cellphone options in GOM

[Sebas]

Can someone give me some other options for cellphone use offshore?

I definately don't want to get stuck with international charges.

Do the prepaid cellphones work from the platforms?

Does anyone know of a provider that has a plan that does cover this area?

 

Thanks

[RotorRunner]

This will definetly work, but someone else may know of something less expensive.

 

http://www.iridium.com

[Gomer Pylot]

Cellphones will work offshore, in some places, but the rates aren't cheap. I don't think it's international rates, but certainly roaming rates, and higher than you would be charged onshore.

Edited July 3, 2007 by Gomer Pylot

[PhotoFlyer]

Most wireless providers don't charge roaming these days. If your plan charges for roaming, you should probably consider a new plan or new provider. They would only charge international rates if you were talking off a tower in another country. If you can get service, it is probably a tower in a US.

Edited July 3, 2007 by PhotoFlyer

[Mixmaster]

Can someone give me some other options for cellphone use offshore?

I definately don't want to get stuck with international charges.

Do the prepaid cellphones work from the platforms?

Does anyone know of a provider that has a plan that does cover this area?

 

Thanks

 

Petrocom (I think) has the most cell towers in the gulf and most of the operators use them. They have a hook up with Cingular and that is what many people use, even their Data plan to get internet coverage. Only hassle is that once you are out of range of the land based towers you are into petrocoms stuff and they bill at about 30 cents/ min. Not cheep! There are lost of places in the gulf where their coverage is no good anyway, and even on the beach you are mostly screwed as there are not to many towers that close to the beach. Sprint and Cingular seem to do the best down there, Verizon sucks in most places. If you get along well with your customers they will let you call from the platform phone anyway. Hope this helps

 

Fly Safe

BEN

[Gomer Pylot]

I have Cingular which says no roaming charges, but that doesn't apply offshore, as I found out the hard way.

[helonorth]

I have Cingular which says no roaming charges, but that doesn't apply offshore, as I found out the hard way.

How long has it been since you worked offshore?

[Gomer Pylot]

A few months. If anything has changed, it has been very recently.