| Advanced technology has enabled us to become a | | | | and text messages) and also what the standard |
| multi-tasking society. With cell phone technologies | | | | charges are (about $4/minute for calls for standard |
| such as the Blackberry and the iPhone, we can send | | | | international roaming). The local telecommunications |
| an e-mail while on a conference call and check stocks | | | | company in the BVI, CCT Communications (Boat |
| simultaneously. | | | | phone) better known as Bmobile and its competitor, |
| While having a phone and e-mail at your fingertips, its | | | | Digicel. |
| easier than ever to work outside the office and now | | | | With certain companies you may also have the |
| accomplish the amount of work that used to take | | | | option to rent a cell phone that will work in this area. |
| two of you to do. This is a great tool for someone | | | | Another option is to rent a phone from WorldCell ( |
| on the go but are you sure that you want to be | | | | The Moorings, Footloose and NauticBlue recommend |
| reminded of work when you’re on vacation? | | | | this company. They offer equipment based on |
| Being completely disconnected from the world may | | | | satellite signals that will work anywhere. They also |
| be one of the most attractive features for a luxury | | | | provide 24-hour technical service and customer |
| yacht charter vacation, but for a business owner or | | | | support. Just order on line, and they will send you the |
| CEO, 7-10 days with no business contact may not be | | | | phone, charged batteries, charger/adapter and |
| conceivable. | | | | instructions. When you return home, just send the |
| Many of today's cell phones work in the British Virgin | | | | equipment back in a pre-paid Federal Express packet. |
| Islands and other Caribbean destinations. You'll want | | | | Another company with similar service is These |
| to contact your provider before you leave for your | | | | companies offer phone rentals for destinations |
| caribbean yacht charter to ask them about using | | | | worldwide. In the BVI, some charter companies offer |
| your phone while on charter. Most providers' | | | | a phone on board, but it is only good for making calls |
| websites have a "Usage" or "Travel Guide" section | | | | to the base. TMM offers cell phones with "pay as |
| where you can put in your phone number, type of | | | | you go" credit. The cost is $10 for the phone rental, |
| equipment and itinerary. | | | | and the calls are 50 cents/minute for local calls and |
| T-Mobile and AT&T (formally known as Cingular) | | | | around $1/minute to the States and Canada |
| operate on a GSM System or Global System for | | | | (depending on the time of day). You may use this |
| Mobile Service. Their roaming charges typically range | | | | phone as much as you want and can even get an |
| from $1.99-$3.00 USD per minute for calls abroad. | | | | assigned phone number before you arrive, which you |
| Sprint does not utilize GSM technology but they do | | | | can give to family and friends. If you run out of |
| sell GSM rigged phones for a little over $500.00. Their | | | | credit, call the charter company and they will add |
| phones that do work in the Caribbean typically cost | | | | minutes to your phone and you may pay them at |
| $0.99 per minute and then anywhere from | | | | the end of your charter. Calls to the charter |
| $1.20-$5.60 for roaming costs. | | | | company are no longer free, so call them from your |
| Nextel usually offers service in most major areas | | | | phone onboard, and they will call you back using the |
| overseas, but you may need to purchase a Hybrid | | | | office phone. |
| phone that has GSM capabilities. | | | | Although a Carribean yacht charter takes you to |
| As for Verizon, most of their phones may not work | | | | some of the world’s most remote locations, |
| as well in the Caribbean. You may be required to | | | | today’s global technology brings you the luxury |
| purchase or rent one of their internationally inept | | | | amenity of cell phone service anywhere in the world. |
| phones. | | | | If the boss calls you can just tell him that you are |
| US carriers will tell you whether or not your phone | | | | “Out to Lunch….. Indefinately. |
| will work in that area (including calls, e-mail, voice mail | | | | |