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Up the Broadband Creek Without a Signal |
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Written by Kory Mohr
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Monday, 11 July 2005 |
Amended from ConsumerAffairs (perhaps the writer should have checked out the WISP Directory):
Al Gore took a lot of heat for his slightly inflated version of his
role in the Internet's beginnings but, whatever else you may say about
it, the previous Administration at least appeared to be trying to
jump-start the Internet. The current masters of the universe seem to
think the "invisible hand of the marketplace" will cause broadband to
sprout like kudzu throughout the land, without (or in spite of)
needless interference from government.
Fixed Wireless
Unlike the Verizon wireless card, some wireless broadband providers
offer what's called "fixed wireless" -- meaning it's not mobile. This
involves line-of-sight microwave transmission. Translation: towers. If
you are lucky enough to have such a service in your area, it may be the
answer if you are in its primary coverage area and don't have trees,
mountains or other obstructions blocking the signal path. It can work
well, we're told. We were not able to find any services we could test
but we heard from one consumer who's quite happy with her experience.
"We had satellite-based Starband, but found it slow and stupid about
multiple users," said Catherine of Sparks, Nevada. "So we got wireless
broadband from Amigo and we are very happy with it."
"The thing is that we essentially have a personal ISP -- the guy who
runs our area for Amigo.net knows us, our tech needs and is very
responsive (unlike our prior DSL experience elsewhere with Verizon).
Reminds me of when we used to have our power from a rural electric coop
-- a much friendlier experience!" |
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