WiMax Philadelphia

[elfreth]

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

[MikePenn]

Also in Seattle and there is a temp set up in New Orleans

[niel]

So does this mean Baltimore beat Philly to the punch in the citywide wireless race?

[elfreth]

yes

[wilreynolds]

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.

[elfreth]

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.

[MikePenn]

WiMAX Technology

[wilreynolds]

elfreth thanks for setting me straight on that!

[elfreth]

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

[raider.adam]

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?

[wilreynolds]

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.

[raider.adam]

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?

[eldondre]

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.

[raider.adam]

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.

[elfreth]

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

[mtr]

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.

[Jayfar]

Not available in my block of Bainbridge according to the Clear website tool.

[Arbor]

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).