Reiter’s Wireless Data Web Log : Hughes offers WiFi package with direct satellite system

Alan Reiter notes that Hughes Network Systems, has announced a satellite/WiFi combo, targetted at owners of RV parks and similar.
It looks like it’s basically a WiFi access point bundled right in there with the satellite system, which would allow for a very easy way to provide (expensive) bandwidth to remote locations.

Hughes Network Systems today announced a supplement to its Directway two-way, fixed satellite system: WiFi. The new product includes an external WiFi access point, and the system is targeted at owners of parks and resorts catering to owners of recreational vehicles.

The press release doesn’t include much information, such as data rates and costs, so I called the women who sent out Hughes’ press release. Airtime costs for service will be determined by the owners of the RV parks, so I wasn’t given any figure for what it would cost to use the service.

CommsDesign – NEC, Motorola partner on Wi-Fi/cellular connectivity

According to this Press Release, NEC and Motorola are joining forces to bring out products in this space where WiFi wireless networks and Voice-over-IP converge.

Yet another confirmation that we’re not alone in supposing this is going to be a really interesting area.

Unfortunately the Press release is pretty much without content. It says nothing (really, it doesn’t) about timing, or whether there are specific goals for this cooperation. Oh Well.

NEC America Inc. (Irving, TX) and Motorola Inc. (Arlington Heights, IL) have announced their intent to collaborate on an enterprise communications solution that converges a wireless LAN voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network with cellular phone systems.

Muniwireless

MuniWireless is a website dedicated to municipal wireless installations. They have some great in-depths reports on the recent tests run in Paris, as well as good overviews of “hot cities”.

The Register: Agere designs wireless VoIP chipset

Media attention is growing in the area of Voice over WiFi. Enabling Wireless PDA’s or dedicated phone handsets to communicate via standard Voice-over-IP, would allow really low-cost, mobile telephony in the office, the warehouse or the home.

One of the more important recent announcements in this area is Agere’s announcement that it will launch an integrated chipset that combines VoIP and WiFi, in one low-cost chip.

Agere’s wireless VoIP phone technology offers the promise of making low-cost, mobile phone calls over the Internet more widely available once the chips become available from September.

Fortune.com – Fast Forward – Will Wi-Fi Revolutionize the Phone?

Yet another article about the up-and-coming combination of WiFi and Voice-over-IP systems. This one from Fortune.com

Again, a lot of people seem to agree that the cellular companies need to take the threat of really low-cost voice over various public networks, seriously. While, of course, cellular can live a long time on the convenience of near 100% coverage, and the ease of use and ubiquity, there is a lot of money to be saved in certain niche areas, from alternative communication networks. One of the most promising might be the use of PDA’s or dedicated devices to get really low-cost international telephony from the road.

The bandwidth requirements of Voice-over-IP are negligable compared to the average throughput on a commercvial WiFi network, and it is possible to have a decent conversation on as little as 20kbit/s.

In short, if you have serious telecom bills, a need for international voice communication while on the road, and the willingness to experiemtn a little to get a significant saving, voice over WiFi might be for you and your company.

If you don’t, it may well get to you anyway in the next 3-5 years. In the meantime, my company specializes in WiFi consulting, and that includes Vocie over WiFi, in theory and in practice.

Will Wi-Fi Revolutionize the Phone?
As Wi-Fi grows to envelop cities, ‘Voice over Hot Spots’ could replace cell services

[via EMERGIC]

Peterstar to Invest USD 500,000 in Wi-Fi Hot Spots around St. Petersburg | RosbaltNews.COM

It seems that PeterStar has a much more realistic view of WiFi pricing than most of the providers I’ve had the ‘limited’ pleasure of making contact with.

According to this article, they are planning commercial WiFi service in St. PEtersburg at a price of about 1 Euro pr. half hour. Compare that to metronet’s 20 Euro for 2 hours on pre-paid, or even worse with Telia HomeRun’s subscription based pricing, and it seems like a different world.

At that price it’s worth picking up half an hour with your Latte, just to sync that mail, and check out the movie-programme.