2gbps Wireless Network Rollout this Summer

cpfeifer writes "Washington Post has this article about Verizon rolling out it's ultrawideband wireless service based on EvDO (Evolution Data Only). Reiter breaks 1xEV-DO down for us."

Comments

When can _I_ use it?

[rearl]

I hate reading about this stuff. It seems to take years from when I read about it until something filters down to where I can use it. And then, it always seems to cost a fortune. Is it just me?

Re:When can _I_ use it?

[TopShelf]

I'm sure by the time that the 2nd generation of wireless after this is rolled out, 2gbps will be accessible to the everyday consumer. So just sit tight, wait until 2007 or so, and quit whining! We'll get there when we get there...

Am I missing something?

[justin_speers]

2gbps? The article says 2.4mbps... 2gbps would be really cool :)

Another overblown title

[eqteam]

This is not 2gbps nor is it "ultrawideband". As we all know, 1xEV-DO is more like 2Mbps, and the story is quoted as saying it "Ultra Fast Wireless", not UWB.

NOT Ultra-Wide Band

[univgeek]

This is in fact not even CDMA - the voice technology used by Verizon. It is a TDMA technique which uses the fact that data is NOT delay-sensitive to increase the data-rate by waiting out 'bad times'.
The technology provides a high bandwidth to users who are in 'less noisy' areas, where the signal is powerful, and a lower rate, delayed stream to users who are in 'more noisy' areas.

The technology is Qualcomm's and they are coming up with a hybrid voice-data called EV-DV where DV = Data Voice).

I can't wait until this "just happens"

[Trolling4Dollars]

For years now, we've been getting the wireless internet dick tease and it hasn't really happened on a grand scale. I know that a lot of folks are probably going to say "yeah, but this is the real thing..." However, I am going to argure that it isn't. I think that the "REAL THING" will happen when people realize that all the world needs is just one big 802.11? blanket. Everything and anything connecting to each other for standard ports only and blocking everything else. No need for privacy since that is a thing of the past, just open the floodgates and let it happen. Once that happens, the wired Internet will dissipate into the background...

Find out why it is that Slashdot's moderation system is broken by clicking here...

But how much speed do you need?

[vwpau227]

I am currently using GSM/GPRS for my wireless connectivity needs on my handheld (a PalmOS deice) and it's certainly enough for what I need on this sort of platform. Since this device only has 8MB of RAM a 2Gbps connection to the Internet using 1xEvDO won't do me a lot of good. Even on my Notebook computer, I don't need this much connectivity. This is especially the case if I have to pay a premium price of it.

Part of the problem for Sprint and Verizon is that they have put out a lot of money for data networks that are not being used. Current 1xRTT usage is nowhere near the levels that were once forecast. The truth of the matter is that msot mobile wireless users are using PDAs and other handheld devices don't need these "high speed" data services yet. Until there is such a demand, I see little reason for these carriers to put in the capital required to roll out these services.

Re:But how much speed do you need?

[binaryDigit]

Ah, but when you have your gsm phone bluetoothed (or tethered) to your laptop, then you have access in a significantly larger area than any measly WiFi hotpoints. Combine this with vpn, and one can easily extend their corp networks to those in the field. This means that people like real estate agents can get listings away from their offices, your appliance repair person can lookup a part and order it without involving a phone rep (cheaper for the repair company), and myriad other things that my feeble brain can't come up with right now. While private use may be lagging, I think that this type of techology will open up some very interesting possibilities in the business sector.

Break Out A Thousand Handsets...

[FrankDrebin]

...if you want 2 Gbps. The 1xEV-DO carrier supports up to 2.4 Mbps total bandwidth (ie. you share it with all other users of the channel). Spin it any way you want, it's still better than 14.4k dialup, but a far cry from wireline broadband.

mad bandwidth

[mrtroy]

Really, what "good" use does joe blow have for having anything faster than about 100kb/sec, especially if you are including on their cellphone/pda/etc. The main things an overload of bandwidth brings with it is
1. More porn downloading. And higher res!
2. More games/movies/mp3 downloading...now I can download the 4.3 gig version (one dvd) of the movie still in theaters instead of the measely 1.2 gig version (2cds)
3. Abuse. Hey...now I can packet you.

To be completely serious now, bandwidth does have its advantages. I also notice a large difference between surfing the internet @ work *cough*, and surfing the internet at home.

But, all I would like to bring across is that if you give someone a truckload of bandwidth, they are going to abuse it. Just like if you give someone a billion dollars, they wont be as economically sound with it as they would with a thousand dollars. After all, more bandwidth is nice, but it costs more somewhere, it doesnt magically appear.

(I also do not condone/perform any of those 3 items on my list, excluding 1-3 which I may be known to sometimes do sometimes)

And happy Saint Paddy's Day! Green beer for all, and possibly a presidential announcement that iraq is going to get blown up. At least the pres will be drunk during it.

Faster Connection & Security?

[VGMSupreme]

I am all for faster connection speeds. I would like to be able to download software apps at something faster than 30-100 kbps (depending on that site I am at). I am sure this will benefit tons of people, but I do have a few questions. Yes, I read the article, but I am still unsure about a few things.

1) As always, service tends to go down, no matter what ISP you are using. So I was wondering how reliable this service will be when it gets up and running. I know Verizon is already known for it good service on cell phones, but I just want to make sure that it won't go down as often as RR, or any other Cable/DSL ISP.

2) For the wireless people, how are they going to provide security for using this faster connection (if any would be provided. I am not sure if it is the company's or the customer's responsibility for the security of data transmitted over a wireless connection)

3) Would this service require more digging/repairing/installing new component and ripping out the old on, or are they going to build on top of existing hardware/software already in the works?

I know that some of these questions sound stupid to the average /.er, but I am just trying to understand a few things, and just like my mom taught me, there is no harm in asking.

Excellent...

[archetypeone]

Checklist for Summer -

Shorts
Sunblock
Cold Beer
Tinfoil Hat

Re:Why 2gbps....

[vrt3]

What's a little g?

9.81 kg.m/s^2
So 2gbps would be something like 19.62 kg.m.b/s^3.

Better use

[gr8_phk]

Wouldn't it be cool if they allocated a little more bandwidth to the voice channel instead of allowing users to "download a spreadsheet" to their phone? When I can't tell you're calling from a cell phone, I'll be willing to listen to claims of high bandwidth.