Developments in wireless
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David Kulp
May 18, 2015, 9:47:13 PM5/18/15
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Today I got an email from a net neutrality advocacy group that was telling me that Facebook was evil because it is trying to provide web services to the billions of people who don't have internet access. https://internet.org/.
It turns out the idea is for Facebook to provide free internet for people in developing countries, but they have to use Facebook's smartphone app, which gives them access to only Facebook sanctioned sites. Hmmm. Detractors have a website called https://nofakeinternet.org/.
While the goal seems noble, I tend to agree with the opponents. This is an ambitious grab at world internet dominance.
But what seemed particularly interesting to the nerd in me are the technological developments in wireless internet that are happening at Facebook. There's a cool video about some of the ideas they are hatching for low-flying satellites, solar powered planes, and lasers for point-to-point communication. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxX6r-xDgG4
If this sort of technology were available now in the United States then we wouldn't have to suffer with one of the major headaches of existing satellite technology – high latency: that sluggish click and wait and stutter problem.
Fascinating.
David
PS. If you haven't signed up for WiredWest, yet, please do so! We only need 40 more backers, but, sheesh!, it's a struggle to get those last few!
Talk to your neighbors! We need about one new sign up per day starting now.
Lui Collins
May 26, 2015, 4:53:30 PM5/26/15
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Has anybody on this list used - or is anybody using - the Exede Voice VOIP phone service? I'd love to replace my Verizon landline but am a bit nervous about the phone quality and reliability. Would love to hear if anyone's been using it how it's been working for them.
Thanks!
Lui
Thanks!
Lui
Juliette Meeus
May 27, 2015, 12:50:55 PM5/27/15
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Lui,
We switched our phone to Hughesnet phone because we were tired of Verizon too.
I am a bit on the fence about it. The quality is an issue, not because of the quality of the sound, but the time lag due to the satellite is significant and can be really annoying. there is also often an echo-like sound. all this is pretty typical with VOIP over satellite. try skype and you’ll see what i mean.
that said, we are paying half as much and getting all those little services we never wanted to pay for: caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting, even our VM sent to our email for when we’re away. you get used to the time lag…sort of. not sure i would do it again.
hope that helps.
juliette
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We switched our phone to Hughesnet phone because we were tired of Verizon too.
I am a bit on the fence about it. The quality is an issue, not because of the quality of the sound, but the time lag due to the satellite is significant and can be really annoying. there is also often an echo-like sound. all this is pretty typical with VOIP over satellite. try skype and you’ll see what i mean.
that said, we are paying half as much and getting all those little services we never wanted to pay for: caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting, even our VM sent to our email for when we’re away. you get used to the time lag…sort of. not sure i would do it again.
hope that helps.
juliette
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Lui Collins
May 27, 2015, 12:59:42 PM5/27/15
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hi Juliette,
Yes, that helps a lot, thanks so much for letting me know about your experience. Of course the folks at Wildblue/Exede don't talk about these issues, but I had wondered. Hearing what you're saying about the quality and the noticeable delay, it makes me hesitate to move forward on this. I'd love to save the money, but I do enough business calls on my landline that I'm thinking I'd better stick with it till we have (fingers crossed) fiber optic.
Warmly,
Lui
Yes, that helps a lot, thanks so much for letting me know about your experience. Of course the folks at Wildblue/Exede don't talk about these issues, but I had wondered. Hearing what you're saying about the quality and the noticeable delay, it makes me hesitate to move forward on this. I'd love to save the money, but I do enough business calls on my landline that I'm thinking I'd better stick with it till we have (fingers crossed) fiber optic.
Warmly,
Lui
Juliette Meeus
May 27, 2015, 2:56:48 PM5/27/15
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unfortunately, i have to agree with you, especially with the business calls.
j-
j-
Gayle Kabaker
May 27, 2015, 3:01:08 PM5/27/15
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Late to this conversation - sorry. I see you already decided to keep your land line - but
Our neighbors got it with Hughes and it was a disaster, as when anything went wrong they had no phone and it took a really long time to get fixed. And I think this happened twice. Then ended up getting rid of it. So if you count on your phone for business personally I would not do it.
Gayle Kabaker
Illustration • Design • Animation
Lui Collins
May 27, 2015, 3:06:16 PM5/27/15
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Thanks Gayle, more opinions always helpful!
Warmly,
Lui
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Gayle KabakerIllustration • Design • Animation
Jan Freeman
May 27, 2015, 5:09:06 PM5/27/15
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I have a landline thru Hughes Net and am planning to change my personal line to that (it's not worse than my lousy, static/filled Verizon line) and keep my Verizon office line. So much less expensive this way. Will keep you posted. Haven't made the transfer yet. Only problem is that now my personal line will not be public. Except in the Ashfield directory!
Jan
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