Is it possible to get service in the middle of the ocean?

Question

my friend Alejandro said that hes on a cruise and has EXCELLENT servicee

he has AT&T and i have that but when i went on a cruise i had no service so please tell me if its possible!!

Answer 1

in the middle of the ocean, doubtful.  near a shoreline, possibly.  unless he's got a satellite phone, he's probably out of luck more than a few miles from shore.

Answer 2

My AT&T service worked on my blackberry, not on my regular phone yet they are both international phones.

Answer 3

Well, yes, in general.  There are a few reasons you might not have gotten service.  In order to get cell phone service on the ship (albeit at $2.50 a minute), you need to do a couple of things...

(1) Call AT&T beforehand to make sure international roaming is turned on for your account.  (This is the #1 reason people can't connect - the service is usually off unless you ask them)

(2) Check AT&T's website to make sure they have an agreement with the specific ship you're on (they have it with most, but not all)

(3) Make sure you have a phone from the last couple of years.  (I'm sure you do, but some really old ones might not work.)

There's an article on internet service, which has links to all the cell phone company's lists of ships, and their phone numbers, here: http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/kn...

Answer 4

In order to have service you have to be within the signal range of a CELLULAR TOWER... and the last time I looked... there ARE NO CELLULAR TOWERS IN THE OCEAN.,  Cell phones are NOT TELEPHONES... they are VERY LOW POWER walkie talkies.... less than ONE WATT and the rely on the presence of CELLULAR TOWERS to work.

Answer 5

You can get mobile recpetion on a cruise ship when at sea, most lines have a mast specifically for mobile signals. You need a roaming connection and it is expensive.

One reason that the cruise forums recommend that you do not use your mobile while on board or even nearby on the dockside because you connect through the ship mast rather than the nearest land mast.

Check the link:

http://onlinestorez.cingular.com/travelg...

Answer 6

I've been on 4 cruises so far and needless to say, I've had plenty conversation with other guests. I've been told by many that the best way to communicate with home while on a cruise is to purchase a prepaid calling card at any island and use a pay phone. On select ships, there is cell service, but you're talking major roaming charges. Forget that. Calling home from your stateroom telephone runs around $10.00 a minute. Best to tell everyone you're going on holidays before you leave and let voice mail handle it.

Bon Voyage!!!

Answer 7

He was lying!!!  There is no cell service in the middle of the ocean, only if you are less than 50 miles from shore.  Believe me, I was in the NAVY