Lightsquared

[Raz]

The other day I was poking around looking at wireless internet providers when I ran across a company called Lightsquared. They are a new player setting up a nation wide wireless broadband network. Their idea is to set up the backbone (including satellites) and sell access to anyone who wants to become a provider. Best Buy is one outfit mentioned. It turns out that the frequency bands that they purchased from the government (FCC) are right next to the GPS bands and at the eleventh hour things are going sour. It's an interesting drama happening right now with lots of high profile players and a very good example of the workings of Washington D.C . Raz

In The News - LightSquared

[itlives]

Interesting Raz, totally believable of this VERY irresponsible government.

I have noticed there's not a whole lot of politics discussed on this forum. That's probably a good thing. People like me can get wound too tight!

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by itlives

Interesting Raz, totally believable of this VERY irresponsible government.

I have noticed there's not a whole lot of politics discussed on this forum. That's probably a good thing. People like me can get wound too tight!

And I respectfully suggest you discuss anything political elsewhere. There are plenty of places on the WWW that would welcome your views... no matter what they may be.

We talk molded trailers and camping here.

[itlives]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

And I respectfully suggest you discuss anything political elsewhere. There are plenty of places on the WWW that would welcome your views... no matter what they may be.

We talk molded trailers and camping here.

Worry not your little self, Donna. I like this site just the way it is.

Fiberglass trailers are way more stress-free!

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

And I respectfully suggest you discuss anything political elsewhere. There are plenty of places on the WWW that would welcome your views... no matter what they may be.

We talk molded trailers and camping here.

It was not my intention to start a political discussion but rather to alert members to a possible alternative to the current wireless broadband vendors. We found having Internet access while traveling a big plus but very expensive. This could really drop the price. It's worth following and based on some of the other things posted here in General Chat equally germain. Besides, this one could end up on 60 minutes Raz

[cpaharley2008]

The most economical internet I found was Consumer Cellular, and for those members who are AARP also discounted service. I just bought a smart phone, no contracts, 100 minutes talk and 2000 messages internet , $25/month.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

The most economical internet I found was Consumer Cellular, and for those members who are AARP also discounted service. I just bought a smart phone, no contracts, 100 minutes talk and 2000 messages internet , $25/month.

Hi Jim, thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, we just want data without the cell phone and I'm sorry to say $30 for 1/2 Gb ain't cheap. The going rate is $10/ Gb. Most folks have high speed internet provided by their phone or cable company with pretty much unlimited data use. We've cbosen to live in rural Vt. so wireless broadband is it for us and data limits are the norm. A lack of infrastructure is a key factor.The perk with having the wireless as our home access is that we take it with us when we travel. Raz

[cpaharley2008]

I just saw another one advertised, /Cricket with unlimited for $25
Special Offer | Cricket Wireless

[reeves99]

The whole concept of "air cards" and data gigabytes just confuses the heck out of me. Call me a Luddite (we've seen that word on these forums before) but I just prefer to take my laptop and get wireless wherever I can.
Phil

[Raz]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I just saw another one advertised, /Cricket with unlimited for $25
Special Offer | Cricket Wireless

I promise I am not being hard to please..... Cricket does not provide service in my area. Thanks again, Raz

[Raz]

Originally Posted by reeves99

The whole concept of "air cards" and data gigabytes just confuses the heck out of me. Call me a Luddite (we've seen that word on these forums before) but I just prefer to take my laptop and get wireless wherever I can.
Phil

Hi Phil, if you can get beyond the alphabet soup and buzz words it's not that difficult. When you talk on the phone they charge by the minute. The "air card" or mifi uses the cell phone infrastructure to give you internet access. They bill you by the amount of data you transmit and receive rather than the minutes you use... This page might be 100 kilobytes. A detailed picture, 1 megabyte (Mb). A product manual, 10 Mb. A movie, 1 Gigabyte (Gb). It's very nice to have when on the road but quite costly right now. Raz

[honda03842]

It's easy to justify when you're on the road 7-11 months a year.

We pay $60 a month for wireless and are fortunate to have a Verizon plan that proides unlimited data. We use about 10 gigabytes a month between us.

Since the plan services us on the road and when we're home I feel it's not too bad. I suspect an equivalent plan if we were stationary for Internet would be about $40.

I consider the $20 difference worth it to maintain communication while traveling.

I do suspect that with time as more high speed wireless networks are installed that the price for 10 gigabytes will go down.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by honda03842

It's easy to justify when you're on the road 7-11 months a year.

We pay $60 a month for wireless and are fortunate to have a Verizon plan that proides unlimited data. We use about 10 gigabytes a month between us.

Since the plan services us on the road and when we're home I feel it's not too bad. I suspect an equivalent plan if we were stationary for Internet would be about $40.

I consider the $20 difference worth it to maintain communication while traveling.

I do suspect that with time as more high speed wireless networks are installed that the price for 10 gigabytes will go down.

Since Verizon unlimited plans have gone the way of the Dodo that same 10 Gb would currently cost me $300. If we choose to reup, it will drop down to $80.

This of course is why Lightsquared is of interest, especially living in a rural area. More competition will force unlimited data. If these folks don't do it someone else will. It's a matter of time and spectrum. That said, Lightsquared has spent years and billions and I doubt it's going to happen. That may stifle things for quite some time. Raz

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

The most economical internet I found was Consumer Cellular, and for those members who are AARP also discounted service. I just bought a smart phone, no contracts, 100 minutes talk and 2000 messages internet , $25/month.

Just curious but why a smart phone if no data plan? A basic phone/plan does talk and messages.....

[cpaharley2008]

I did get a data plan, something like 250 meg for $19/month if you belong to AARP and automatic alerts for usage. I only want or need internet when not available thru CG or wifi hot spots, maybe 1 day per week that happens.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I did get a data plan, something like 250 meg for $19/month if you belong to AARP and automatic alerts for usage. I only want or need internet when not available thru CG or wifi hot spots, maybe 1 day per week that happens.

To put things in perspective, with our mifi being our only way to access the Internet, we keep track of our usage. We use 100 Mb-200Mb / day. This is casual browsing. Email, news paper, forum, ect. No downloading. No video, YouTube, music, tv, ect. I don't even view the video clips here on the forum. That said, what I have now sure beats dial up.

[cpaharley2008]

Well, it comes with a 45 day use and return policy, if I use it and it is not practical I can return, postage free for free refund. I can not find that offer anywhere else.