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Rogers 'Portable' Internet
Fido re-branded wireless 1.5Mbps solution
Users in our Rogers forum discuss a new "Portable Internet" solution being offered by Rogers (see website). The 2.5 Gigahertz solution uses the Fido cellular network they recently acquired and the "Inukshuk" network they've built with Bell Canada. It offers 1.5Mbps downstream speeds and 256kbps upstream, with a 30Gig monthly cap, for $49.95 / month (modem costs $100). Users in the forum state the modem is rather bulky, and requires being plugged into a power outlet, limiting the portability, obviously (see photo of the modem in question).
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DoubleVision
@fdn.com

DoubleVision

Anon

Deja Vu

New?! Looks like a ClearWire modem to me. And I never could get the trial one the outlet gave me to work, even though they said I was right in the middle of the coverage area.

rf_engineer
join:2003-08-04
USA

rf_engineer

Member

Re: Deja Vu

said by DoubleVision :

New?! Looks like a ClearWire modem to me. And I never could get the trial one the outlet gave me to work, even though they said I was right in the middle of the coverage area.
It probably is. 2.5 Ghz isn't cellular as the article suggests, it's the old licensed MMDS/ITFS band, now known as BRS. Clearwire has a bunch of licenses in this spectrum.

pwnage
Powdered Toast Man
Premium Member
join:2004-03-20
ComeByChance

pwnage

Premium Member

wireless, but you must use wires???

i like how that say 'portable'

lolz
53059959 (banned)
Temp banned from BBR more then anyone
join:2002-10-02
PwnZone

53059959 (banned)

Member

Re: wireless, but you must use wires???

nobody gets it right the first time
ChachieR
join:2005-06-22
Canada

ChachieR to pwnage

Member

to pwnage
why would they call it wireless if all 3 wires are being used to plug into the modem?
b10010011
Whats a Posting tag?
join:2004-09-07
united state

b10010011 to pwnage

Member

to pwnage
It is portable to some extent. I have friends with Clearwire and they use the same modem. The modem and a wireless router can be powered off a car cigarette lighter and you have an instant mobile WiFi hot spot as long as you stay in the coverage area.
Talis
join:2001-06-21
Houston, TX

Talis to pwnage

Member

to pwnage
I would guess by Portable they mean that your connection to the network is portable. It's just a cell call away from anywhere you can plug the modem in. That has some advantages.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Of minimal use

This solution is somewhat behind the times. It might be OK for a salesman who wants to go online at a clients office, or from a hotel room or conference center, but for most an EVDO or HSDPA solution already makes this one obsolete.

Deadpool0
Go Sens Go
Premium Member
join:2001-03-29
Canada

Deadpool0

Premium Member

PCMCIA

Eventually PCMCIA cards will come out for this service which will make it truly portable.

insomx
Premium Member
join:2003-01-26
Canada

insomx

Premium Member

Re: PCMCIA

said by Deadpool0:

Eventually PCMCIA cards will come out for this service which will make it truly portable.
God I hope so, I will get it then for sure.

Pauly
join:2004-05-29
canada

Pauly

Member

Re: PCMCIA

I have this and by portable they mean you do not need a FIXED cable or telephone line to use this, your line to the internet is wireless, it goes through the airwaves.

its pretty flippin fast too, its roughly 2mbit downstream and its modem aint bulky at all.

thomask1970
@dial.bell.ca

thomask1970

Anon

Rurual Areas?

Has anyone had true experience using this in rural areas?

One person tells me its not in my area

Another tells me that The worst I will get is 'dialup' speed (which is ok if it free's up my line and 'dialup' speed is 40K+ ..{stuck at 21K now..)) as long as there is a rogers cell tower in the area...

Rogers website says check with us again

Another person tells me they have customers in the area that do not have a problem.

Thomas

Cesar
@ody.ca

Cesar

Anon

It's a good service

I have this service with both Rogers and Bell, and it's pretty good. The speeds are comparable with regular DSL and cable connections. I recommend it.