Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Internet via sat phone Internet via sat phone
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Dec 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: From the middle of Bodmin Moor...
Posts: 55
Internet via sat phone
Does anyone know of a (UK based??) roaming Internet Service Provider that I can use to access the web via the Thuraya Sat Phone network in Morocco, Mauritania and Mali? Has anyone any recommendations or advice?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Dec 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 921
Any UK (or other!) service provider with a paying (ie not freephone) number will do you. Just watch the connection speeds! It's very easy, and potentially very expensive.

Sam.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Dec 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK
Posts: 113
I found that my dial up ISP must have Caller ID enabled or you CANNOT login.

Caller ID from a roaming phone may not work (I have found it doesnt)

, I think this is true of most dial-up ISP accounts.
I looked for an alternative ISP last year. maybe things have changed a little.

I think some ISP's offer an international dial up number

Karim


------------------
<A HREF="http://www.desertbiking.co.uk
Water=Time,Fuel=distance" TARGET=_blank>www.desertbiking.co.uk
Water=Time,Fuel=distance</A>
__________________
www.desertbiking.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Dec 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: From the middle of Bodmin Moor...
Posts: 55
I agree Karim on this. Many companies offer roaming GSM or Sat phone connectivity but the GSM nework “hand shaking” or caller id issue has caused me problems in the past connecting via the local GSM network – eg out of 6 or 7 networks I have tried so far only Vodaphone international roaming numbers seem to work in Europe and I haven’t found anything to work south of Gibraltar despite the companies specifically mentioning reciprocal agreements with N.African networks – Hence the move to a Sat phone…

Sam – have you actually used this system successfully? If so, did you use Thuraya or Iridium and which ISP?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 15 Dec 2004
ctc ctc is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 249
As mentioned on a previous post - speed (baud rate) is a serious technical and cost issue. I have an iridium phone which is fine but it will invariably drop the connection within 5 minutes unless you are lucky - frustrating if your on the net or trying to do some telephone banking!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Dec 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: France
Posts: 353
I was hoping that my Iridium phone could do the necessary but the baud rates are atrocious, if someone sends you an attachment you're sunk; and it drops a call rather than hand you over to the next satellite (not geostationary orbit). At least with Thuraya there's only one satellite so the call shouldn't drop.
In my tour of WA this year I met a family in a truck who let me use their connection via a Geolink RBGAN antenna. It's an absolute dream come true! You get 144kbps, enough to use webmail on a web navigator. What's more connection time isn't counted, only data downloaded (12 dollars a Meg, don't send home hi-res photos). It works in the Thuruya coverage zone. If you get a net2phone account back home it could well work out cheaper than a satphone (although you'd have to switch on the computer)
Sometimes they do special offers where the antenna comes free when you subscribe for a year (about 160 dollars)
Have a look at http://www.satcomdistribution.com/re...e-ip-modem.asp and geolink.com
May your pistes be without corrugations
Luke

Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:49.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top