Cell phone coverage in east Gulf of Mexico

[DragonflyBob]

In researching this online, it seems T-Mobile and Tampnet offer coverage but in offshore areas south of TX, LA, and MS. Once you get east of the central Gulf, I’m not sure there is any. Trying to see if there is anything coming out of Tampa Bay heading northwest towards the west Panhandle over to the entrance to Lake Pontchartrain.

Any recent experiences? Thanks!

[callistov42]

A lot of the rigs have a cell connection. I just watch my phone and sometimes a cell comes up and I take advantage of it. It is clearly sporadic but more coverage than I expected.

[Rockinar]

You're not going to have cell signal. You will lose it before you're even out of sight of land from Tampa Bay.

Get an Iridium Go. You can text and make calls with it via Wifi using your smart device via satellite from anywhere in the world. Its not cheap, but it works. My plan has unlimited texting.

[Be Free]

I barely have cell service on land. You are not going to get much offshore along this stretch of the Gulf.

[DragonflyBob]

Originally Posted by Rockinar

You're not going to have cell signal. You will lose it before you're even out of sight of land from Tampa Bay.

Get an Iridium Go. You can text and make calls with it via Wifi using your smart device via satellite from anywhere in the world. Its not cheap, but it works. My plan has unlimited texting.

Originally Posted by Be Free

I barely have cell service on land. You are not going to get much offshore along this stretch of the Gulf.

The Iridium GO is intriguing. It’s a bit more affordable than a full sat phone. I just got a Garmin InReach so we have texting/tracking service to friends and family when out of cell range. This will compliment EPIRB and PLB’s also on board. I have AT&T for cell service and many have told me as long as we are within sight of land, there’s a good chance of service so we’ll see. It will be interesting if we get the TampNet roaming service once we are in MS and LA coastal waters.