Verizon Wireless is launching a nation-wide, broadband wireless network. It has been testing in San Diego and Washington D.C. since October and word is that they plan to have all of the country's major markets covered by the end of 2004. Currently, outside of SD and DC, you still get service, but at speeds of 40-60kbps. The braodband network, when you're in it, boasts speeds of 300-600kbps with bursts up to 2.4mbps.
Wow! Would this be cool for me or what?
Problem is, it comes with a price tag of $80/mo. + a $150 PC card. Currently my wireless solutions run me about $20/mo, but I have to be in very specific places. I don't know that 4 times that amount per month is worth the felxibility of having it virtually anywhere.
But it sure would be cool as hell.
Edit to add: Of course, I could always go satellite for $99/mo. ;-)
Also, was it typical modem speeds or broadband?
I loved being almost anywhere and able to hop on and do some online work. I was working on my degree via the net while driving, so it was used alot for that, plus just chatting and such via yahoo.
Yeah, its spendy, but it helped me keep my sanity :D
http://www.sprintbroadband.com
http://www.sprint.com/business/products/phoneCategories/connectionCards.jsp
And, I don't think they've got a plan that will suit me. Their most liberal plan is a 300M limit for $100/mo. If I was just a web surfer that'd be suitable but I'm a downloader, I'd blow that in a few days :).
I found out in my searching that my cell phone company, Nextel, is also working on a wireless broadband nextwork, but it's only available in Durham-Raleigh at the moment, but the plan is to have it available anywhere you could ordinarily get their phone service... at rates comparable to DSL/Cable ($50-$70/mo)...
I guess it's something that's coming, from all the big cell phone players... I just gotta be patient.. I guess if there isn't one currently I'll stick it out with a truckstop WiFi until there is one :)