Travel Tip for Getting Email

We found a problem – and a solution – for getting your email without interruption while traveling internationally. The problem has to do with various countries’ rules on blocking IP addresses and how they interact with Starlink systems.

The problem came up during our last cruise when Danit couldn’t access her mail. Then I couldn’t get my email, nor could I access my Cloud PC, which I heavily depend on. Naturally, that raised our response level.

The problems are that countries can block IP addresses, which include your email providers’ addresses, for various reasons related to censorship, copyright infringement, and national security. This blocking can prevent access to specific websites or content deemed inappropriate or harmful according to local laws and cultural norms. This can include blocking sites related to unauthorized gambling, child abuse material, or copyright infringement.

IP address blocking can restrict access to specific websites or online content based on geographic location, often leading to unintended consequences such as blocking legitimate services. While it may seem arbitrary, IP address blocking is a strategic measure aimed at enhancing security and managing online behavior. There are ways to work around these blocks, but they require a lot of steps, all based on the specifics of each country. It’s painful for many users.

In addition to local internet providers in all countries, Starlink provides high-speed, reliable internet access in remote or underserved areas where traditional broadband is unavailable or unreliable, such as on a cruise ship or a remote resort. Starlink does not have the capability to block specific IP addresses. Instead, it uses a system of Carrier Grade Network Address Translation (CGNAT) to manage IP addresses.

For customers needing specific connections, Starlink offers an optional public IP configuration. This is available for certain plans, such as Priority, Mobile Priority, and Maritime services. Again, this is a complicated system for most people.

However, all is not lost. We’ve developed a solution: Starlink exception lists tailored to locations and dates. Using AI and some other tools, we can create Starlink exception lists that have IP address exceptions for specific locations and specific dates. The lists can cover itineraries and help you gain access to your email and websites you need while you travel.

To learn more about how this solution can work for you and to set up lists, call us – 973-433-6676 – or email us to discuss your needs and what you’ll need to know to use your list.

DIY Email

We can expect cable and telecom companies to accelerate their exit from providing email services. Verizon/FIOS long ago transitioned their email management to AOL, which is really Yahoo Mail. Comcast is about to follow the same route, handing their email off to Yahoo. Getting live support from an actual person will become even more difficult. If you think Gmail is an answer, when did you EVER talk to a person from Google? It’s time to take matters into your own hands by getting your own domain and better managing how you handle your email accounts.

The problem with email from your cable or telecom company or from Yahoo/AOL is that it’s not a profit center – unless they can convince you to buy a support subscription. And buying a support subscription is the only way you’ll get a chance to talk to an actual human being if you have a problem.

Support can be critical when your email gets hacked. In cases with Comcast, for example, it can take human intervention to clear out any contact info a hacker may have planted in your account. Then, you’ll need to reset your password and set up a phone number and secondary email address that can be used for two-factor authentication (2FA) and notifications of problems if you get hacked again. Support people are generally good when you get to one of them after navigating their cumbersome phone trees. When you move to the Yahoo platform, it will be harder to get human support – unless you get a subscription. The cost of Yahoo Plus is $49.99 per year, which includes features such as ad-free email, priority customer support, and premium features for Yahoo Mail and Yahoo Fantasy.

Instead of sliding over to the Yahoo platform when your cable company ends its email, we recommend you go to Outlook or Gmail. Microsoft (Microsoft 365 subscriptions) and Google (lots and lots of ad revenue) have many other ways to monetize their relationship with you, so they put more stock in maintaining email support. Additionally, IT consulting services know the ins and outs of their systems and your needs. We can help you transfer all your folders and messages to your new system. We make it a point to provide the personal support you need when you have problems.

But a much better solution is to get your own email domain for both business and personal use. For security and management, the key benefits are:

  • Enhanced Security and Control: You can create better security processes to prevent unauthorized access, and you can create multiple addresses for specific purposes.
  • Improved Deliverability: Custom email domains allow for proper authentication and are less likely to be flagged as spam.
  • Long-term Consistency: Whether you’re a business, non-profit organization, family or business, you can keep your system going forever and ever if you wish, and people will always know where to contact you. It keeps life simple.
  • Flexibility and Scalability: You can create as many email addresses as needed for various functions. For businesses and organizations, you can manage functions or projects better. For individuals, you can keep various parts of life separate, such as a shopping address where you can get coupons or messages you only want to check occasionally.

 Getting your own email domain is no different from getting any other domain. We can help you with everything involved from securing a domain name to setting up all the email addresses you need. Then, we can work with you to transfer all your messages, folders, etc. from your old email account to your new domain. Call us – 973-433-6676 – or email us to answer all your questions about email accounts and get you set up with a system that can work for you long into the future.