Tonight I began searching Google hoping to find some viable options for internet access while at sea.  I was fortunate to find two option, but the service plans hadly make them viable for our cruising plans.

So here is the plan:

1.  Get all extraneous vills paid off.
2.  Save as much money as we can.
3.  Buy a sailboat.
4.  Sell whatever doesn't have a place on the sailboat.
5.  Rent out (or sell) our house.
6.  Move aboard and do contract web development wherever I can find contract opportunities.
7.  Cruise with my beautiful wife.

Now luckily, I have been blessed to have a passion for my job, and in the software development industry, the nature of the business allows a developer to practically work from "anywhere."  I don't require a desk.  I don't require an ergonomic chair.  I don't require fluorescent lighting.  I DO, however, require commmunications namely the means to connect to the internet.  The web allows VoiP which provides one solution to maintaining communications with my contract.  The internet also allows for video conferencing and email, IM and reference.  With a computer and an internet connection, I can virtually earn a living anywhere in the world.

Of course, some companies are going to require that I perform my contracts in person, and I am hoping that any companies that retain my services will be moderately coastal.

Back to the information I discovered regarding marine internet services.  My research showed that there are currently 2 main players in the marine telecom industry.  SeaTel and KVH appear to offer exactly the types of service that seabound vessels would require.  Currently, however, the service plan pricing seems far out of the average cruisers budget.  Kvh offers their TracPhone system services through either Inmarsat or Mini-VSAT. Information regarding the TracPhone V7 with Mini-VSAT broadband service can be found here.  Information on the Inmarsat compatible TracPhone can be found here.  I have seen pricing plans ranging from $400 per month all the way up to $6000 per month and some of the plans are either data or time dependent meaning that the plan could charge $1.49 per minute (for example).  An example of the Sea Tel plan can be found on the mobilsat website.  KVH plans can also be found on the mobilsat website or in this document.  After looking at several of the plans, it's still rather evident that the service plan alonefor internet communications is still out-of-reach for most people.  Even dropping $400 per month seems rather unreachable.

I am hoping that by the time we reach step #6 above, these prices will be more readily accessible for those of us wanting to cruise, but who don't necessarily have the means to afford the service.  Funny that I always thought that $45 per month for 8Mbps cable internet seemed expensive.  If only cable speed and affordability could be found at sea.  Don't get me wrong,  I'm not whining.  It is a triumph to modern technology that we can get internet service in bluewater at all.  But $400 for 128K DSL?  Whew.