Payphones Get A New Lease on Life

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.wirelessweek.com/index.asp?layout=story&doc_id=111245&verticalID=34&vertical=Business+and+Finance&industry=' target='_blank'>http://www.wirelessweek.com/index.a...nance&industry=</a><br /><br /></div>"Bell Canada and San Diego, Calif.-based technology consulting firm inCode Telecom have come up with an innovative new use for payphones. The two companies have developed a strategy and technology that turns existing payphones into Wi-Fi hotspots. Bell Canada is the first wireline operator to implement this strategy, which uses the existing wireline infrastructure to transform an area of up to 300 feet around the payphone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing business travelers to access the Internet to download data. In addition, Bell Canada is using AccessZone, a Wi-Fi hotspot pilot service that enables mobile users to connect 802.11b-enabled devices like laptops and PDAs to payphone access points in high-traffic areas."

[ricksfiona]

Very ingenious! This can be huge! That would be a quick and easy way for airports to implement WiFi without a huge cost factor to themselves.

[markpmc]

The pay phone guys paid big $$$ for the airport contracts, then everyone went to mobile phones they lost big....

Now we all want hot spots for travelling... I like it. Maybe I will sign up for the T-Mobile hot spot plan after all....

markpmc

[johncj]

As with everything else, pricing is the key. It has to be cheap enough to be an impulse buy. I don't see that happening.

[ECOslin]

Sounds like something logical, then they won't implement it around here.

Subscriber system? I wonder how billing for access time will be handled?

Edward

[dh]

I love this idea.

Imagine, every airport, every hotel lobby, waiting to meet a client in the lobby of their office........

If this ends up being implimented everywhere and the cost for use is sensible, this could be a huge thing.

Maybe I need to get these BT ideas out of my head and start to look at 802.11b.

Hmmmmm, Ipaq 5450???

[spongeworthy]

...."hey, what are all those people doing hanging around the gas station?"

[bdeli]

Bell Canada is currently running a pilot project in certain cities giving free wireless net access. The pilot project will end sometime in March.

Anybody in the Toronto area can get free access at Union Station.

http://rtnews.globetechnology.com/servlet/ArticleNews/tech/RTGAM/20021210/ebelc1210a/Technology/techBN/

[Paragon]

Bell Canada is currently running a pilot project in certain cities giving free wireless net access. The pilot project will end sometime in March.

Anybody in the Toronto area can get free access at Union Station.

http://rtnews.globetechnology.com/servlet/ArticleNews/tech/RTGAM/20021210/ebelc1210a/Technology/techBN/

Hey this is cool. Have you ventured into Union Station yet to try it, Brian?

Dave

[bdeli]

No I haven't Dave, but I know some people who have tried it out.

Brian

[Paragon]

and? :)

[bdeli]

it works....

:lol:

For a list of downtown Toronto wifi spots check this out: http://www.nakedwireless.ca/winudcol.htm

Some of them are companies with no wep encryption, others are coffee shops etc.

[MellowYellow]

it works....

:lol:

For a list of downtown Toronto wifi spots check this out: http://www.nakedwireless.ca/winudcol.htm

Some of them are companies with no wep encryption, others are coffee shops etc.

So how do you connect to these networks? I'm a wifi newbie
I have a Toshiba e740, if that matters

Also does anybody know where are the hotspots in Kingston (as mentioned in the original article)?

[vincentsiaw]

so, when this wi fi spot ready for action?

[krisbrown]

BT in the UK , are fitting the 3G cell sites in their payphones.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

...."hey, what are all those people doing hanging around the gas station?"
:rofl:

Seriously, this sounds like a really sweet plan. I'd be interested in seeing what the pricing plan is going to be first. Of course, I wouldn't mind test-driving a pilot run...