Global Reach
This is going to be a bit shorter post than I usually write. I have had this topic in my Google Keep list for a while now, and I want to get the information out there before it becomes completely out of date.
If you have been reading my blog for any amount of time, you should know by now that @mrsbozz and I love to camp in the late Spring, Summer, and early Fall. While some would call what we do "glamping" more than camping, I think it's important to point out that we paid our dues sleeping in a tent for many years before we eventually upgraded to our first travel trailer, and then the 26 foot tow behind that we now call our second home.
I've had several instances where people comment on how large our trailer is, but the reality is by today's standards, 26 feet is actually quite small. No matter where we go, we see these massive rigs come in and out of campgrounds clocking in at over 40 feet long. I can't even imagine!
Likewise, unlike some other folks, the amount of time we spend in our trailer is actually pretty minimal. Unless it is storming or we are sleeping, the majority of our time is spent outside either exploring the area or enjoying our campsite. Even if it is raining we tend to sit under our awning and watch the rain come down.
I say all of this to justify the fact that we do spend some time on our devices while we are camping. As nice as it is to disconnect, it's also nice to be able to have accurate and up to date maps of your surroundings. It's helpful to be able to look at weather radar and know if that strong cell of thunderstorms is heading your way or will blow by to the south. It's also nice to be able to look into local attractions to know what is worth visiting and what is better to skip.
You may or may not be surprised to find that many areas in the great wild of Michigan have pretty poor cell phone reception. Then there are other areas where you are so close to Canada that you end up hitting their towers. If you don't have the proper roaming plan, it can be a bit of a nightmare to actually do anything on your phone.
I was pretty excited when T-Mobile announced that they were going to be partnering with Skylink to offer satellite phone service. I quickly signed up my number to try and get early access to the program and then I waited to hear back from them.
And waited.
And waited.
Eventually, On October 8th (I told you I had this in the queue for a while), I got an email from them that T Satellite with Starlink was available and I could add it to my regular plan. Apparently I didn't qualify for the early access or something.
I got looking at the service, and I was a bit dismayed to find out that the satellite service only works for a handful of apps.
My assumption had been that this was a service that worked exactly the same as your regular phone service, it was just sending the signal through satellites, not through traditional cellular towers. Given the fact that I didn't require a special phone for the service, that seemed to make sense. Imagine my surprise when I realized that the service only works with three apps, though they claim they are working on more.
Actually, by the time I write this they might have ten apps that work with the service. I don't really know. Can you guess the three apps that they originally had working when the service started?
Google Maps, which actually makes sense given the fact that you might want to know where you are when you are lost in the woods. All Trails, which again makes a lot of sense if you are into hiking in remote areas and that sort of thing. Finally, WhatsApp, which absolutely baffles me that they would include that one. I guess it has a bigger user base than I realized? Perhaps this is the defacto standard that most people use for their messaging and I somehow missed that bus? I guess I am not sure, but the fact they included that instead of say a weather app had me totally confounded.
I just did a quick check, and as of this date, there are 16 Android apps that work with the service and 18 iOS apps that work with the service. You also have to be sure your device is on the list of optimized devices. Sadly, my Pixel 8 Pro doesn't make the cut.
Needless to say, I think the service has a ways to go before it is truly accessible to the public. I'll pass for now. It's use will likely be relegated to the stay at home moms driving their four wheelers around on 300 acres of land like you see in the commercials...
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Interesting what you told us about the satellite service. I thought it was for all internet and phone services, but oh well, I guess it'll gradually improve. At least you have something to use in the meantime, haha.
About the photos from your trip, amazing scenery! Hugs!
Thanks, I appreciate that. Yeah, I guess this isn't surprising for such a new service, but I really don't understand how the technology limits it so much.
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That's weird that the service would only work with a handful of apps. Like you, I would assume satellite service would be the same as regular cell service. Shows what I know, I guess.
Yeah it's pretty odd. I'm guessing the two services aren't fully integrated yet or something.
Three apps only, one of which is whatsapp... I haven't used that in years! Sad that Starlink is only available through those few apps with T-Mobile. That's kind of bizarre actually, but like you said the first two make sense as they are for those who hike or may be lost in the woods.
Maybe someday soon it will be available to regular campers like you who don't wander deep into the woods!
I actually did a lot of research when Covid hit and we had to start supplying wireless and devices to our students. Back then AT&T had the most robust network with the largest quantity of towers in remote locations. I have a hotspot that work pays for which I take camping, just in case I need to remote in for something.
I guess I am out of touch with technology or maybe it is just because the countries I ahve spent the last 20 years living in are all really small but I have never been in a situation where I didn't have a signal. We even had service on boats in the middle of the ocean when I was a scuba instructor.
Now that I think about it I don't even think that this is the topic of your writeup but you are good with the talkin so let's see what happens :)
There are large stretches of the US where things aren't quite so great as you can imagine. The population density doesn't make it worth it for the big companies to run lines, so they just go unserviced. It's pretty sad . I know a handful of state parks where if my wife and I are traveling there we are going to have sketchy signal.
The way you and @mrsbozz embrace the outdoor life while camping is inspiring. Loving these glimpses into your adventures ❤️
Thank you! We really try to make the most of it!
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