24hr (almost anywhere) Internet access

[Numbknots]

If anyone is interested? I am using a Verizon Aircard to access the internet using wireless Cell coverage on my laptop. speed in the PNW is about twice that of dial-up. I am typing this while on a trip to KC where Verizon has rolled out "Broadband serice" on their wireless towers. They expect Broadband coverage in the PNW by end of June!! Pretty sweet. A little pricey $80 month, but pretty nice to get connected anywhere there is access to Verizon towers.

The Broadband speed is comparable with DSL with the aid of their caching/compression software.

Tim

[cwarren]

It's nice to see broadband wireless becoming much more wide spread. As a less expensive solution, but much slower in speed (about 40kb/s), I connect my laptop to my cell phone via a bluetooth connection. I can get coverage in most areas. I look forward to something that is faster once the competition increases and the prices drop.

I've got a cable I use on my old Motorola StarTac that lets me connect via Verizon's cell network. I only get about 19.2kbps, but since it's free... what the heck.

Besides... for $80/mo plus roaming and taxes... I don't think they shouldn't be able to call that broadband at the rates they're selling.


we offer NationalAccess wireless Internet service at average speeds of 60-80 kbps. Speed claim based on our network tests with 5 MB FTP data files, without compression. Actual throughput speed and coverage will vary.

That's just barely outside the data throughput of a good quality dial-up modem. (56kbps) :(

cwarren: I think the 40kbps you're seeing, is the data rate between the PC and the phone's Bluetooth connection. I suspect you're actually getting about half that speed in real data stream. Bluetooth doesn't speed anything up, just allows you to lose the silly cable. Great feature though... and free. :)

[Numbknots]

SS,

The broadband is average 200-400kbs, about half of the average that I get with DSL, the burst speeds are as much as 2mps. Their compression software seems to average it out somewhat.

There is no Roaming or longdistance charges anywhere in the USA at the (high) $80 month.

The convenience is awesome though. The good part is it is "just another" phone number and if you don't want to use the service (if you already have a 'family share" plan as I do, you can de-activate the card and reactivate another Verizon card for $9.95 a month.

We will see how practical it is and hope for more competition and a certain price drop! (Gotta love the Free enterprise system and the good ole USA!)

Oh and by the way I am using someone elses "unprotected broadband connection" Life is good

Tim

[cwarren]

No, the 40kb/sec is actual sustained thorouput. Latency is pretty bad though. The phone thinks it's connected at 128kb/sec. Naturally, Bluetooth is not going to speed the connection to the internet up, it's just a convenient way of connecting the phone to the laptop.

[SPUD]

Tim,

I've had the service for about 6 months now and love it too.

Spud

[Numbknots]

Seems as for my life I am so dependent on the internet for communications that to be without is like an addict without a fix? As for speed, after experiencing cable/DSL/T1 anything less is slow. I am hooked on the convenience and am sure that in short order as was with dial-up the user base will demand faster speed and we will get it.

Can't wait to check out the coverage on the water in the Sound.

I will be traveling back to the PNW tomorrow and darn with the rain we got here today, I thought I might be able to rent a speed boat like yours Spud and cruise back.

Tim