Will Tru SIM work & rates on Cruise ships????

[DRNewcomb]

Originally Posted by davidtheprof

I was surprised that I could get phone signal on Tru at around 15 miles offshore, including Mexico and Cuba.
Also, Shipboard internet is far too slow for VOIP.

Standard GSM has a maximum range of 35 km or about 18 nm. At that point it hits a brick wall. You can see the signal farther out but not actually use it. There is an extended range GSM, which is not very common, that has a much longer range. To use ER GSM you pretty much need an external directional antenna. I believe it only supports voice and SMS, not GPRS. ER GSM is most often found along coasts where it reaches out to serve marine interests. UMTS has no hard range limit but just fades out of usability.