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North Pole Gets Wi-Fi Hotspot

Posted by Zonk on from the i-wish-penguins-lived-there-so-i-could-make-a-linux-joke dept.

Torrey Clark writes "Two Moscow-based Intel employees have setup a Wi-Fi hotspot near the North Pole, according to Intel. The hot spot was built in the Arctic region at the Barneo ice camp, a tent complex used by scientists, researchers and rescue crews during the month of April, when ice conditions are safe. Still, the camp environment is never ideal for computer devices, as the air temperature rarely rises above -30 Celsius, according to Intel. The hotspot uses Intel's Centrino equipment and the Iridium satellite phone system as backhaul. The company said in its statement that the installation shows that the equipment can be used in extreme circumstances. It said that those at the camp use the hotspot access for chores ranging from e-mail to getting real-time weather conditions and for taking care of matters at home, including, potentially, financial transactions."

17 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. Misnomer by jawtheshark · · Score: 5, Funny

    Shouldn't that be a coldspot, then?

    --
    Ahhh...the great dumpster continuum. Many a free computer will be found there. -- sowth (748135)
    1. Re:Misnomer by Delta2.0 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I don't care what its what its called... Anyone up for a little warsleding?

    2. Re:Misnomer by ShaniaTwain · · Score: 5, Funny

      Boy! its a good thing they didn't put one under the sea.. I dont know if intel would want to take responsibility for a wetspot.

      --
      Starsucks
  2. I always wanted to WiFi there by ErebusNT · · Score: 4, Funny

    Glad they solved this problem. I always wanted to wirelessly connect there.

  3. "Potentially" by NitsujTPU · · Score: 5, Funny

    including, potentially, financial transactions

    Also including, potentially, browsing for porn and hot online cybersex.

  4. Mail your wish lists! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    So now we can mail Santa Clause?

    Great :D

  5. -30 degrees celcius! by Winckle · · Score: 5, Funny

    Imagine the overclocking!

  6. Re:Perhaps it will be used for by bersl2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nah, they would be using a Prescott for that...

    (couldn't resist)

  7. News headlines for 2005.4.16 by showardkid · · Score: 4, Funny
    New phishing scam originates in Barneo ice camp

    Sources say that the scammers set up a wireless hotspot and commenced hosting a web page on an Apache web server.

    --
    Do, do not, or delegate to someone else: there is no try.
  8. I can see it now... by BrainSurgeon · · Score: 4, Funny

    Prof Tom: "Damn it Bob! Quit tying up the satellite phone! I need to get online!"

    Prof Bob (on the Phone): "No, I love you more!...No, you hang up first.."

    Prof Tom: "Damn it Bob! My "online" girlfriend goes to bed at 11! HURRY UP!"

    --
    "It's not rocket science, Smithers! It's only brain surgery!" --Mr. Burns
  9. Huh? by Leomania · · Score: 4, Funny

    those at the camp use the hotspot access for chores ranging from e-mail to getting real-time weather conditions

    Folks... you're in a tent at the north pole... you don't need an internet connection to check on weather conditions! Just open the tent flap, for goodness' sake.

    - Leo

    --
    You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right.
  10. Mods by northcat · · Score: 5, Funny

    Informative? INFORMATIVE?!?

  11. If there's a hotspot... by Ruprecht+the+Monkeyb · · Score: 3, Funny

    there'll be a Starbucks there within a week.

  12. Isn't it obvious? by PetoskeyGuy · · Score: 4, Funny

    The North Pole is .ic

  13. Re:I know what you are thinking... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's okay. Most of the people on wireless networks aren't doing anything, either.

  14. Does it run Linux? by Ph33r+th3+g(O)at · · Score: 3, Funny

    I assume it would support ELF binaries?

    --
    I too have felt the cold finger of injustice.
  15. Nope by hawk · · Score: 3, Funny
    They're using intel chips. It may be -30 outside, but it sure isn't inside the case . . .

    :)

    hawk