An Illinois man was fined $250 for accessing a wireless network that was not his own. While there have been other convictions fire theft of services, this is the first citation with a fine on record. While a fine for just ‘freeloading’ on a network makes more sense than jail time, it is very hard… Continue Reading
Author Archives: RenderMan
Business Users Are Wary Of 802.11n
With the draft of 802.11n fresh off the presses, questions are already popping up about the usefulness of the technology, particularly in large, multi-AP environments like University campuses. There also seem to be some questions about the effects of 802.11n networks on existing b/g/a networks as wider 40Mhz channels might interfere with existing systems. Despite… Continue Reading
Total Wi-Fi Freedom
Laptops are beginning to arrive on the market with cellular data capabilities built in as well as WiFi. The idea is that the cellular service compliments WiFi in providing access away from the nearest coffee shop. The problem is that service is still expensive and the built in radios are tied to different carriers. Hopefully… Continue Reading
Nintendo Users Get Free Wi-Fi Downloads
Nintendo is partnering with BT openzone in the UK to setup WiFi hotspots in game retail stores for Nintendo DS users to download content, demo’s and promotional information. a Million subscribed Nintendo WiFi subscribers is quite the market base for this service. At the very least this proves that Wifi is becoming mainstream. Via [vnunet.com]… Continue Reading
Wi-Fi Providers Court Smaller Communities
Milpitas, California does’nt seem like a likely place but it is going to be one of the most unwired towns in the US. Smaller communities weem to have less problems with municipal WiFi plans and incumbant service providers don’t try to get in the way. Perhaps muni-WiFi needs to focus on the small towns first… Continue Reading
BellSouth Touts Wireless As A Broadband Backup
Bellsouth is pushing thier WiMax service, setup after Hurricane Katrina, as backup for broadband service in New Orleans. The $29.95 service is bundled with landline broadband service. Via [wirelessweek.com]… Continue Reading
Sprint Offshoot Tries Muni Wi-Fi
So the telco’s jump up and down and lobby states to pass laws prohibiting municipalities from offering Municipal Wifi themselves, but are more than happy to step up and do it themselves. Sprint’s offshoot, Embarq is testing a few sites in Henderson, Nevada after the city expressed interest in municipal wireless in October. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]… Continue Reading
Fixed WiMax To Slash 10Mbit/s WAN Costs
Urban WiMax is set to provide 250 London businesses with 10Mbit/sec service through thier fixed WiMax service. The company plans to undercut competing landline providers by up to 50% while also providing redundant internet connections through 2 different providers. Could there be a bandwidth price war in the near future if they are successful? Via… Continue Reading
Can Muni Wi-Fi Be Free?
Craig Settles, noted Muni-wireless pundit has released a study of proposed muni-wifiinstallations and has found that very few realize that at the end of the day, someone has to pay. Touting it at a ‘free network’ is just plain wrong as it eventually becomes a bait and switch with residents and constituents. Politicians think in… Continue Reading
WiFi’s Security Secret – Authentication
Knowing that the access point your connecting to, be it the one in your home or the one in your favorite coffee shop are authentic is a major concern for users. They might not be who you think and rigged up to sniff your passwords, credit card or anything else you might send. Various services… Continue Reading
Intel To Unwire Emerging Indian Tech Hub
The city of Pune, India is going to be unwired by Intel over the next year. The plan is to use WiFi and WiMax technologies to cover 400 square kilometers of the emerging tech hub city with wireless net access. The area is riddled with high tech companies who definatly know a few things about… Continue Reading
Wi-Fi Fight Brews In Big Easy
In the wake of hurricane Katrina, with internet service unavailable to many business due to flodded central offices, the city of New Orleans opened it’s wireless mesh network for anyone to access. This helped in an emergency situation and helped sustain businesses. Now 6 months after Hurricane Katrina, with a third of the city New… Continue Reading
Wi-Fi Phones Still Rough Around The Edges
WiFi phones are a neat concept, but are’nt quite ready for prime time. Besides obvous association problems and lack of styling, the hardware Wi-Fi phones are’nt nearly as good as ‘softphones’ which run on PDA’s and laptops. While definatly a good idea, it’s not enough to make anyone want to ditch thier cell phone quite… Continue Reading
US Cities Warned On Long-term Costs Of Free Wireless
Municipal WiFi costs are a tricky thing. Who pays for it, how, who runs it, what happens if it fails. Municipalities should be very cautious and go in with eyes wide open about the realities of providing a new utility to it’s residents. Unexpected costs can easily soar without proper planning. Via [msnbc.msn.com]… Continue Reading
Use Wi-Fi — Go Straight To Jail
After Illinois fined David M. Kauchak $250 for illegally accessing a wireless network, the question is raised; is a fine and possible jail time the proper thing to do? At the very least this sends the message that innocuous surfing on someone elses connection is against the law and there are consiquiences. It’s also a… Continue Reading