WiMAX looks better than FiOS, Cable, DSL and 3G networks

The year's just about over and everyone's making their predictions and resolutions for 2009. Naturally, you've also got those who reflect on the events of the past year. GigaOM made an interesting list called "10 Stories That Define Broadband in 2008". It's a good list that mobile broadband makes frequent appearances on. What really stuck out to me was this lil chart showing the popularity of WiMAX:

As you can see, North America has the 2nd to least amount of commercial WiMAX networks in the world. If you take a step back and glance around a bit, you'll also notice that the United States has fallen from the #4 spot for broadband penetration to #24 in the world.

Umm...That's huge.

What does it all mean though? If you hit the zoom out button on Google Earth a bit more, you'll see that you're looking at a nation that's neglected to keep pace with the world not just in broadband infrastructure, but infrastructure period. Who's to blame? Hmm, a war that costs 1.2 trillion maybe. But then again, sometimes we need a little help in understanding what 1.2 trillion dollars could buy.

Is there hope?

In one word, yes.

President-Elect Barack Obama is exploring just about everything that could work to turn this around. Among the solutions is a stimulus package of sorts for broadband providers. Naturally, they're lined up to get it. The only problem here is that their self-serving tendency vs. providing the actual consumer with fair service.

Now if we could just agree on what broadband actually is , maybe we can get somewhere.

Here's my take: 

WiMAX is looking the most promising of all broadband (and mobile broadband) prospects that are available. While it's not as fast as Verizon FiOS service, it's decent, allows for mobility, and for the time being claims to be unlimited without major restrictions on what you can do with it.

If Sprint & Clearwire can pull off a nationwide network, continue to increase capacity and speed, while keeping restrictions down to a minimum then we'll see net innovations grow. Yes, P2P usage will rise, but just as how the music industry must embrace mp3 and do away with their CD/album model, media moguls of all kinds must adapt to the changing landscape.

More power to net neutrality in 2009.

Unlimited Internet for Businesses, $75 via WiMAX [Xohm]

Xohm aka WiMAX aka Clearwire & Sprint's 4G service is gonna offer businesses unlimited use with download speeds of 6 Mbps and uploads of 1 Mbps for $75.

I'd pay it.

via MuniWireless

Cancel Sprint without $200 fee [ETF]

BGR put an alert out:

"Subscribers are free to exit based on Sprint’s decision to raise their non-government mandated administrative fee from $.50-.$75."

It comes into effect January 1st 2009. In other words, you've got 2 days. If you're not sure how to go about it, you need to sign up today for the free E-Course "Wireless Broadband Exposed". The 2nd lesson covers how to get out of contracts.

Because it's a lesson a day, you'd get lesson 1 today and lesson 2 tomorrow. Who wants to pay $200 to cut ties with a carrier anyway? Hop to it my friend.

Happy New Year!

Verizon Leaves AT&T in the dust of Phoenix, Arizona

Kevin over at jkOnTheRun decided to run a quick test. Verizon's EVDO vs. AT&T's HSDPA. The no holds barred brawl took place in the dusty sands of Phoenix, Arizona (more like in his air-conditioned hotel room actually).

The mighty warriors who stepped forward were Verizon's USB727 and AT&T's USB Quicksilver. Not living up to it's name, the Quicksilver lost in downlink, uplink and ping. The USB727 came triumphant with DSL speeds.

via jkOnTheRun

Haters attack Sprint/Clearwire's WiMAX

Yes. They're haters. Why?

Sprint didn't start working on WiMAX yesterday. They've been pretty public about their decision to pursue WiMAX with major blockades and obstacles along the way for years. All of a sudden when things are finally going off without a hitch,

BAM, a lawsuit that could cost Sprint the $3 million to $5 million it spent to build out the network magically appears. If someone steals your stuff...and you see them stealing your stuff...do you wait 2 years to call the police?

Verizon pours $155 million into Florida's network

More coverage and better redundancy for all 3G fans out there. Seems like more justification as to why they got ranked the #1 mobile broadband carrier this year. Now if only they'd ease up off that 3G cap we could think about replacing our hard wire connections at home. You know, sorta like how 18% of you only have cell phones? Same thing but for internet connections.

via North Florida News Daily

Add this to your Christmas Wishlist

LG is working on a little thing they like to call Transmissive Reflective LCDs. Just what the heck is that?

Well most laptops are backlit (especially the ever-so-popular glossy screens). Because of that, they work great indoors. As you've probably had the pleasure of noticing, the second some light from a window sneaks in, you can't see a thing.

Reflective LCDs would fix that. They use natural light. Now the whole transmissive reflective thing works inside and out.

Just think! Whizzin around outside with your convertible multi-touch tablet and actually being able to see! Let's face it, if you're using mobile broadband...you're..err...gonna be mobile right?

Add that to my Christmas Wishlist.

Wireless Broadband on Bullet Trains & Buses

Woke up this morning with the daily routine. Log into Google Reader to answer one ever perplexing ever relevant question:

What's happening?

Sometimes I feel like going all Deepak Chopra with it and ask:

What's really happening?

Well, our friends across the pond who are always getting everything technological before us are getting Wireless Broadband on bullet trains. Convenient stuff eh? ...but wait a minute here. In the sleepy capitol of Florida, we've got WiFi on certain bus routes. I feel so technologically advanced! Thing is, I don't think I'd ever be on a bus to really make any good use of it though. Bus rides don't get too long around these parts.

Well, I suppose it'd be handy if I wanted to use WiFi on my phone instead of 3G. It's faster I suppose.

Guess we're not always so behind huh?

Sprint Launches Dual 3G/4G Modem

How cool is that?

Hop between 3G and WiMAX at will or automatically. Find the full specs here.

AT&T Tests Higher Speed 3G in Chicago

AT&T has a pretty good track record of investing in their infrastructure. As we stated earlier this year, they were working on having 7.2 Mbps download speeds. Word has it those tests are currently underway in the windy city.

Perhaps the sexiest part is this:

"Interestingly, though, Siegel did say AT&T Mobility is testing 7.2 megabit per second download speeds in Chicago, adding that those speeds could soon increase to 14.4 Mbps or higher.

 That would be just so frickin awesome...if not for the current 5 GB cap on data usage. They're really gonna need to ease up off this thing. It's like you've got a 10 mile stretch of road. You keep getting newer cars that can go faster...only to run out of road even quicker. Do they enjoy watching us race up to these caps they've set faster and faster? Sick game AT&T...sick game indeed...

Fix It.

The Definitive Coast-To-Coast 3G Data Test

So the guys over at Gizmodo has what they're calling the Definitive Coast-To-Coast 3G Data Test. They compared the networks of Sprint, Verizon and AT&T (T-Mobile's 3G network is too tiny and Alltel got bought out by Verizon).

"The USB dongles we used for testing were typical 3G cards from the carriers: AT&T's Sierra USBConnect 881, Sprint's Sierra Wireless Compass 597 and Verizon Wireless's Novatel USB727

A quick sum-up of the results shows Sprint being the fastest for downloading while AT&T being the fastest for uploading. Guess they'll have to scrap the part of their commercials that keep toting "the fastest 3G network"...coming to think of it, Verizon was kinda doing the same thing too...

Pretty cool to know that they more or less re-confirmed the rankings of the 2008 Wireless Broadband Service Comparison. One time for Sprint doing something right. Despite all the bad press they get, I've got a grandfathered unlimited 3G plan with them that gets excellent speeds.

It's been my primary connection for months and it's going great.

Hope it stays that way.

Question of the Day

This question comes from Shar:

"Would any of the cards you have reviewed also work in Ireland and Sweden (I am planning a trip there in August). Thanks - Your site is GREAT!!!"

Thanks for kudos Shar. Feedback is great and appreciation is always welcome. Glad to here you're traveling.

I did a little digging to find the answer to your question and here's what I found. AT&T has roaming agreements for data across the globe.



With AT&T, you can get data coverage in both countries on a number of carriers. Here's where you can find specific rates and coverage for Ireland and Sweden. Upon checking the cards that AT&T are currently selling, the GT Ultra Express is capable of working on the networks in those countries. For a video/text review of 3 places where you can get it from check here.

Hope this helps!

Alltel expands EVDO Revision A network in Kansas

As we spoke about in an earlier post, Alltel is rolling out EVDO Revision A in numerous places.

Wichita, Kansas also gets to hop on the 3G high speed bandwagon. As we said before, speeds are expected to go from EVDO Revision 0 speeds of 400-700 kbps to 600-1400 kbps on the downlink.

That's about twice the speed while price remains the same (phew).

via BusinessWire

Alltel's rolls out faster EVDO Rev. A in Texas

As we spoke about in an earlier post, Alltel is rolling out EVDO Revision A in numerous places. One such recent addition is in Texas. Speeds are expected to go from EVDO Revision 0 speeds of 400-700 kbps to 600-1400 kbps on the downlink. Around double the speed.

via TMCnet.com

Alltel Upgrading 3G Network to EVDO Rev. A

Falling right on the heels of an announced Verizon-Alltel merger, the 5th largest nationwide carrier has announced that it is upgrading its 3G network from EVDO Revision 0 to EVDO Revision A. Of course that only makes sense to do if they're really talking about merging the networks. To see how that puts them on par with Sprint and Verizon, compare the mobile broadband carriers.


Just what will become of Sprint who currently has a 10 year roaming contract with Alltel? Stay tuned...

details via informationweek

Verizon Wireless 3G network to cover all of North Carolina

Verizon Wireless is investing $75 million dollars into the North Carolina marketplace to make voice and data service better.

"With this investment Verizon reportedly now covers approximately 30,345 square miles across the state". The goal is to cover the entire state of North Carolina.

Seems like a good time for Verizon Wireless Broadband users!

Via tradingmarkets.com

Senators talk on 5-year ban on higher cell phone taxes

What does this have to do with Mobile Broadband you say? Just about EVERYTHING!!! I for one and loving this. It's pretty simple. Just about every company that provides mobile broadband is a cell phone company. They view broadband cards as cell phones that can only transfer data and no voice. End result? If this bill gets passed that means no higher taxes for 5 years.

Oh...you're still stuck with your current high taxes though. Click through for details.

Senators propose 5-year ban on higher cell phone taxes

T-Mobile with a 3G network by October?

Excitement is in the air for T-Mobile users (and fans) as they announced having tests of their 3G network by the summer. Sure enough they pulled it off in New York. No confirmation on how fast the speeds were yet. There are rumors floating around that they may go live nationwide by October 1st. If the speed is up to snuff, then it looks like Sprint's churn rate is gonna go even higher from capping their unlimited plan.

via Boy Genius Report

Commercial WiMax Launches in September in Baltimore

I'm personally pumped up about this. I have a feeling Sprint may be able to walk the path of light was more...or maybe the path of a matchlight at least. WiMax for the average joe in Baltmore this September. That's just around the corner. What will the pricing be like? It has to be competitive with mobile broadband prices and definitely cable/DSL prices.

It seems like they're aiming to have a nationwide launch by the end of the year. Just about when AT&T will be done making their mega 7.2Mbps upgrades to their 3G network.

The Mobile Broadband Showdown Begins!

Via WNN

3G: AT&T 3G Coverage Maps Updated

The guys over at Gizmodo got word that AT&T has updated it's 3G coverage maps. Maybe it's time for another review of their coverage. Surprise surprise, just in time for a 3G Iphone. They must be making some mega bucks.

Via - Gizmodo

AT&T has the fastest 3G Network?

While Sprint boasts the largest mobile broadband network, AT&T is claiming the fastest. With investing mega bucks into their 3G network, it was a prediction made at Mobile-Broadband-Reviews.com in their review of networks' speeds. Their footprint continues to increase and by the end of the year, they will be the fastest by far (7.2 Mbps). Check out the link for the details. 


via ComputerWorld

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Wondering which provider to get? Take a survey

There's an interesting little tool over at mobile-broadband-reviews
that gives a recommendation on which mobile broadband provider to choose. After about 11 or so questions it gives you a result. You can also do some more research on it if you're not convinced on the site.

Check it out here.

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