howrman
join:2000-07-08
Philadelphia, PA
2 edits |  [Philly] Closed Networks Wireless Internet
I came across this site for Closed Networks: »closednetworks.com. They claim to offer wireless Internet access in Philadelphia at speeds of up to 7 mbps for only $20 per month.
I'm a little suspicious. The site is kind of bare bones and the offer sounds too good to be true. Further, there is no explanation of the technology or its coverage. Plus, if it's true, why haven't I heard about it before?
Does anyone have any info on or experience with this company? |
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JoshNJ
Premium
join:2001-12-25
Freehold, NJ
| can't find anything from a search except for a press release
»biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050801/phm0···ml?.v=17
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I support the RIAA |
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howrman
join:2000-07-08
Philadelphia, PA
1 edit | reply to howrman
I spoke to a sales rep from Closed Networks today and they seem like the real deal. They have a transmitter on the Penn Mutual Building at 5th and Walnut. They the place fixed antennas on various subscribers homes. Since I'm already within 50 yards of an existing fixed antenna, I will be able to pick up the signal without an antenna on my house.
The person with whom I spoke was very candid about the services' capabilities and limitations. While its advertised at 7 mbps, he said that, realistically, I should expect speeds of 3-5 mbps. A web mail interface is available so I can check my e-mail when not at home. They have 24/7/365 technical support. While their service should be compatible with VOIP, there have been some problems that may require tweaking.
Most exciting is that, while they now offer only fixed wireless broadband, in about 6 months to a year, they hope to be able to make all of their nodes available to all subscribers, thus creating mobile broadband.
They offer free install with a 2 year contract and $50 install with a 1 year contract. After that, it's $20 a month. While they have no formal trial period, the rep said that it's been their practice to let people out of their contract if they are not happy.
I'm tempted to try it as an alternative to Comcast. |
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JPuppy
Java Heathen
Premium
join:2002-11-24
Honesdale, PA
clubs: | reply to howrman
Very interesting. Please, please let us know how it turns out for you.
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Official BBR Grouch |
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Hayward
K A R - 1 2 0 C
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL
| reply to howrman
said by howrman  :I'm already within 50 yards of an existing fixed antenna, I will be able to pick up the signal without an antenna on my house. And be radiated for free as well... might as well stop worrying if your microwave is leaking or not 
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West) |
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LeeG23
join:2003-02-24
Philadelphia, PA | reply to howrman
I have submitted my info, and hope to be able to review this service soon -
Has anyone else signed up? Any reviews?
Lee |
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payload6976
join:2003-11-12
Drexel Hill, PA | reply to howrman
Does anybody remember Winstar? It would be great if Closed Networks could finally get the fixed wireless business strategy right. I also saw a billboard on the back of a SEPTA bus on Friday. looks good.:D |
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LeeG23
join:2003-02-24
Philadelphia, PA | reply to howrman
My install is Monday- I'll let you all know how it goes-
L |
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nipseyrussel
Nipsey Russell, yo
join:2002-02-22
Philadelphia, PA
| reply to howrman
Hi, please keep us up to date on how this works out. I noticed a newspaper add for them this weekend and then stumbled across this posting.
I am a little worried about the speed. They offer several tiers of service. "Residential Broadband Only $20 per month" says "Faster than DSL and Cable".....but then "Business Silver - only $55/mo" metnions "Dedicated 512k Internet Connection" and it goes up from there.... |
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stock
join:2005-10-05
Philadelphia, PA | reply to howrman
Just sent an e to get info and possible sign up. I'll tell all how it goes. |
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jbakely
join:2005-10-12
Philadelphia, PA
| reply to howrman
So, has anybody tried this service? I talked to them today. They would have to mount a satelite type dish on my roof. It looks like Wireless Philadelphia has contracted with Earthlink to blanket Philly with wireless by the end of 2006. Meanwhile, I could save 10 bucks a month off my Verizon DSL. I'd like some positive reports before I contract for a year, though. |
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diehard2
join:2005-10-23
Dayton, OH |  reply to howrman
I know the CEO of Closed Networks. He's a good guy and very honest. I would give them a shot.:) |
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JoshNJ
Premium
join:2001-12-25
Freehold, NJ
| said by diehard2 :I know the CEO of Closed Networks. He's a good guy and very honest. I would give them a shot.:) No offense, but the word of someone who apparently joined the site just to post this doesn't mean much 
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I support the RIAA |
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tigerbalm701
join:2004-12-18
Philadelphia, PA
| reply to howrman
I spoke to a customer service rep yesterday...basically, the "7mbps" as was explained to me, is combined up and down. So that should/could work out to 3.5 up and 3.5 down...not bad. But I also spoke to another rep (level 2 maybe?), and he said, because of overhead, infrastructure...yadda yadda, the actual speed may be closer to 1.5-2, for up and down.
I opted for the next higher package, and my install is tomorrow, i'll keep you guys posted.
Seems a little risky, but I REALLY NEED TO GET AWAY FROM ROADRUNNER:( |
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nato1138
@208.236.x.x
| I just signed up. Here's what happened 
I really wanted my life back, to live without comcast, I decided to take the plunge and try this new wireless service from closed networks, Philadelphia--support small business. After 2 straight days of installing (they gave an array of folks in the area the same ip--woops) I had my service. The service fellow was rather nice. And daring. They have to have access to the roof to mount a 9 foot pole, so without even thinking twice about it, this heavy-set techy throws himself out my bedroom window and onto a one-foot ledge on my brownstone. He spends some time up there, and I wait around for a while. He next sets up a custom linksys router which unfortuantely runs off their own firmware. He leaves me with some instructions on how to access the internet. It worked for an hour or so.
The next day, a team this time, is involved in tweaking out my settings and rooftop hardware, I am drinking my tea, watching over his shoulder as he enters commands into the router. Pleading with it, it will not cooperate. He gets an error for an hour straight. Keeps mispelling a command--but I didn't have the heart to tell him. Whatever. So, I am left with this supposed fast and cheap service now. But the pains didn't stop there. The service speed does not compete with cable. A normal 3 second buffering time for steaming video takes about 12. Pages load slow too. Brings me back to the days when I was poor and was using netzero (when they actually were zero dollars a month). Most sucky is the stuff I was not told about--or rather I was told something completely different when I signed up. The router after every 24 hours stops communicating to your 'puter. It's super lame. You have to login into the router via Explorer every day--Then you get access. Also, I have a very typical setup.. builtin wireless card on my one laptop.. the thing hates me. It can't find the router when I startup 100% of the time. Takes 4 minutes to run this utility to get to the internet after that. I mean, this issue is rather peliminary, but there is nothing in the documentation to help out. But it is very inconsistant.
More miffed about one thing in particular, though. I tried to talk to my other computers. I believe (not for sure) I cannot talk to the other 'puters on the router. Can't even ping them. More sadly, the router is hands off--you may not as I was told open any ports to run any services. Ug. Now they tell me. I had a nice little network before. Used a laptop as a simple webserver to access some personal stuff in case I was on the road. That's now impossible. It is amazing what a $20 price point will drive the consumer (me) to do sometimes.
n |
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tigerbalm701
join:2004-12-18
Philadelphia, PA |  that really sucks...i was afraid of the whole "you get what you pay for" thing...should i cancel? |
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nato1138
@208.236.x.x | reply to nato1138
well, I tried to give you an idea of what Closed Networks is offering. I don't want to say to cancel or not. Just prepare for the worse (my case).
n |
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nato1138
@208.236.x.x | reply to tigerbalm701
I wanted to clarify that if you plug an ethernet cable into the wireless router, one does not get disconnected every 24 hours. You only have to sign in once.
n |
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tigerbalm701
join:2004-12-18
Philadelphia, PA
| reply to howrman
since wednesday's install (i did indeed go with the bizness bronze package), i must say i've had smooth sailing. friday morning the network was down due to a power failure...but it was resolved later in the day.
so...yeah, i'm satisfied...my download speeds aren't as fast my Roadrunner (i'll give it a week before disconnecting), but the upload blows RR away (1.2!).
one more thing, talking to the reps on the phone is very pleasant |
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