xenophon
join:2007-09-17
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
edit:
September 27th, @10:31AM
| No subsidized devices
Since WiMAX will potentially get on any type of consumer electronics device, it wouldn't make sense for Sprint to be the one who sells the device. It would be like a WiFi provider subsidizing every type of device that could work on their network. Sprint says they want to sell the service, not the devices.
WiMAX devices and accounts need to be thought of more like WiFi networks, not cell-based networks.
You may also have a dozen or more devices on one account down the road... Laptop, Garmin GPS with maps/POI that autoupdate, iPod Touch, Portable internet streaming radio, PSP, PS3, camera, camcorder, car, phone, DVD player with streaming video, refrigerator, etc. Sounds like it may be up to $50-$55/month for unlimited devices per personal account. Since there is no contract, you could dump devices or the entire account at any time.
Will be interesting to see how they would price a WiMAX camera that would rarely use the service and is the only WiMAX device on someone's account. I'd image you just pay an hourly charge or per byte. Though it would probably be a WiFi/WiMAX camera, meaning you use WiFi if available or WiMAX if you need to. We'll see how they structure pricing early next year. |
