Wi-Fi and Cell Phone Coverage in the Bahamas
The four postings which I've grouped below are actually responses to a question on the Net's "Ask Your Neighbor" page about the availability of Wi-Fi and Cellular Phone service in the Bahamas. These three replies were so newsy that I have decided to reporduce them here on the "Bahamas" page.
Hi:
After a few years at Green Turtle Cay,
1. WIFI is available at many marinas. Bandwidth is always a problem and the Bahamians love VOiP, so speed and reliability are an issue.
2. The Bahamas are on GSM, so if you have cingular, your phone may work, but the roam rates are very high. CDMA phones (e.g. verizon) do not function.
3. if you have an unlocked GSM phone, you can get a local Simm card from Batelco for a one time $50 fee and then whatever you want to load on to it. That gives you as "local" phone with local rates. Locked GSM phones will not function.
Hope this helps
I was in Puerto Rico, St Thomas, Antigua, Barbados and St Lucia recently on Royal Carribean Cruise… Sprint and Alltell worked on land /near land in Puerto Rico (US Territory) and St Thomas (USVI) just as if in the states. No extra cost. Cingular worked everywhere, even out at sea on boat… Cingular has a "Cingular at Sea" and an International plan… don't know anything about it, just that it worked for a friend and I used his phone the entire time at sea w/ great signal. That's all I know…
Frank
We have spent the last couple of winters in the Abacos (headquarter at MOW) and use the Internet daily. Wifi is available in most places, especially in the settlements (towns)- it does get spotty on occasion, but that is typical of all utilities in the Bahamas. The widest coverage is through OII.net. Some marinas have their own “net”, others just use OutIsland Internet.
Cingular works fine there, but is very expensive ($2.00/minute)
phones, but I have no idea what kind of “plans” are available and my guess is that making a long distance call to the states would be expensive.
John & Marny Owen #3089
CHB 41 INTERLUDE
Most places have cell coverage….you'll need a GSM phone….can get one from Batelco but they're expensive. ATT phones are GSM and will work there to get to US, but it's expensive. Verizon will rent a phone, also expensive. Batelco has prepaid phone cards that allow use from land lines. A GSM phone can be purchased here, activated by BAtelco when you get there….that's about as inexpensive as you can do.
Getting to a Batelco office when you get there, on their schedule, to activate your phone can sometimes be a maddening experience….sometimes not.
I just rented one from Verizon….paid the premium for the convenience….worked well….cost a bundle for the lack of trouble and lack of hassle.
Jerry Greenhoot
"Jewel"
The four postings which I've grouped below are actually responses to a question on the Net's "Ask Your Neighbor" page about the availability of Wi-Fi and Cellular Phone service in the Bahamas. These three replies were so newsy that I have decided to reporduce them here on the "Bahamas" page.
Hi:
After a few years at Green Turtle Cay,
1. WIFI is available at many marinas. Bandwidth is always a problem and the Bahamians love VOiP, so speed and reliability are an issue.
2. The Bahamas are on GSM, so if you have cingular, your phone may work, but the roam rates are very high. CDMA phones (e.g. verizon) do not function.
3. if you have an unlocked GSM phone, you can get a local Simm card from Batelco for a one time $50 fee and then whatever you want to load on to it. That gives you as "local" phone with local rates. Locked GSM phones will not function.
Hope this helps
I was in Puerto Rico, St Thomas, Antigua, Barbados and St Lucia recently on Royal Carribean Cruise… Sprint and Alltell worked on land /near land in Puerto Rico (US Territory) and St Thomas (USVI) just as if in the states. No extra cost. Cingular worked everywhere, even out at sea on boat… Cingular has a "Cingular at Sea" and an International plan… don't know anything about it, just that it worked for a friend and I used his phone the entire time at sea w/ great signal. That's all I know…
Frank
We have spent the last couple of winters in the Abacos (headquarter at MOW) and use the Internet daily. Wifi is available in most places, especially in the settlements (towns)- it does get spotty on occasion, but that is typical of all utilities in the Bahamas. The widest coverage is through OII.net. Some marinas have their own “net”, others just use OutIsland Internet.
Cingular works fine there, but is very expensive ($2.00/minute)
phones, but I have no idea what kind of “plans” are available and my guess is that making a long distance call to the states would be expensive.
John & Marny Owen #3089
CHB 41 INTERLUDE
Most places have cell coverage….you'll need a GSM phone….can get one from Batelco but they're expensive. ATT phones are GSM and will work there to get to US, but it's expensive. Verizon will rent a phone, also expensive. Batelco has prepaid phone cards that allow use from land lines. A GSM phone can be purchased here, activated by BAtelco when you get there….that's about as inexpensive as you can do.
Getting to a Batelco office when you get there, on their schedule, to activate your phone can sometimes be a maddening experience….sometimes not.
I just rented one from Verizon….paid the premium for the convenience….worked well….cost a bundle for the lack of trouble and lack of hassle.
Jerry Greenhoot
"Jewel"
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