anyone know anything about "fixed-wireless" broadband?

[maxterpiece]

I just moved to philadelphia and I've been looking for the cheapest way to get broadband internet. I stumbled across these guys - http://www.closednetworks.com - they offer high speed internet for only $20.
It sounds like a great deal, but I've had lots of great deals turn out to be "too great". Can anyone tell me whether these guys are for real, or tell me any drawbacks about the technology they use? Thanks a bundle.

What is Fixed-Wireless?
This method of Internet connectivity is accomplished using low power Microwave radios to transfer the data over the airwaves, instead of current wired technologies. This technology is fastly becoming the defacto standard in providing service to areas currently not served by conventional methods and as a low cost alternative where existing broadband carriers offer service.

Is the signal affected by the weather?
Weather will not cause a noticeable degradation of service, even in very severe storms. Our wireless network has been built to withstand quite a bit. Your connection will remain stable even during winter months or other stormy periods. Slight degradation in transmission rates may occur should weather reposition your actual antenna. If this is the case, just call us and we will come out and readjust your antenna.

How does wireless internet service work?
A small antenna with an attached radio receiver/transmitter is typically installed on your roof. This antenna is pointed at one of our nearby Access Point towers. When you send and receive information over the internet, it goes over the wireless link from your radio/antenna to our Access Point. From there that information travels over our "Back Haul" which is a point to point wireless link to our fiber-optic connection. From there the information travels out onto the Internet. It has very low "latency", or delay, and is well suited for gaming as well as other services such as VPNs

Does wireless Internet have high-latency?
Not much - Typical latency across the wireless network to the Internet Gateway is less than 25 milliseconds and makes this service work well for gaming and VPNs.

Is it secure?
The technologies we have chosen to use in our network have built in proprietary protocols and are highly secure. ClosedNetworks’ management system only allows communications between radios from ClosedNetworks vendors which have been authenticated and approved. In addition, software encryption is employed on all data transfers.

How fast will my connection be?
The equipment we use is manufactured to a standard that permits local data speeds of up to 7 Mbps. We have many service options to choose from, with speeds ranging from 256 Kbps to 45Mbps.

Do I need any special software?
We do not require you to install any new software. The only requirement is that your Operating System has a TCP/IP Stack installed (such as Windows 98SE or above on a PC, or OS 10 or above on a Macintosh).

What are the computer requirements for ClosedNetwork's high-speed wireless service?
Minimum requirements: Pentium 133 MHz or higher, Windows 98 or higher; Mac OS 10 or higher; 32MB RAM or higher; 50MB free hard drive space.
Recommended requirements: Pentium 500 MHz or higher; Windows 2000 or higher; 128MB RAM or higher; 100MB free hard drive space.

As a ClosedNetwork customer, will I need a separate Internet Service Provider (ISP)?
No. ClosedNetworks will be your full-service ISP, providing you with your high-speed connection to the Internet, e-mail, Webmail, web hosting and a variety of additional Web services that you may need such as static IP addresses, domain hosting, etc.

Is your service Mac-compatible, Linux compatible, Gaming console Compatible?
Completely!

 

[varmit]

Dude, just get a cable connection like everyone else, and save yourself the hassle of working with a small time company that might be gone tomorrow.

 

[Counterfit]

Compare the price/speed between their plans and Comcast's plans. Then pick the one with the less restrictive ToS.

 

[macg4]

yeah i have to vote pro cable internet, since i work for the cable company here in iowa(MediaCom)

 

[ftaok]

I just moved to philadelphia and I've been looking for the cheapest way to get broadband internet ...

Welcome to Philly. If you believe what Mayor John Street says, you'll be getting free wireless access soon. Philly is planning on becoming the first major city where all citizens will have access to free wireless internet.

Of course, it'll probably be a while before this happens. Everything with Philly politics takes ages.

In the meantime, Comcast and VerizonDSL are your major options. Depending on where you live, you may be able to get Verizon's $15 DSL access (768 kbps). Personally, I've only seen the ads, I know of no one who has the $15 service.

ft

 

[topgunn]

I have seen this a few times before. Typically, it is used in remote areas where cable and DSL are not available. It was my only broadband option before I moved (unless you consider satellite a viable option) and it was decent. The biggest downside that I saw was the inital hardware setup cost. It was in the neighborhood of $200 to setup.

If it is your only broadband option, go for it. It is a decent technology that makes high-speed internet a possibility for those who can't get more conventional means. If you can get cable to DSL, they are superior to wireless.

 

[maxterpiece]

I have seen this a few times before. Typically, it is used in remote areas where cable and DSL are not available. It was my only broadband option before I moved (unless you consider satellite a viable option) and it was decent. The biggest downside that I saw was the inital hardware setup cost. It was in the neighborhood of $200 to setup.

If it is your only broadband option, go for it. It is a decent technology that makes high-speed internet a possibility for those who can't get more conventional means. If you can get cable to DSL, they are superior to wireless.

Well here's the deal -
They ask you to sign a 1 year contract, it's $20/month with a $50 installation charge. if you cancel before the year is up then you have to pay the balance of your contract. Total for fixed wireless?$24/month

DSL is $15/month plus another $15 or so for the phone line and probably about $15 to connect the line. Right now i'm cool having no land line, so having the landline isn't gonna help me at all and it's only purpose would be for the DSL. Total for DSL?$32/month

Cable modem is $50/month without cable TV with the first 3 months for $30/month. I have zero interest in cable TV, but the price for a cable modem drops to $20/month for the first 3 months and i think $30/month after if you have cable. Basic cable is like $22/month i think so it's almost the same price. Total for cable modem?$45/month.

Now i know cable modems are much faster than both DSL and fixed wireless which would be nice, but is not really a serious consideration for me.

As far as philly getting free citywide wireless, I've been hearing about that for years, but I haven't heard anything about the project being started. I think cable and DSL providers with fight pretty hard to maintain their monopoly on broadband internet, so even if this does happen it's probably gonna be a while.