I'm actually using the service. I got on as a beta tester for the service. Unfortunately, I can't get anything less than Satellite (at least until the phone company get's off their duffs and installs a dslam in the mini C.O. about a mile away). Here's the skinny from a user's perspective.
First and foremost, it beats 56k (53K) downstream, even though I can't get much higher than 256Kb right now (using the indoor antenna that came with the kit).
The price is, IMHO, a bit steep ($40.00) based on the fact that you still need an ISP, and also an additional analog line (unless you don't like to talk to people). To the people in the area that can't get Cable or DSL, that equates to about (ouch) another $45.00 on top ($15.00 if you don't like talking to people). However, if you were up watching WKRC at 3am (the only time I saw a call for beta testers), you could have gotten in on the beta tester price (which I did), and that made it reasonable.
The upside is that it doesn't require you to drop about $200.00+ on satellite equip, and doesn't seem to have rain fade problems.
The technology itself is actually a no brainer (the spectrum's already there, why not use it), but the interface app leaves a bit to be desired.
This service is also only good for surfing, and maybe some peer to peer swap services (if people don't mind the fact that you can only push 33.k up to them). Net games won't get it based on the diff in speed up/down.
They are basically creating a tunneled connection once you connect to your ISP, so they can add the appropriate re-direct info to the packet.
Bigger on the downside: they currently won't allow the connection to be shared, and it only works on a Win98SE install, WinMe, or Win2KPro. The interface app (that controls the DTV card, etc.) is pretty weak at this point(read: BSOD on occasion), but they are currently upgrading both the H/W and Software, and I haven't had time to schedule it.
But, overall, at the beta user price, it's a good alternative to 56k. Will I chuck it out the window the minute the phone company gets a dslam close enough to me to go DSL? You bet.
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As long as he only addding content about Kentucky's cash crop. Maybe he's a first hand taste tester, just as long as he doesn't inhale.
I'm actually using the service. I got on as a beta tester for the service. Unfortunately, I can't get anything less than Satellite (at least until the phone company get's off their duffs and installs a dslam in the mini C.O. about a mile away). Here's the skinny from a user's perspective.
First and foremost, it beats 56k (53K) downstream, even though I can't get much higher than 256Kb right now (using the indoor antenna that came with the kit).
The price is, IMHO, a bit steep ($40.00) based on the fact that you still need an ISP, and also an additional analog line (unless you don't like to talk to people). To the people in the area that can't get Cable or DSL, that equates to about (ouch) another $45.00 on top ($15.00 if you don't like talking to people). However, if you were up watching WKRC at 3am (the only time I saw a call for beta testers), you could have gotten in on the beta tester price (which I did), and that made it reasonable.
The upside is that it doesn't require you to drop about $200.00+ on satellite equip, and doesn't seem to have rain fade problems.
The technology itself is actually a no brainer (the spectrum's already there, why not use it), but the interface app leaves a bit to be desired.
This service is also only good for surfing, and maybe some peer to peer swap services (if people don't mind the fact that you can only push 33.k up to them). Net games won't get it based on the diff in speed up/down.
They are basically creating a tunneled connection once you connect to your ISP, so they can add the appropriate re-direct info to the packet.
Bigger on the downside: they currently won't allow the connection to be shared, and it only works on a Win98SE install, WinMe, or Win2KPro. The interface app (that controls the DTV card, etc.) is pretty weak at this point(read: BSOD on occasion), but they are currently upgrading both the H/W and Software, and I haven't had time to schedule it.
But, overall, at the beta user price, it's a good alternative to 56k. Will I chuck it out the window the minute the phone company gets a dslam close enough to me to go DSL? You bet.