Cell Service

[Drenns3]

I heard Verizon is the only cell service that works at KP. Can anyone verify this? I tried the search engine and didn't find a post about it. TIA.

 

[kpmom2013]

Cell service depends on where you are on campus, and sometimes even which room you are assigned to in your company. In addition to Verizon, my two mids have done fine with ATT and T-Mobile. Depending on your company assignment, you are not likely to be able to use your phone too much before recognition. I would not worry about changing carriers for now.

 

[Drenns3]

Cell service depends on where you are on campus, and sometimes even which room you are assigned to in your company. In addition to Verizon, my two mids have done fine with ATT and T-Mobile. Depending on your company assignment, you are not likely to be able to use your phone too much before recognition. I would not worry about changing carriers for now.

I realize it would be a while before I can use my phone but when I can, what a let down if I didn’t have service. I was encouraged to change it by another mid who is there now so I thought I’d ask. I have Sprint (I guess that’s T-Mobile now). Thank you.

 

[CAT5]

Verizon installed a cell tower on campus last year and provides the most complete coverage. Service for other carries can be very inconsistent. It would be worth it to switch to verizon.

 

[CAT5]

Additionally, the Class of 2024 received their phones back after shortly after Indoc. That doesnt mean you will have unlimited use but it would be easier to switch before starting Indoc then having to worry about it after.

 

[Drenns3]

Additionally, the Class of 2024 received their phones back after shortly after Indoc. That doesnt mean you will have unlimited use but it would be easier to switch before starting Indoc then having to worry about it after.

Exactly what I was thinking. Why not take care of the things I can control now? Thanks for the info on the cell tower, too.

 

[beyond]

Exactly what I was thinking. Why not take care of the things I can control now? Thanks for the info on the cell tower, too.

The flip side of this is cell service at sea, where t-mobile is the leader. You’ll be on campus 75% of the time, but it’s something to kick around.

 

[CAT5]

The flip side of this is cell service at sea, where t-mobile is the leader. You’ll be on campus 75% of the time, but it’s something to kick around.

As long as the ship has wifi, cell service is not an issue. We have been able to face time, or text with our Mids no matter where they have been in the world. The friend finder app on their phones as also been able to provide us with their location as they sailed.

 

[beyond]

As long as the ship has wifi, cell service is not an issue. We have been able to face time, or text with our Mids no matter where they have been in the world. The friend finder app on their phones as also been able to provide us with their location as they sailed.

FaceTime or calling over wifi while at sea is considered pretty bad form as it absolutely nukes the limited amount of bandwidth ships have.

 

[CAT5]

That may have been true at one time but band with service on ships has improved and since engine and deck cadets may work up to 12 hours a day, in addition to working on their sea projects. The limited amount of time they face time, email, or call over wifi is negligible. There are also several calling plans that parents can add prior to their mids sailing.

 

[beyond]

That may have been true at one time but band with service on ships has improved

I can assure you this isn’t true across the board. When it’s 9 pm and my payroll program starts to choke and can’t replicate with the office the router will get unplugged.

The limited amount of time they face time, email, or call over wifi is negligible.

The problem is that when all of the day workers finish working at the same time you have 6 people all trying to do a “negligible” amount of face time and it rocks the bandwidth available.

Unless you’re in a handful of applications which have a ton of bandwidth for the venture of the ship, like rigs, cable, or some military ships there isn’t a ton of bandwidth to spare. Shipping companies don’t put a satellite in for the comfort for the crew, it’s there for NSE and so the top 4 can send e-mail.

If the internet isn’t screaming fast, FaceTime and other high bandwidth endeavors really are bad for the ship. My underlying point is don’t count on wifi to call off of the ship, and if it’s there you probably shouldn’t be using it for voice or video.

 

[CAT5]

I'm sure the ATR's, Upperclassmen who have sailed on the cadet's particular ship and their first' will explain to them exactly what they can and cant do on each ship.

 

[NorCal Parent 2024]

I heard Verizon is the only cell service that works at KP. Can anyone verify this? I tried the search engine and didn't find a post about it. TIA.

We heard the same thing and then went to a lot of trouble to get my son a used verizon phone (verizon MVNO) just in case and basically, he never used it. He uses his T-mobile phone. Service and quality of service can vary on campus though.

 

[Mr2020]

Verizon is by far the fastest with full LTE cover in the dorms/buildings. In the dorms you have to go outside or to the waterfront to use your phone if you don't have verizon. T Mobile has free 2G/text internationally, but it's slow. Get a Google FI sim and activate it only while at sea. that gives you full speed LTE while you need it.

 

[Drenns3]

Verizon is by far the fastest with full LTE cover in the dorms/buildings. In the dorms you have to go outside or to the waterfront to use your phone if you don't have verizon. T Mobile has free 2G/text internationally, but it's slow. Get a Google FI sim and activate it only while at sea. that gives you full speed LTE while you need it.

Thank you!