Consider this blog post as a sort of public service announcement to travelers who want or need internet on their Jamaica vacation. It’s not big news but handy to know and when I learn something I like to pass it on.
What is Dekal and WHY Should You Care?
Dekal is a wireless internet service accessible from almost anywhere on the island. You don’t need to plug in anywhere to get it and the place you’re staying doesn’t need to have internet service to access Dekal.
Why should you care? There are a few reasons. If you’re a resort-type of traveler you might be surprised to find out that popular Jamaican resorts such as Sandals and Jamaica Grande (among many others) charge EXTRA for internet service and it’s not cheap. I’ve paid approximately $15.00 usd per day for internet at Sandals and it wasn’t reliable. It was off more than it was on during my stay. Calls to the front desk and requests to be refunded were ignored. Not cool for a place that costs a fortune to stay. All-inclusive? Read the fine print!
Another reason you should care is because let’s just say you’re NOT a resort-type traveler and you like to go local. Not all these small, inexpensive places have wireless internet for guests. And your only other option is to spend too much money on an internet stick from Digicel, Lime or Flow – the major communications companies on the island. This isn’t an economical choice if you’re a one-time or infrequent visitor to Jamaica.
How To Access Dekal Wireless
You can visit their website to get more information about it. You can also purchase a 24-hour internet card if you only want to be online for a day at a time, here and there. This is the coolest option because it literally costs you $2.00 ($235 jmd) to get 24 hours of internet access from anywhere. Any little corner shop or supermarket that has a sign that reads “SuperWifi” sells Dekal internet cards. If you don’t see this sign anywhere just ask people in the street or other shop owners and they should be able to direct you to someone who sells the cards.
Once you purchase the Dekal card you scratch it to reveal a PIN number, turn on your computer and check the available networks. There will always be a network that says Dekal SuperWifi. Choose that one and it will direct you to Dekal’s homepage where you enter the PIN from the card and start surfing!
As I mentioned, this isn’t HUGE news but the topic of wireless internet has come up before on my Facebook fan page and I thought this would be helpful. Just like the constant topic of phones, phone chips and how to top up online. If you missed all those blog posts you can CLICK HERE for cell phone information. Please keep in mind some of the posts might be outdated but the information is relatively the same.
Comments
26 responses to “Dekal Wireless Internet in Jamaica”
thanks for this….will need access, unfortunately, while in vacay in a few weeks. thought I was going to have to go with the all expensive Digi but not now….never noticed the service the last time I was there nor the signal as an option on my laptop….is it fairly new??
Great info
I don’t think it’s super new because I’ve noticed the Dekal network for a couple years and wondered how the hell to get on it LOL!!! Then I learned about it probably 6 months ago but never tried it until this last trip.
I used this service on my last trip – it’s awesome!
That’s great to hear Sandie! The one thing I loved about it is that for about a week after the hurricane they offered FREE internet! When I logged on to the homepage there was an announcement that “in an effort to help people stay in touch after the storm, internet is FREE”. Didn’t have to use my card.
Wow! That was great they provided FREE internet service for people after the hurricane … you don’t find many things free of charge in Jamaica!
Ain’t that the truth!!!
Thanks for the tip Kristi! I will definitely give the Dekal card a try when I’m in Jamaica. Just a few weeks now and I’ll be there!
Enjoy your trip and the internet! It really comes in handy!
Oooooooh this is great news!!! Thanks for the tip because I’m an internet junky. BTW.. have you heard about BBM 7? If you download it you can talk for free to anyone, anywhere, as long as they have a blackberry (and BBM 7)
Talk to as in “on the phone?”
thanks Kristi!
I am totally going to try this when I go there again. I have seen those signs, but didn’t really know what they were. Thank you so much for the tip!!
I’ve never used Dekal before but great to know there’s a reliable service for those of us who must remain connected.
Thanks!
Dekal is great! but unfortunately its not available everywhere on the island. Im curently just outside Port Antonio and dont get the Dekal connection out here so had to resort to digicel (which i cant really complain other then having to buy the wifi modem the internet worked great! been here over a month and no problems yet. *fingers crossed for everyone going that they can get dekal connection if your staying local. 🙂
Thanks for the comment Steen. Yea I’ve found a few sketchy spots for Dekal too but I guess that goes with the territory huh.
Wow! This is awesome. I live in Jamaica and had no idea about this! I’d always seen it pop up on my wifi but had no idea what it is. Way to go, Kristi!
Glad to know I could help!!!
Re the BBM 7, once you and the other person have wifi on your BB, it’s pretty much like making a phone call.
Sort of lost in the idea but what is the closest place to pick one of these up near the Hilton Rose Hall resort in Montego Bay? Any chance of catching a route taxi near there and taking it into town to find one and get around?
Yes if you walk out to the highway right in front of the hotel you can find route taxis. Don’t pay more than a couple hundred Jamaican dollars from there. Most taxi drivers will see a tourist and try to charge you much higher than the real price. The hotel drivers will probably charge you $50 usd lol.
As far as the Dekal cards I’m not sure you’ll find them in the Rose Hall shopping area or not but it’s worth asking in the supermarket or gift shops. If not, you might have to try somewhere in the Ironshore area or just go straight into Montego Bay.
Let me add this information from an e-mail from DEKAL , dated 18. October 2013. The SuperWifi Booster could be helpful, espec when you are in an area with low signal.
If you are using a Wi-Fi compatible device, turn the Wi-Fi on. Look for the network SuperWiFi_Dekal Wireless Jamaica and try to connect, while connecting to the network it is unsecured so you do not need a pass code to make a connection. Having a signal strength of three (3) and more stable bars you will be able to make a connection. After you confirm that you are connected to the network go to the browser on your device and open the web-page. You should see the Dekal Wireless homepage automatically, loading this web-page will take you to our log-in page. After seeing this page you will need one of our Super Wi-Fi prepaid cards to log-in and browse. If you are picking up the signal but the signal strength is weak then we would recommend the Super Wi-Fi Booster.
Our SuperWiFi Booster is a device that will eliminate low, weak signal issues, this is a device that we will install on your premises to improve your internet connection.
A deposit of $4999, this will give you a wired connection. This means that you will get a SuperWiFi Booster placed on your roof and an Ethernet cable which will be plugged into your device. If you need to have wireless connection, then you will have to connect a Wireless Router to the Booster.
No installation fee is required, upon going to the authorized dealer in your area and making the desired deposit, it will take up to 7 working days for the installation to complete.
For the prepaid card the cost is below:
1 day for $197.50+GCT
7 days for $1200+GCT
30 days for $2400+GCT
Thank you for enquiring.
Best regards,
Dekal Wireless Team.
Awesome info Rosi! Thank you 🙂
I live in an area that requires a booster. Treasure beach. I have been using the service for over 3 years now and it has been super great. However this year has been dreadful. I purchase 30 days at a time and on my last one I put my codes in and used it for ten minutes and it went down for a week. Now I only have 22 days left and now it has been working for a week with speeds slower than dial up therefore we can’t even watch amovie. All the ppeople around us have the same problem and are totally frustrated.
That’s frustrating Brenda!
To whom it may concern!
I have just recently returned from a three months stay in Jamaica, staying with my brother in Leith Hall St Thomas. I was appalled to say the least at the extremely poor quality of the internet service we were receiving at the house. My brother is paying good money every month for his internet provision, and the service is so poor – in fact when I left Jamaica on May 25th the service was ‘down’, and my understanding from talking to my brother today, is that it is still down, some two months have passed without the internet.
What on earth is going on????????? My brother has no idea when the service will be restored – pray tell me what is the problem? At this moment I could not recommend your company to any possible customer, particularly people like me thinking of setting up a business in Jamaica.
Hi Lloyd, I’m not Dekal wireless lol. I’m just a blogger who wrote about my experience with it. At the time I used it, it was great and a lifesaver but you’re right, internet in Jamaica in general isn’t the greatest depending where you are. It’s a constant struggle to have good access even when you have it installed in your home.