Posted on 02/11/2005 3:44:37 PM PST by kerrywearsbotox
Chicago, IL, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- The latest wireless mobile computing technology, called WiMax, is gaining momentum at a rapid clip. WiMax will help bridge the gap between wireless fidelity and wireless telecom networks, giving mobile computer users free, or cheap, wireless access across many miles of terrain, not just inside the office or at a WiFi hot spot, such as a Starbucks or a Kinko's store.Major companies, including Lucent Technologies, Nortel, Cisco and Huawei Technologies, are moving forward with projects in the WiMax market -- known formally as Metropolitan Broadband Fixed, Portable and Mobile Applications -- and new commercial products may be available as soon as this summer, experts told UPI's Wireless World."There is going to be a convergence of WiFi and WiMax," said Dave Sorrells, chief technology officer at ParkerVision, a technology company in Jacksonville, Fla.
That's good. My parents who live on a farm may finally get some broadband in a few years. For some reason this article says the line of sight operation is limited to 10-15 miles but I've always seen it to be at least double that.
That's good 'cause I bought lucent at $3.75 and it's been trading around $3.20.
It's almost time to short cellphone companies and Verizon, et al.
VOiP will almost completely usurp the telephone as we know it within five years.
I just got my VoIP service installed. With my Internet connection, I can not tell much of a difference in quality between the new service and the regular phone service I had.
The big difference is that I will be saving hundreds of dollars a year in phone bills, and that's a good thing.
I've been hearing about this for some time, and still nothing. What's taking them so long?
I use Vonage, but Lingo has Europe and Asia deals for less than $50.00 a month, unlimited minutes! I think the Vonage services are slightly better. If that changes (and if they add my countries to the Asia deal), I'd switch in a minute. The great thing about VOiP is that you can switch literally in a couple minutes with no complications.
My point about WiMax is that down the road you'll need only a handheld computer running VOiP software (like Vonage's SoftPhone), and you'll no longer need a cellphone at all.
Add a universal directory (GoogleFone, anyone?) and you won't even need phone numbers anymore, although that's a longer transition.
The price of long distance will collapse to virtually zero if not free. "GoogleFone" advertisers will subsidize the cost of running a (cheap) international VOiP network.
Never happen. Still have to pay for the Spanish-American War, don't you know!
802.16
Informative post--maybe the next telecom wave. Thanks.
Right. Most of my phone bills have what amounts to about 15 percent taxes and surcharges. Governments will hate to give those up to VOiP.
But take a look at this, from Lingo:
Lingo Unlimited Asia $34.95/mo
Unlimited long distance calling to anywhere in the U.S., Canada, UK and many Asian countries* any time, day or night
Asian subscription includes calls from Lingo subscriber to UK, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Korea and Guam. Plus, all the Advanced and Basic Features
No phone adapter?
By the way, I just got Vonage too, and it seems to do rather well. The telecom companies better be scrambling and getting clever right now because if they don't think of something revolutionary, their days are numbered.
It's not even really a "telephone" in the way we normally think of one.
It's a handheld computer that does WiFi and runs a VOiP program (like Vonage's SoftPhone). Vonage is supposed to sell it this summer. Only problem is you need a WiFi signal for it to work. Great for Starbucks and your living room, not so good if you're on the highway fixing a flat.
AT&T was sold two weeks ago. I'd give Verizon 5 years max.
Me like.
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