Mobile phone coverage on East Coast

[Corribee Boy]

I'm not sure how reliable this info is, but I was told that companies boost their signals toward the incoming ferries to capture people coming into the country.

I was also warned, by someone who runs a pilot boat from Harwich, to be careful when near a cruise ship offshore - he says they have their own ?WiFi set up, and if you inadvertantly pick up a call via their service, you do incur some very hefty charges!

 

[Koeketiene]

I'm not sure how reliable this info is, but I was told that companies boost their signals toward the incoming ferries to capture people coming into the country.

Not UK mobile operators I think.
When on a ferry channel crossing, our mobile usually stays on SFR (French) till just short of the Dover breakwaters.
When sailing towards Harwich from the continent we don't pick up a mobile signal till we get to somewhere between Rough Towers and Cork Sands.
When going the other way we pick up a Proximus (Belgian) signal as far off as the Westhinder anchorage.

 

[Corribee Boy]

I'm afraid rough's tower is about as far as I go offshore, so I was relaying what I'd heard. It must be an urban myth!

Does anyone know about the cruise ships?

 

[Corribee Boy]

That would be common sense, but whether they might leave it 'open' for their passenger's benefit, I don't know. All I really know is that my friend won't answer his 'phone when offshore on the pilot boat, but I don't know if it's personal experience or hearsay.

 

[sailorman]

Not UK mobile operators I think.
When on a ferry channel crossing, our mobile usually stays on SFR (French) till just short of the Dover breakwaters.
When sailing towards Harwich from the continent we don't pick up a mobile signal till we get to somewhere between Rough Towers and Cork Sands.
When going the other way we pick up a Proximus (Belgian) signal as far off as the Westhinder anchorage.

we are the same
there is an Ariel on the W.Hinder

 

[sailorman]

we use a TP-Link booster a tenner from amazon

In my experience some wifi providers leave their system 'open' but use low power/sensitivity to restrict usable range to within their sphere of influence.

Now if you are using their system to connect to your provider then it is possible to pick up costs but, as per normal,only for your usage.

Whatever, as your friend advises, if in doubt, switch it off when no in use - then you must be safe.

In Southern Europe long range wifi is becoming the latest form of short range communication. Largely free it is preferred to the mobile.

Wifi is growing a pace & currently my on-board system permits me to connect my computer to wifi routers out to a range of about 6km so would interested to hear any other views on this topic

I send this from on board for free 1km from the router.

Cost of my directional booster aerial? £34 (cheap as chips).

 

[Corribee Boy]

Thanks for the informed reply, Canoeman. I suppose that, when the pilot boat is alongside, it's within range of a limited signal.