Truly fast wireless Web access is near
I’m not talking about Wi-Fi, although it can be part of the equation. What most people have now are local area networks (LANs) that receive an Internet feed over a wire from wide area network (WAN) providers (Cable, phone company, Fiber/FIOS, Satellite, you name it).
This is 100% wireless Web access. No wired connections like you need for cable, DSL, satellite or fiber/FIOS.
So far, currently popular 3G cellular (UMTS, EV-DO) networks are speedy – but they’re not even close to wired data WAN speeds. OK speeds for cell phones. But Sprint’s “turbo-charged” Clearwire 4G WiMAX network is up and running.
Introduced last year in Baltimore, their 4G Internet data network offers blazingly fast up and download speeds. I’ve tested the system a number of times and I’m very impressed. When 4G gets to New York I’ll be the first on line to sign-up.
Just so you know, Verizon and most others are also busy building their own 4G data system using the LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard.
Sprint currently offers 4G/WiMAX service in Baltimore and will officially launch 4G in Portland, Atlanta and Las Vegas in this month. Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Seattle are slated to be Sprint 4G cities by the end of this year.
But today’s announcement is what’s so appealing. Sprint’s two new Mobile Broadband Router products connect multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices at 3G or 4G mobile broadband speeds where those fast networks are available.
Sprint Personal Hotspot PHS300S (up to 4 simultaneous Wi-Fi connections) and Cradlepoint MBR-1000 Broadband Router for business (up to 15 connections) handle 3G/4G data via plug-in modules. The devices change 4G from outdoors into Wi-Fi indoors. You can simultaneously connect Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones, laptops, MP3 players, cameras, gaming devices and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices at 4G network speeds.
The Personal Hotspot retails for $159.99. The Router retails for $249.99. Monthly high-speed data plan charges range from $39.99 to $79.99 per month (plus tax and tip).
What do you pay for slower, wired Internet access?