B787 Dreamliner Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
We were cruising at 39;000 feet over the ocean at when we got ACARS reports of severe turbulence ahead. We had been airborne six or seven hours at this point. WSI (Weather Services International) and the weather charts we looked at before we flew had a patch of severe turbulence depicted north of our route. The pilot monitoring used all available resources to analyze the situation and decided on a course of action. He called Dispatch via SATCOM; San Francisco Radio via HF; referenced paper weather charts printed before we left; and conferred with me. He plotted text reports onto oceanic chart; and told Flight Attendants to use 'Severe Turbulence procedures'. We got clearance and descended to 28;000 feet; went through a short period of moderate turbulence and then climbed up gradually to 39;000 feet.  No ill effects from turbulence were noted other than increased fuel burn. The timely ACARS messages were crucial in helping us avoid the severe turbulence.  For some reason; the B787 does not have Wi-Fi nor can the Ipad receive a location signal in the B787.  These work fine in the A320 fleet. Having Wi-Fi and thus WSI would have helped tremendously with prior anticipation and situational awareness especially on these long haul flights. Furthermore; it is very difficult and cumbersome to read and interpret textual coordinate messages in all caps while flying; with hands on the controls anticipating severe turbulence. I recommend flight deck Wi-Fi for all fleets.
An Air Carrier pilot reported the lack of wifi capability on the B787 greatly hinders the crews' access to important information while flying over the ocean.