Chicagoist: Sprint, Clearwire WiMax-ing Out

sasper

Thu, 08 May 2008 18:07:24 -0600

Prattfall is right -- the service definitely is not free. It's already being used out on the west coast (LA, Seattle) where Clearwire is based. They currently don't have the devices available to plug into your Laptop, but they should be available soon. Speeds will be comparable with Cable & DSL, but you won't be tethered down. Also, you'll be able to connect your home desktop, wireless laptop, and whatever other devices you have to the internet with no fanagaling of any sort. Pretty cool idea, and it looks like the investors agreed.

prattfall

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:29:49 -0600

Sprint did a demo for the press last August. This is being positioned as a competitor to cable modems/DSL, but since its not tied to a fixed location, they're talking smart devices, too, like the EEE PC, Macbook Air, Nokia N810. I think its *really* safe to say the service won't be free.

smussy

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:54:00 -0600

okay, in the trib article, it still doesn't mention price. also, it gets me actually creeped out, talking about a washing machine that can talk to its manufacturer. is this just another weird way to monitor us and stuff? man, i'm so conflicted. i'm such a techno whore, and i'm also such a conspiracy theorist. what's a grrl to do?!

smussy

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:51:45 -0600

can someone speak to this concept for me? i just went on wiki, but is this a free thing or not? i keep hearing about how chicago is going to get free "wifi/wimax/wiwhatever" and all that, but i can't get a grip on this. i mean, you can pay for a 'sprint card' already, and pretty much get wifi wherever right now. so what's the dif? and are macs wimaxed?