07-06-2007, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by fleurya

I really wish we could ditch cellular tech altogether and create large WiMax areas like South Korea. I imagine in the future their wireless internet coverage will be sufficient enough to completely abandon cellular technology.

interesting. for data this would be very well worth it, but its still going to be "cellular" in nature. I cant find much on this WiMax for voice calling, but im assuming it would work similar to VoIp.

the term "cellular" really is meant for how the "wireless" or "radio frequency" network is designed. the base stations contain many radios in which your voice call or data is broadcast over from the tower to your phone. the "cell sites" are the locations where the "cell towers" are located. It does not matter it if is TDMA, CDMA, GSM, 3G or what ever, its still "cellular" in nature.

07-06-2007, 05:59 PM

Yeah, basically, I meant get rid of the GSM, CDMA stuff and just use a WiFi kind of data network. convert all towers into WiMAX towers and port the current phone services over to that, like the way cable TV providers started sending internet service over coax cables. Either that or the current phone providers start VoIP services, which I guess would be the same thing.

I have wild hopes and fantasies for wireless technology. I hope someday we get widespread wireless internet access so fast that laptops will essentially become "dummy terminals" similar to Palm's latest creation, with very little onboard memory, low processor requirement, and to cut down size and power use. All data and apps will remain on a home server that you access with your "dummy" laptop. Basically a monitor keyboard combination connected to your home computer wirelessly.

07-06-2007, 06:45 PM

yes that would take a huge load off the cell network if the data was on a different technology. the current design is limiting on the ratio of voice calls to data "calls" (web type applications) you can have at one time per tower. it should really be separated out and on different technologies.

the FCC is supposed to release a bunch of spectrum in the 700mHz (i think) range in 2008 that the broadcast TV stations used for analog TV signals.

07-06-2007, 09:17 PM

Ok, so maybe I was exaggerating when I compared EDGE here to a 33.6 modem. I just ran this test from the phone and got a whopping 40.6 Kb/s so I take back everything I said about it being as slow as a 33.6 modem. I still stand by my old 56K being faster though! What speeds is everyone else getting?

http://reviews.cnet.com/Bandwidth_me...tml?tag=feat.2

07-06-2007, 10:16 PM

846.5 kbps over wifi
129.5 kbps over EDGE

using the cnet bandwidth meter widget.

Not dsl but it'll do.

07-06-2007, 10:55 PM

someone should start a "what's your EDGE speed?" thread.