Philadelphia Speaks  Forum - Neighborhoods, Sports, Restaurants and more  

Go Back   Philadelphia Speaks Forum - Neighborhoods, Sports, Restaurants and more > Life in Philadelphia > Technology

Technology General tech talk forum, newest gadgets, mobile phones, etc, all goes here.


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 01-17-2009, 07:10 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: BFB
Posts: 274
Default WiMax Philadelphia

Currently in Baltimore; "In the works: Chicago, Dallas/Ft Worth, Boston, Providence, Philadelphia and Washington DC"

XOHM: Learn

WiMax launch in Baltimore is key for Sprint - Digital Home- msnbc.com
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 01-17-2009, 08:58 PM
0000000
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,950
Default

Also in Seattle and there is a temp set up in New Orleans
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 01-18-2009, 10:08 AM
PB transplant
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Fairmount
Posts: 898
Default

So does this mean Baltimore beat Philly to the punch in the citywide wireless race?
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 01-18-2009, 10:52 AM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: BFB
Posts: 274
Default

yes
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 01-18-2009, 11:57 AM
Administrator
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 322
Default

I would go for it in a heartbeat anything to minimize the comcast stronghold in this city. Especially with comcast battling Verizon's FIOS getting in here too.

So does this require some kind of special card in mt laptop? if it does that might be the ONLY reason I don't change.
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 01-18-2009, 12:37 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: BFB
Posts: 274
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by wilreynolds View Post
I would go for it in a heartbeat anything to minimize the comcast stronghold in this city. Especially with comcast battling Verizon's FIOS getting in here too.

So does this require some kind of special card in mt laptop? if it does that might be the ONLY reason I don't change.
you will need the hardware to receive the signal; sample:
"The XOHM ExpressCard connects your laptop to the internet and extends your service beyond hotspots. Use it anywhere in the XOHM coverage area. $59.99 (excludes taxes) "


FIOS has been in the city for several years. I have it at home, and it has just become available in my building.

The 'battle' is in providing TV on Fios, not internet connections.

Last edited by elfreth; 01-18-2009 at 12:39 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 01-18-2009, 12:38 PM
0000000
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,950
Default

WiMAX Technology
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 01-18-2009, 12:40 PM
Administrator
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 322
Default

elfreth thanks for setting me straight on that!
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 01-18-2009, 12:49 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: BFB
Posts: 274
Default

I think a better comparison is with options like verizons broadband mobile data services. Similar in it being available while in trains, cars, buses, etc since you don't lose hotspots every hundred meters. It is faster and cheaper.

Article on getting Wimax on a train:
World's first? Wimax for train commuters | Blog | 1976design.com
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 01-18-2009, 02:13 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Sharswood
Posts: 5,218
Default

Actually, Comcast is looking to implement WiMax service as well.

As for the other important part, it didn't involve the government getting involved it seems. How much money did Philly piss away on the Wi fi project?
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Old 01-19-2009, 02:06 PM
Administrator
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 322
Default

I can't knock the wi-fi project for a second. I think we all get sick of how non-innovative our government can be, and this time they tried something and it kinda failed. I will actually be participating in some brainstorms around what to do with the project - I'll keep you guys posted.
Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Old 01-19-2009, 02:24 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Sharswood
Posts: 5,218
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by wilreynolds View Post
I can't knock the wi-fi project for a second. I think we all get sick of how non-innovative our government can be, and this time they tried something and it kinda failed. I will actually be participating in some brainstorms around what to do with the project - I'll keep you guys posted.
Kinda failed?
Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 01-19-2009, 04:02 PM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,632
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by raider.adam View Post
Actually, Comcast is looking to implement WiMax service as well.

As for the other important part, it didn't involve the government getting involved it seems. How much money did Philly piss away on the Wi fi project?
Comcast should buy sprint. Sprint desperately needs capital to upgrade their aging networks and roll out projects like this. Actually, I could be mistaken, but I think Philly contributed very little to the wifi project, just giving free use of the light poles. Perhaps that's where their innovation lay, not in pissing away money on this misguided project that failed everywhere else. it may end up working, now that earthlink took the loss on the costs.
Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
Old 01-19-2009, 04:14 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Sharswood
Posts: 5,218
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by eldondre View Post
Comcast should buy sprint. Sprint desperately needs capital to upgrade their aging networks and roll out projects like this. Actually, I could be mistaken, but I think Philly contributed very little to the wifi project, just giving free use of the light poles. Perhaps that's where their innovation lay, not in pissing away money on this misguided project that failed everywhere else. it may end up working, now that earthlink took the loss on the costs.
You are correct, the City didn't take a loss on the actual network as far as I know. I was referring to a lot of the cursory stuff the City did.

And yes, I am extremely happy Philly at least dodged the bullet by not running the system themselves and investing directly into it.

As for it working, I am still skeptical. At least not on the level initially intended or without upgrades.
Reply With Quote
  #15 (permalink)  
Old 01-19-2009, 04:41 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: BFB
Posts: 274
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by raider.adam View Post
You are correct, the City didn't take a loss on the actual network as far as I know. I was referring to a lot of the cursory stuff the City did.
including city workers getting paid to waste time on the project
Reply With Quote
  #16 (permalink)  
Old 10-10-2009, 05:13 PM
mtr mtr is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2
Default Anyone using WiMax yet?

Apparently WiMax is now available in Philly:
Clearwire Launches WiMAX in Philadelphia

The signup site, Clear.com, says 6Mbps (download) service is $45/mo, starting at $22.50/mo for the first six months. You also need to buy an $80 modem. There are also slower/cheaper services available, mobile services, voice bundles, etc.

I'd be interested in hearing reports on indoor reception, particular in South Philly.
Reply With Quote
  #17 (permalink)  
Old 10-10-2009, 08:44 PM
Jayfar's Avatar
Junior Old Fart
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Christian St West
Posts: 576
Default

Not available in my block of Bainbridge according to the Clear website tool.
__________________
“I am indeed well aware of the history of Conventional [sic] Hall, both globally and locally, and can assure you that we are carefully exploring avenues for its future.” -- Penn President Amy Gutmann 5 days before demolition began.
Reply With Quote
  #18 (permalink)  
Old 10-10-2009, 10:05 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 195
Default

I'm seriously considering getting it. I did the math, and it's actually cheaper in the long run to buy the modem and only subscribe month-to-month, rather than committing to a 2-year contract.

Their return policy allows you to return everything within 7 days, so I'm going to use those 7 days to test its speed in the places I plan on using it (my bedroom, my living room and kitchen, the library, a nearby park, etc).
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Friends


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:30 AM.


© 2008 Philadelphia Speaks.com
 Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0