| As with clean, renewable energy technology, the | | | | practical, it is likely rural and remote internet |
| internet revolution is caught in a bit of a Catch 22 | | | | customers who are now relying on the expensive |
| situation. When the technology is new and there | | | | satellite internet alternative or the slow and |
| aren't as many subscribers, the cost of service is | | | | antiquated dial-up 56, modem will skip right ahead |
| quite high. However, if everyone were to make | | | | without stopping at DSL or cable. This is actually a |
| the switch, the cost of truly wireless forms of | | | | good thing, since wireless networks like mobile |
| broadband internet would drop significantly. They | | | | WiMax and 4G wireless will cost only about |
| would be able to do this by eliminating the need to | | | | one-eighth the price of DSL deployment. That's |
| lay miles upon miles of fiber and construct | | | | money that everyone could use back in their |
| complex infrastructure that not only costs a ton | | | | pockets and out of the communications |
| of money, but leaves potentially toxic | | | | companies' hands. |
| permanently damaging marks on the face of | | | | Where does the service cost more right now? |
| Mother Nature. That being said, the latest in | | | | First of all, most laptop and desktop computers |
| wireless broadband, WiMax internet, is making a | | | | are not equipped with a WiMax receiver, so one |
| change in the way people think about internet | | | | must be purchased. Generally, they run at least |
| service. By projecting broadband from high | | | | $100, but the singular receiver will work for many |
| powered towers set up around various cities and | | | | years. Second, the price will depend on how the |
| towns, this new technology is able to power | | | | user is accessing the network. If a user is |
| zones stretching up to 30 miles from each tower | | | | accessing the network through a town with a |
| with fast reliable internet. Right now the | | | | tower, the service might be free, or charged by |
| technology is mostly popping up around urban | | | | the hour or day. If a user is accessing a private |
| centers, until it builds a bit more of a following, | | | | network and subscribing directly to a WiMax plan, |
| then it should be spreading out around the world. | | | | the cost will be dependent on the particular |
| Part of the benefit, and something obvious to | | | | internet plan selected. Plans can be as simple as a |
| rural and remote internet users is that the current | | | | pay as you go plan, or a monthly bill that comes |
| terrestrial broadband service map is still full of | | | | with a contract, phone access, and more. Users |
| holes. It is generally up to local providers to | | | | are subscribing to use the service at home, on |
| construct last-mile infrastructure and lay fiber out | | | | the road, or a combination of both. No matter |
| to even the most remote of houses. The | | | | how a person uses truly wireless broadband, it will |
| problem is this has yet to happen in many areas, | | | | certainly help them be more productive and |
| and it's likely at this point it never will. With truly | | | | pleased while using the internet. |
| wireless broadband services becoming far more | | | | |