| Digicom Microwave Internet (Quebec Only) So my wife received a cold-call yesterday from a company called Digicom based in Alma, QC.
Their sales pitch is that they use Microwave Internet technology (which they claimed is not WiMAX, but Pre WiMAX on their website) that uses unlicensed frequencies. They're promising us 5Mbps/3Mbps down/up from our location. The salesperson admitted that he's cold calling everyone in the area code that he can find on Canada 411, so I understand his quote is really only an estimation. But he also says the distribution tower is located at the golf course across the street from us.
The area I live in just between Gatineau and Val-des-Monts is a horrible Internet dead zone. When you hear about unserviced rural; our street, which is right on the border of the two municipalities, is the very definition. We started with Bell's WiMAX service, then eventually moved to a (mostly successful) Rogers 3G service. However, it has never been without problems.
With their promise of speed and low latency from our distance (salesperson estimated roughly 20ms to the tower), we decided to try it out. They're coming to install it tomorrow. Installation is $150 and monthly service is $59.99/mo and requires signing a 3 year contract. They say we have 30 days to try it out. If we're not satisfied, they fully refund the first month's cost and the installation cost.
I'm slightly leery about this whole affair and my wife is downright worried. Part of her is nagging that its a scam, what with the cold call and whatnot. And if its not a scam, she's afraid this is the same as WiMAX service, which was abandoned by the larger telecoms. What's to say this company won't fold under as well?
Their website does not fill us with much confidence either. Its lacking in a lot of information, is incomplete, and doesn't even make mention of the service package they're offering us. The salesperson says there's one other person in the area that has this service (though we have no idea who it is) aside from the golf course that's hosting the distribution tower. I'm hoping that this is mostly a test area and that's why they don't have a lot of publicly available information on the service.
Is there anyone that's heard of this service and has experience with it?
I'll keep you all posted after installation this weekend.
Website: »www.digicom.ca
English Translation: »http://translate.google.com/tran···om.ca%2F |
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 JCohenPremium
join:2010-10-19
Nepean, ON
kudos:3 | Fixed the translate link for you »translate.google.com/translate?h···om.ca%2F |
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| reply to Dualipuff
Digicom is not a scam, they are around my hometown (Saguenay) in Alma a lot, they have a lot of internet dead zones in the villages in that area which is on the limit of lac st-jean region and the saguenay region.
My dad has it and he goes faster with Digicom than he ever did with Bell. And he lives literally nowhere where his only option for tv is bell or starchoice (shaw) satellite tv.
The speeds wouldn't be worth it to me, but considering you will not move just to have better internet, I would go ahead, especially with that one month free trial! |
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 Mike2009
join:2009-01-13
Ottawa, ON
kudos:3 | reply to Dualipuff
Sounds like you have nothing to lose by trying and little in the way of options. Let us know how it goes. |
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| reply to Dualipuff
Bell never had WiMAX. They claimed they had pre-WiMAX which is also not true. What they had was a proprietary system / network by NextNet (now owned by Motorola). It is a proprietary OFDM wireless WAN based on MMDS / MCS spectrum allocation in the 2.5GHz range. No equipment will ever work w/ WiMAX network at all. Bell used WiMAX illegally in marketing, and used pre-WiMAX as a misleading term.
If it is unlicensed then it cannot be pre-WiMAX from this new provider either, as the power level of WiMAX would make it illegal (if they ever do it) with Industry Canada. It is probably WiFi (from the sound it could be confused , my own guess) based.
Bell inherited the NextNet based network from a partnership (which Rogers also inherited, but from Microcell, which owns both the Fido brand and the Inukshuk which deployed the NextNet network in rural and urban areas).
I had used the iFido product (same network), and friends had used the Rogers counterpart. I had talked w/ people at NextNet (before they were bought out by Motorola). I know the whole situation. It is not WiMAX.
As for your new service, it is good that they have a full money back guarantee. As long as they do keep the promise, then there isn't too much to worry as there should be enough time. |
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| reply to Dualipuff
Digicom uses unlicensed and licensed in the 3.65ghz. They are a very reputable company and I know them personally. The OP has nothing to loose and will be very impressed with service. |
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Dcite
join:2006-05-12
Mississauga, ON | reply to Dualipuff
I wonder what their usage limitations are.
The site mentions something about $5/month for 10 additional GB. |
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| reply to Dualipuff
Hi Dualipuff,
I received the same call from Digicom just a few weeks ago. I live on Mercier st. close to you.
I too have Rogers 3G Roket Hub and up to now I'm somewhat satisfied with the service considering we're in a dead-zone, but I find it expensive given the limited band with.
Have you had Digicom install their Microwave Internet ? if so, how is it and what internet package do you have?
One of my concerns is I'd probably have to pay a penalty for getting out of my contract with Rogers.
Anyways... looking forward for your comments...
thanks
Rick |
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