One of my customers wrote … (on Marine Telcom (Communications) Group on LinkedIn::

Kristin Zhivago • Within sight of land, any US-based country (including US Virgin Islands): T-Mobile unlimited data (now $49/month), with Zoom modem http://www.amazon.com/4596-3G-Mobile-Broadband-Modem/dp/B002S43OS6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1304870418&sr=1-3-spell – incredibly reliable and easy modem – or put the T-mobile SIM card in an Ericsson W25 (guess the W35 is the new one). Interestingly, even with a mast-based antenna, the Ericsson isn’t always superior to the Zoom modem in one PC.Tying the W25 to a Linksys router, you can have Ethernet throughout your boat – all running on the T-Mobile connection. Alan Spicer helped us set that up.Also ATT has an unlimited data option as part of its Nationwide plan; $15/month. I use that with my Nokia E71 phone and get approx 480+ kb/s over 3G.Using these two carriers, I have always been able to get a signal from one or the other, so far. New England, Chesapeake, and USVI.Once you’re out of sight of land, the best thing is BGAN – Thrane and Thrane Explorer 300 or 500; can be rented or bought used for about $2K, very reliable approx 384kb/s, but pricey per MB charges (usually $8.00/MB, can be as low as $6. something, depending on the supplier).I keep charges under control by going to a web-based mail host first (I use Horde), deleting all the spam, and then only downloading wanted mail. Also can use that to set aside large files to “look at later.” Do not do any website work while in BGAN mode. AllRoadSat.com is good for renting, as is Globafone.com.All data rates approx; I don’t have them hooked up at the moment. Whatever you do, don’t rely on ATT roaming when in another country. Voice is $2 a minute. A normal couple of “business conversation” weeks and you will have a phone bill of thousands of dollars. The charges will NOT show up on your online ATT account cumulatively; they will not post the charges until the day they issue your monthly statement.—Alan Spicer Marine Telecom and WIFIYACHT.NEThttp://www.marinetelecom.net – http://www.wifiyacht.net+1 954 683 3426communications @ marinetelecom.net