The era of the McDonald's WiMAX phone could be here very soon.
Posted on 12/06/2004 11:51:56 AM PST by BJClinton
It really remains to be seen if voice grade services could be supported by Wi-Max and then you have 911 service requirements. If you transport voice then at some point the regulators will get involved.
Hell, I'd just like something that would replace currently wireless coverage so that I could get contiguous coverage on my cell phone. Being able to have wireless internet throughout an entire market would be wiked cool too though. I would have a laptop with me at all times.
There's a modification to Linksys WiFi routers which sets up an impromptu telephone network between in-range routers. If Linksys just included and activated that as a feature, possibly promoting it thru WalMart et al, the "just happened" network would not be subject to regulation (like requiring 911 support).
It's a disruptive technology waiting to happen, providing national telephone & internet support for free (reliability not quite as assured, but then again compare Windows to Linux).
"I would love to ditch SBC."
Give AT+T Call Advantage and Vonage a look. If you have broadband at home, you can ditch SBC today for your home service.
The era of the McDonald's WiMAX phone could be here very soon.
But I want cheap service. Time Warner wants $40 a month. I don't need any features, just local service.
Not meaning to debate minutia, but the dot belly-up occured in 2000.
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"Would you like WiMax with those fries sir?"
It doesn't matter, it's still Bush's fault...
"But I want cheap service."
I pay $49.95 for broadband cable from Time Warner. I pay $29.99 for unlimited local and long distance to Voange. I pay nothing to SBC who is the LEC in my area. ~$80 for broadband internet and phone. I used to pay $19.95 for dial-up ISP and my phone bill ranged from $50 - $100.
Over the course of the year, I probably break about even but have MUCH better internet service. I switched to Voange just to justify the broadband internet. Were it not for 911, I would have no phone at all. I would just use my cell phone.
What do you think of the quality of Vonage's service?
"What do you think of the quality of Vonage's service?"
I have had zero voice quality issues - which is typically where you would have problems w/ VoIP running on a public network. This is more a function of my network connectivity than Vonage themselves.
Have not had any customer service or billing problems either.
I worked for AT&T for 5 years and dealt with their disasterous attempt at VOIP. Of course, that's AT&T, they rarely miss an opportunity to screw -up.
I am far too connected. I have:
2 phone lines, one for voice/one for fax
Basic cable for TV
High speed cable internet
2 cell phones
XM radio
It would sure be nice if someone could offer me one package for all my connectivity.
bump
Hmmm.... I smell money. (but I'm Jewish, so that's no surprise.).
Whoever can figure out the winning business model for this in advance, is going to *ca$h in*...
It might not be the providers, either - they may end up giving it away... it could be whoever licenses the protocols, or whoever provides the software and then leases ad space, or whatever... hmmm...
The thing I love about Wal-Mart, as the article states, is their penchant for cheapness.
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