Rural Broadband

[casingpoint]

Thanks to all for your imput. It is rather confusing what to do next. Cingular has posted a no data limit wireless connection fee of $60 for laptops and tethered devices. That is getting down into the satellite range. Can my desktop computer become a tethered device linked wireless to the net, and what KBS speed can I expect?

[dpatterson]

Cingular Wireless connection speeds will depend on your signal strength, ie your proximity to the closest tower.

The fastest that I have seen a Cingular Wireless card do in a rural area is about 136Kbps. Normally it is around 56k to 100k. I have 85 of these cards that I support everyday. I also have 70 Verizon cards that I support and they are much faster, ~175k.

I would just be very sure that you have good coverage in your area before signing up for a 2 year contract.

Also you can purchase a PCMCIA Card PCI Slot for your pc. This would accomidate the Cingular Wireless Card. If you do this you will want to get an extended antenna that you can place near a window for optimum connection.

[lrb111]

casingpoint, where are you located, maybe i can find you an isp.

[casingpoint]

Thanks, I have a landline ISP at 48K, but am looking for more speed.

[lrb111]

ISP os short for Internet Service Provider. There are a lot more folks providing internet than the cable and phone companies.

[casingpoint]

This recent article in the Washington Post by their tech guy hints that wireless cellphone carrier broadband has arrived. Registration required:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 00034.html

[dpatterson]

I dont know if I would say it has arrived. The big Cell Companies have been fighting for years to acheive this 3G Cellular Data Network. They have it, but its only in very few cities. Plus dont ever plan on seeing something like this from a Cellular Company in a Rural area. Its not going to happen.

[casingpoint]

I was thinking it would work where my Cingular cell phone does, but apparently it uses some other technology and is so far confined to urban areas. I ain't movin' back in town for the internet. I'm gonna bring that sob to me at high speed somehow. So much for wishful thinking. Back to getting the cable tv people to extend the line or satellite.

[dpatterson]

Cingular uses several different Techniologies on their Data Network. In some rural areas you may have wireless service but not data.

TDMA = Analog - Will not support Data
GSM = Digital Voice Protocol
GPRS = Digital Data - Speeds up to 128k (really about 84k).. Their 2G.
EDGE = Digital Data - Speeds up to 256k (really about 128k) Their 2.5G
UTMS = Digital Data - Speeds up to 384K, never used this one... Their 3G

Sounds like they are skipping over UTMS to do this more WIFI like broadband.

Any local companies offering wireless? We have a guy in town that does this. Works for several miles...

[KD5NRH]

I’m looking for wireless or landline technology that would move a broadband cable at it’s last available location about one-third of a mile to my house. Both the local cable TV company and the telephone company offer broadband service to that point but won’t bring it any father.

Talk to your local hams and other geeks. If you've got access to the line where it stops, and AC power there, a $60 wireless router and a pair of good antennas should be able to do 1/3mi with no problem as long as you can get the antennas within line-of-sight of each other.

[KBCraig]

Here's what you need:

http://www.apple.com/iphone



Think Blackberry, Palm Pilot, iPod, and cell phone all rolled into one, running on MacOS X.

[Crossfire]

Talk to your local hams and other geeks. If you've got access to the line where it stops, and AC power there, a $60 wireless router and a pair of good antennas should be able to do 1/3mi with no problem as long as you can get the antennas within line-of-sight of each other.

Ya know... I kinda think the cable company MIGHT have a problem with you attaching a wireless router to THEIR cable and broadcasting wireless internet for everyone in the neighborhood.

Just a thought.

[KD5NRH]

Ya know... I kinda think the cable company MIGHT have a problem with you attaching a wireless router to THEIR cable and broadcasting wireless internet for everyone in the neighborhood.

If that was the case, then every ISP would have a prohibition on connecting a wireless network to their network.

For a stable connection at 1/3mi, the antennas would likely need to be somewhat directional, and anyone who doesn't want their network abused will have at least some security on it. That's hardly "broadcasting it to the whole neighborhood."

[Crossfire]

Maybe I don't understand what you are suggesting. Feel free to enlighten me.

As I read this, you are saying that it is OK for someone, who is not a cable subscriber, to tap into the local cable company's line, install a router and help themself to some free internet service.

Are you describing something different?

[KD5NRH]

As I read this, you are saying that it is OK for someone, who is not a cable subscriber, to tap into the local cable company's line, install a router and help themself to some free internet service.[

He would need to pay them for the service, of course, but once he's paid for his connection, they shouldn't have any problem with him extending that service to whereever his computer is located.

Since there is likely some sort of protection on the cable company's internet service, just plugging in the router without subscribing would be unlikely to do any good.