. Pretty much full coverage from Old Sitka Rks. in.
JYDPDX
2012-12-14 22:11:37
I have ATT and use wilson booster with an antenna on my mast. For voice and text, the "Edge" or "E" network is just fine. For data stuff it is substantially slower, painfully slow compared to the 3 and 4Gs. But it is sufficient for email. If I load a webpage (on my phone), I usually set the phone down while it loads, that's how slow it is. But I can receive ADFG press releases on Edge network which is handy. ADFG has an email list that sends out the press release as soon as announcements are made. I recommend everybody call them and get on the list. It is especially necessary for hatchery openings.
Everywhere in Sitka Sound I get the 3G coverage and it's excellent, but that's the only place I know of. On a side note, I got the Iphone5 which runs on the 4G network and 4G coverage on the winter line is terrible, whereas the 3G was full bars all the way across the sound. There may be a way to turn 4G off but I'm skeptical. That is the only area that I know of in SE AK that has 3G/4G service away from town. Sitka, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Hoonah and I think Craig all have 3G.
There is pretty good Edge network coverage on the northern half of SE if you have a booster. The south half outside has basically nothing as far as I know. And the faster networks are isolated to Sitka Sound only.
I believe there are Jailbreak apps that can circumvent paying for the tethering service (that was supposed to be free anyway) but I haven't got into that yet.
The 4G coverage I get in the harbor is sure a lot faster that SITKAFREE but it sucks squinting at the phone.
Hope that helps.
Abundance
2012-12-14 23:49:35
I use AT&T with a Wilson antenna as well. I get 4G in Bucareli Bay, and and Edge in Warren Channel, Sea Otter Sound, Gulf of Esquibel, and Cordova Bay. I can get some signal on the open ocean by Timbered Island and Alice Rocks. I also get 4G in Clarence Strait from Thorne Bay on down to Moira Sound, Edge at Kendrick Bay to Cape Chacon, Edge in Ernest Sound and northern Clarence Strait, and 4G right in front of Wrangell. I also have myself on ADF&G's notification list. It's really handy, even if it usually gives me bad news. It's kept me from breaking the law a lot times during the confusing hatchery opening system.
deadwood
2012-12-15 16:18:39
Does anyone know if there is any type of sevice in lower Chatham, particularly the spring fishery areas? "Tebenkof, Port Walter"
Using a cell booster!!
JYDPDX
2012-12-15 16:37:07
There is OK service on the Tebenkof side. Not in the anchorages though.
On the west side of Chatham there is nothing.
As I recall, there is very good coverage from Frederick Sound to Peril Strait.
Salty
2012-12-15 18:17:31
Off and on in my experience in Chatham and Frederick Sound. Good around Pt. Thatcher but then none in Peril until Kakul Narrows where , for some reason there is a spot between the green and red can where you get it. Then you lose it until High Water, then intermitten until Old Sitka Rks or so.
fvsedna
2012-12-15 20:55:51
As JYDPDX had said, the coverage Is pretty good on the Tenenkof/Bay of pillars side with a booster....Not until you are clear up to Kingsmill/Security Bay, will a cell without a booster antenna receive a signal. The west side Is poor below Gut Bay, although, I can get a strong signal out In front of Ports; Herbert, Walter, Lucy & Armstrong. For some reason the signal Is good but have to hit redial several times before the call goes through.
Andrew
Once and Future
2012-12-16 22:16:31
Am I to understand that if I have a 4G capable phone in a 3G area that it becomes unusable for internet access? I would have thought it would automatically "downshift" itself to what was available.
Abundance
2012-12-16 23:37:27
I haven't personally noticed any loss of range. I believe my new 4G phone just calls whatever 3G signal it gets as "4G". The phone companies are not known for their honesty to consumers. The whole 4G thing is a slightly modified version of 3G that they rolled out to sell more phones. Actual scientifically defined fourth generation phone technology wouldn't actually be possible for another decade or two. The phone companies simply started calling their newest line of phones "4G", and forced the scientific community to go along after the fact. This annoys me quite a bit, but there is nothing to be done about it.
JYDPDX
2012-12-17 01:17:34
I'm inclined to agree with Garrett but I am no expert. I have experienced a difference in coverage in places where I had consistently had solid 3G signal in in the past and that almost argues against his point. Who knows, maybe the reduced coverage is due to the new phones having inferior antennas. It was suggested to me that I disable the "LTE" toggle in these places and see what happens. Perhaps the phone will switch to 3G or at least be able to operate on that reduced capacity. I havent had the opportunity to try it yet.
Abundance
2012-12-17 02:20:55
In all likelihood, you were the one paying attention and I just didn't notice the smaller service area. I remember the consternation of switching over from first generation analog cell phones to second generation digital. We lost significant signal range immediately, but it seems to be recovered for the most part. 4G may not be much of an improvement over 3G, but it does require all new antennas, and they likely are slightly shifted from the old ones. After a major storm around here, service areas can swing by miles until they send a chopper up to realign it on the mountain.
akfisher1978
2012-12-21 04:49:15
I get decent cell reception without a booster as far south as Pt.Ellis but was wondering how far south will the booster let you go? All the way to Coronation? How about around Omney in the Larch Bay area does the Booster help there?
JYDPDX
2012-12-22 05:39:14
I am not a regular in that area but have been around and what I can report is that there is no reception anywhere around Omaney or north on the outside all the way until north of west crawfish as you near Biorka on the outside. PA has no cell service, as I recall and the east baranof coast is very sparse, if not devoid. I was able to obtain one bar here and there somewhere between Coronation and Cape Addington but not enough for a call anywhere that I have been south of Coronation.