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Asia Opens Up to WLAN

Posted by chrisd on from the cooperation-is-good dept.

enough2000 writes "As Unstrung reports: "Five of Asia's biggest carriers have given the public Wireless LAN market a hefty boost by announcing what they modestly claim is the world's first and largest wireless broadband alliance. Korea Telecom, China Netcom Corp. Ltd., Maxis (Malaysia), StarHub (Singapore), and Telstra Corp.(Australia) have agreed to open up their networks to allow wireless LAN users to roam from one country to another. Tests begin in July, although no specific launch date has been set." Full article is here."

5 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. colonialism by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    The ugly head of colonialism rises once again.

    I always used to wonder how could the citizens of europe condone imperialism and colonialism.

    How could anyone support such dispicable actions?

    But now I see it happening in front of my eyes and I understand.

  2. Isn't it redundant... by McNeany · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Isn't it redundant to say this is the first AND largest... If it is the first... it MUST BE the largest.

    --
    I don't believe in sigs.
  3. Political roaming by cwernli · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Now if they would only allow for political roaming too (tanks are not considered as such !), then Asia would not only be innovative, but it would suddenly become interesting too...

  4. Good or Bad? by timeOday · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I can't decide whether I want the establishment to embrace WiFi. I already have WiFi access at the main places I want it, for free. Once somebody tries to cash in on the trend, how long until conflict arises over the spectrum and we start hearing complaints about "pirate WiFi", akin to "pirate radio"?

  5. Pants *then* shoes by slashd'oh · · Score: 4, Insightful

    First, two quotations:

    "'We will begin to see similar agreements in Europe very shortly,' she predicts. 'Mobile carriers will build up their own network first and then work together with other operators.'"

    followed by:

    "Richard McBride,... told Unstrung that the potential challenges the five carriers may face should not be underestimated. 'I think it could be pretty tight to sort this by July, because there are so many commercial pressures pulling in all directions,' he remarks. 'You cannot downplay the technical aspects required if they are looking for full interoperability between the networks.'"

    It's a shame they couldn't choose a standard first and then build their own networks. (I know little about WiFi nets but it does seem counterproductive.)