07-22-2003, 05:00 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Sprint To Offer Wi-Fi... With Roaming
This is interesting: Sprint is set to launch a Wi-Fi service on Monday. However, part of their network will be built out of roaming deals. I believe this is the first time I've seen this of a major nationwide network -- dare I hope other Wi-Fi providers start to deploy similar solutions as well?
"Prices are not yet available for the service, which will be launched by the end of this quarter, and charges for the Wi-Fi service can't be integrated into Sprint customers' cellular service bills until late this year. However, the combination of Sprint's own hot spots and those available through roaming deals will create one of the largest networks of hot spots in the country."
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07-22-2003, 05:07 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,398
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What kind of coverage are we talking here? Will this be like T-Mobile hotspots (few and far between)?
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07-22-2003, 05:07 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 739
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Sprint isn't ideal, but they seem to be one of the best carriers in terms of "nationwide" coverage. I've been able to use my Sprint phone all across the country without incurring roaming charges, as well as having free long distance. I think Sprint is one of the best carriers for those who have to travel a lot.
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07-22-2003, 05:10 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Crystal Eitle
Sprint isn't ideal, but they seem to be one of the best carriers in terms of "nationwide" coverage. I've been able to use my Sprint phone all across the country without incurring roaming charges, as well as having free long distance. I think Sprint is one of the best carriers for those who have to travel a lot.
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Well, that's their cell phone service. This will be a lot more like T-Mobile HotSpot, which is Wi-Fi and has mostly specially-placed coverage. (In other words, Dave, I would say the answer is "Yes".)
--janak
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07-22-2003, 05:15 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 405
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Janak, and other people who live in NYC, I was wondering if you could tell me what the coverage is like in NYC. I've heard horrible stories of how Sprint doesn't work in Northern New Jersey and I was curious as to how Sprint is in a large city.
Sprint has always had the BEST phones, in my opinion, but the coverage was definitely not up to par with T-Moble around the areas I have needed it to be. A couple of my friends have Sprint on campus, and they are definitely not pleased.
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07-22-2003, 05:17 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Fzara
Janak, and other people who live in NYC, I was wondering if you could tell me what the coverage is like in NYC. I've heard horrible stories of how Sprint doesn't work in Northern New Jersey and I was curious as to how Sprint is in a large city.
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Sprint's cell phone service, as most providers', is just fine in most of NYC. (Note that every carrier has some weak in-building spots, although they're not the same, due to the steel high-rises we have.)
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Sprint has always had the BEST phones, in my opinion, but the coverage was definitely not up to par with T-Moble around the areas I have needed it to be. A couple of my friends have Sprint on campus, and they are definitely not pleased.
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It really depends on where you are. Sprint has been steadily improving, although they're still no Verizon or AT&T (TDMA).
--janak
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07-22-2003, 05:27 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 545
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This is cool, but...
It will never be like cell phones are today. WiFi (B or G) just can't handle it. It would take too many AP's to cover an area with good enough coverage to make it as ubiquitous as cellular technology (AMPS, GSM or CDMA). I wish that there were more WiFi hotspots, paid or unpaid and of the paid ones, I wish there was a plan that would make it worthwhile. There are no T-Mobile hotspots close to my house. There are a few free ones and they are in good places (coffee house!). In place I would like free ones, there just isn't. Public libraries would be IDEAL for this! They would not even have to pay for it. Just help the free guys set it up. That would drive people to the library! Also, public transportation depots like main bus stops, greyhound stations and terminals would also be good. I'd say put it on the bus, but it would be difficult to get something high speed on something that moves. One option could be along the routes, install a AP on every stop in the downtown and that would be great! ADVERTISE that when riding the RTA downtown, you can surf the web! Some would gladly ride the bus in this case! Airports also would be a good free place and hotels.....it should be free at the hotel guys! If it was between two places, one cheap, one more but with WiFi, I would pay more.
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07-22-2003, 05:29 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Re: This is cool, but...
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Originally Posted by gorkon280
It will never be like cell phones are today.
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I agree. My point was that I hope that we'll at least see more roaming take place, so there's a chance a Wi-Fi-enabled Pocket PC will be useful in more places.
Case in point: there's a Wi-Fi enabled Verizon phone booth right down the street from my office. I can't use it, even though I can see the antenna on top of the phone booth. :cry:
--janak
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07-22-2003, 05:35 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 405
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
It really depends on where you are. Sprint has been steadily improving, although they're still no Verizon or AT&T (TDMA).
--janak
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Wouldn't this be largely due to their "all-digital service?" Why have an all digital service, if some areas analog service is provided and roaming charges are incurred? :bangin:
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07-22-2003, 05:37 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Fzara
Wouldn't this be largely due to their "all-digital service?"
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Partially, but not entirely. Verizon has more pervasive digital service in the Northeast, because they've been here forever and it's far easier to convert ancient analog towers to digital, as compared to putting up new towers because of the NIMBYs.
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Why have an all digital service, if some areas analog service is provided and roaming charges are incurred?
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You don't have to use analog. It's easy to force your phone into a digital-only mode. For Sprint customers, analog is there as a backup. In fact, everyone is going digital -- Verizon and AT&T (GSM) are already releasing digital-only phones, Sprint has had some for some time, T-Mobile only sells digital-only phones and by 2007/2008 we'll be ready to ditch the AMPS network.
--janak
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