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Clearwire? not so clear
blocks suspected on new WiMax ISP

crn.com says that Clearwire, Craig McCaw's newest broadband baby, maybe gearing up to block all kinds of high-bandwidth applications. Vonage claims it is already blocked. WiMax is supposedly the next big thing in high broadband wireless, so it would be very strange to kick-off this new industry by clamping down on high bandwidth applications. PR people for Clearwire say restrictions are necessary for network performance, and yet they are planning to offer their own private label VOIP service in conjunction with Bell Canada. Things that make you go ... hmmm ...

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DaSneaky1D
what's up
MVM
join:2001-03-29
The Lou

1 recommendation

DaSneaky1D

MVM

Wow...

said by Clearwire TOS:
...continuously uploading or downloading streaming video or audio...
So, uh, I guess no listening to streaming radio or gaming all day?

The point of writing a AUP is to not mention things too detailed, but to allow a legal leg to stand on when customers become problematic. Straight up telling someone they can't do a specific activity is stupid.

Nerdtalker
Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?
MVM
join:2003-02-18
San Jose, CA

1 recommendation

Nerdtalker

MVM

Re: Wow...

said by DaSneaky1D:

Straight up telling someone they can't do a specific activity is stupid.
I agree. More and more, it seems that all ISPs are willing to provide is basically "fast web-surfing".

So much for a "broadband experience".

Rogue Wolf
An Easy Draw of a Sad Few
join:2003-08-12
Troy, NY

Rogue Wolf

Member

Re: Wow...

said by Nerdtalker:

More and more, it seems that all ISPs are willing to provide is basically "fast web-surfing".
Better make sure that's plain-text web-surfing, pal. That multimedia crap uses bandwidth!
grantness
join:2004-05-21
Daytona Beach, FL

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It's a shame, I had a chance to work on someone's PC that has this and it shows promise.

I give it 2 years max before it's regulated, more so because of extra revenue.
PDXPLT
join:2003-12-04
Banks, OR

PDXPLT to Nerdtalker

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to Nerdtalker
said by Nerdtalker:

I agree. More and more, it seems that all ISPs are willing to provide is basically "fast web-surfing".
Yup. I think you'll see more and more of this "walled garden" type of thing. Providers will look at the old telephony company and cable company business models, whereby bandwidth was sold per bit on a measured basis in the form of telephone and cable TV service, and they will try to emulate by blocking that type of traffic on the "internet" portion of the connection.

Only in the U.S., though. Yet another reason why we're becoming a high-tech backwater.

David
Premium Member
join:2002-05-30
Granite City, IL

David

Premium Member

I find it interesting

you can call anywhere in the united states with a landline phone, and no one can really stop you, short of privacy manager, call blocker, and that is for the obscene calls.

But on a whim, VOIP providers can be blocked by their ISP for absolutely nothing to do with any of the above.

things that make me think hmmmmmmmm... with crap like this a lot of people will say FU to the VOIP.

This could be interesting to watch as the industry changes.

WhyADuck
Premium Member
join:2003-03-05

WhyADuck

Premium Member

Re: I find it interesting

said by David:

things that make me think hmmmmmmmm... with crap like this a lot of people will say FU to the VOIP.
Well, I would thing that a lot of them would instead say "FU" to that broadband provider, especially if there were ANY other options.

But I think (or at least hope) that sooner or later congress and/or the FCC will get involved and make that sort of blocking illegal. It will probably happen right after some Washington bigwig is seriously inconvenienced by not being able to use an important high-bandwidth application.

I mean, when you think about it, this is somewhat like a telephone company refusing to connect calls to a competing phone company (CLEC), or charging long distance rates for what should be local calls. There have been phone companies that have tried such things and usually they are quickly fined and required to sign an agreement saying they'll play nicely from then on (if they don't sign, the fine is much much larger, so they always sign).

David
Premium Member
join:2002-05-30
Granite City, IL

David

Premium Member

Re: I find it interesting

said by WhyADuck:

Well, I would thing that a lot of them would instead say "FU" to that broadband provider, especially if there were ANY other options.

But I think (or at least hope) that sooner or later congress and/or the FCC will get involved and make that sort of blocking illegal. It will probably happen right after some Washington bigwig is seriously inconvenienced by not being able to use an important high-bandwidth application.

I mean, when you think about it, this is somewhat like a telephone company refusing to connect calls to a competing phone company (CLEC), or charging long distance rates for what should be local calls. There have been phone companies that have tried such things and usually they are quickly fined and required to sign an agreement saying they'll play nicely from then on (if they don't sign, the fine is much much larger, so they always sign).
I was thinking VOIP provider I think I meant ISP..

Sorry... Thing is I think we can both agree is without the ISP not blocking VOIP is going to have a hard time.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

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said by WhyADuck See Profile
charging long distance rates for what should be local calls. There have been phone companies that have tried such things and usually they are quickly fined and required to sign an agreement saying they'll play nicely from then on (if they don't sign, the fine is much much larger, so they always sign).
[/BQUOTE:


i've had that problem before. calling 10miles to one of the near by villages, the only thing that happened is $150 of the calls were credited back. the PUC didnt do anything else. SBC was free to go and still expects to be paid for the rest.

I'd use VoIP any day or cell service before landline.

knowing SBC they most likely bought their way out of it. and to this day its still marked as Long Distance but the state says its local. So POTs customers do not have it much better.

g42
@bridgeband.net

g42

Anon

Regulation

No one wants regulation on Voip or Cable, with out any regulation this is the type of things that will happen. Wait until tele-marketers get a hold of a Voip phone number list.
nozzer
join:2004-06-25
Winchester, MA

nozzer

Member

Re: Regulation

You miss the fact that most VOIP numbers are in the same category as wireless numbers - calling them unsolicited leads to a VERY large fine (and thats why you dont get calls on your cell).
noz

koitsu
MVM
join:2002-07-16
Mountain View, CA

koitsu

MVM

Typo.

quote:
by clamping down on high bandwdith applications. PR people for
Sunsetstrip
Go Kings
MVM
join:2000-07-08
West Hollywood, CA

1 recommendation

Sunsetstrip

MVM

I wouldn't want service when......

...An executive vice president "said he couldn't comment on why or why not Clearwire might have blocked Vonage's service, adding that he had never read his own company's terms of service."
dardin
join:2002-11-19
Tucson, AZ

dardin

Member

Since when is Clearwire using WiMax?

Since when is Clearwire using WiMax?

Last I knew they were using their own system that is not WiMax, its a few years old too.

RonJ37
@comcast.net

RonJ37

Anon

Re: Since when is Clearwire using WiMax?

Clearwire uses a radio frequency, they will go to wimax once the gov. passes the standard. It actually pretty well, I've had no problems with it other then if you play high speed first person shooter games, you will get some latency, but for browsing, uploading, downloading, etc..... no problem for me.
Goldengamego
Premium Member
join:2004-02-22
Okemos, MI

Goldengamego

Premium Member

Re: Since when is Clearwire using WiMax?

said by RonJ37:

Clearwire uses a radio frequency, they will go to wimax once the gov. passes the standard. It actually pretty well, I've had no problems with it other then if you play high speed first person shooter games, you will get some latency, but for browsing, uploading, downloading, etc..... no problem for me.
That's funny; I didn't realize that Comcast owns Clearwire:p

RonJ37
@comcast.net

RonJ37

Anon

Re: Since when is Clearwire using WiMax?

I use both.
fgoldstein
join:2003-01-21
Newton Highlands, MA

fgoldstein to RonJ37

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>Clearwire uses a radio frequency, they will go to wimax once the gov. passes the standard.

Huh? The government doesn't pass standards. WiMax is a private standard, derived from the IEEE's 802.16 work. Some standards are basically done but tested-as-conforming products aren't out yet.

Clearwire rents spectrum. It can modulate as it pleases so long as it stays within the bounds of its leased channels. WiMax, as a standard, promises to lower the price of equipment because multiple vendors can compete, vs. being locked in to a proprietary system. Pre-standard deployments risk not being interoperable.

Since Clearwire is not a common carrier (it's an ISP), it has no obigation to do anything particular with its service. If it wants to block VoIP, then it legally can. Only its own customer agreement could bind it otherwise, and they apparently didn't write that kind of agreement.

ColdFiltered
join:2005-01-25
Atlanta, GA

ColdFiltered

Member

The Art of Bamboozling the Fleece Customers

One doesn't necessarily need to go to prison to learn how to become violated--just be a consumer in this day and age.
IPPilot
join:2005-03-29
Tempe, AZ

IPPilot

Member

Clearwire is a BlockedWire

The real truth of WiMax is that, for the first time, private enterprise gets to play a real role in wireless IP media communications that roams out of the home and office into the outside world. Wireless communications on WiMax competes head on with 3G mobile enterprise, using advanced 4G technology based on beamforming designed to outclass them at every turn. We haven't seen it yet, but many companies are working on new kinds of handsets and IP network services designed to play an important role in this industry. Once engaged, a tremendous growth in private SME communications will result. Millions of new jobs are on the line.

Clearwire is a custodian of public owned spectrum and is not fulfilling their wireless broadband licensing contract to the serve the public's best interest. If you view the internet as a virtual city on the web with its own e-commerce, virtual storefronts, and thriving vital e-conomy, Clearwire is just another bully trying strong arm their competition to take control of the city; just as the Mafia did in the real world cities back in the 1920's. Clearwire is in clear violation of virtual anti-trust laws that fall under anti-competitive rules and regulations. Any virtual city that earns legal tender, must reflect the laws of the real world, otherwise the web will be transformed into another sleazy hangout for virtual organized crime tactics. Shame on you Clearwire.


IN_JAX
@res.net.va.gov

IN_JAX

Anon

ClearLiar

I live in Jacksonville and I'm well within the coverage map on Clearwire's site that they SAY they currently cover, but I've been unable to buy service. They don't return Emails about it that I have written them, their contact number shunts you to a know-nothing answering service, and they have been promising an expansion since their inception and haven't delivered. The most infuriaiting thing is THEY LAUNCHED THEIR FIRST SERVICE IN JACKSONVILLE. You'd think they'd devote SOME attention to thier first market. I can't wait 'till they have some REAL competition in my area. I'll sign up with anyone to avoid being gauged by the cable and phone companies. Screw ClearLIAR.
ricep5
Premium Member
join:2000-08-07
Jacksonville, FL

ricep5

Premium Member

Clearwire is not WiMax (yet)

Jacksonville is served by licensed spectrum (UMTS) off the Duval County School District. The FCC alots spectrum to public schools and they are allowed to apportion off parts for revenue.

CW has plans to replace this with WiMax, but that is several miles down the road.
gogetit
join:2005-05-26
Medford, OR

gogetit

Member

Clearwire or Hunter?

While newcomer Clearwire advertises a 1.5 megabits per second business service Hunter Wireless can reach 10 Mbps. Hunter’s broadband delivered via microwave is. The biggest challenge in testing, Ryan says, was proving the technology was reliable and sustainable.

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