Broadband alternatives: Ericsson W35

[Bruce Moore]

Has anyone had experience with the Ericsson W35 Marine terminal/router for 3G/GSM broadband access to the internet. Specs are good and we've heard one glowing review from another tug owner.

It's essentially a MIFI card on steroids, plus it functions as an in/outbound phone for the number associated with the SIM card used.

We have been increasingly dissatisfied with Broadband Express (difficult to initiate sessions, poor to average speed, useless underway) and are looking for an alternative.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[JamesTXSD]

Just over a grand - kinda pricey for a Mifi card on steroids. We use an actual Mifi card and boost it with a Wilson Sleek powered cradle (just over $100). Right now, we are in Grand Teton National Park - without the Sleek, there are no bars on our phone and no Mifi reception; with the Sleek, we get 3 bars and reasonable internet. We are in our 5th wheel; fiberglass skin, like most boats. To get a good ground plane with the Sleek, we put the magnetic antenna on a cookie sheet... not high-tech, but it works. We put the Mifi card in the cradle and the phone on top of that - both work.

Just offering another alternative.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[ozoner]

If you have a smartphone like an iPhone or Android, check with your carrier about the cost of a tethering plan. I can plug my iPhone into my laptop and be up and running on both, no problem. At $40-$50 per month for a tethering plan, you could buy a LOT of data for a thousand dollar device plus whatever the monthly plan for it is.

 

[Bruce Moore]

Thanks. All perspectives welcome! One benefit of this system is we can use the SIM from either of our phones and utilize the unlimited data plans we're already paying for. We can make and receive phone calls, with extended range and quality, to/from the phone number associated with the SIM.

Any other experience or alternatives out there?

Thanks,

Bruce