Public wireless Internet access raises questions

[RommelS]

Public wireless Internet access raises questions
Source: Globetechnology.com

Public wireless networks are sprouting daily in hotels, cafes and airports around the world. But which network is available where - and will a given laptop be able to log on?

The computer industry, eager to speed consumer acceptance of what it hopes will be a big moneymaker, is putting its stamp of approval on access points that meet its standard for compatibility.

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[JTMoney]

"The goal is one logon that will work anywhere, but I think we're still several years away from that," said Mr. Grimm.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

JT$

[Duckman]

The potential of a nationwide wireless internet access presents new problems that will have to be worked out.

Remember when people were gunshy about doing any sort of commerce on the internet at all.....after a couple of years, comfort levels evened out and now the internet is where we do purchasing, banking, you name it.

Once the standards are set, and it becomes a safe, viable medium, it is going to really soar.....and your Pocket PC is going to benefit you big time!

[Starscream]

Originally posted by Duckman@Mar 13 2003, 08:37 PM
The potential of a nationwide wireless internet access presents new problems that will have to be worked out.

Remember when people were gunshy about doing any sort of commerce on the internet at all.....after a couple of years, comfort levels evened out and now the internet is where we do purchasing, banking, you name it.

Once the standards are set, and it becomes a safe, viable medium, it is going to really soar.....and your Pocket PC is going to benefit you big time!

agreed. and yes, i think we are a long way off for this technology from being adopted by the average user.

[JTMoney]

Originally posted by Duckman@Mar 13 2003, 11:37 PM
The potential of a nationwide wireless internet access presents new problems that will have to be worked out.

Remember when people were gunshy about doing any sort of commerce on the internet at all.....after a couple of years, comfort levels evened out and now the internet is where we do purchasing, banking, you name it.

Once the standards are set, and it becomes a safe, viable medium, it is going to really soar.....and your Pocket PC is going to benefit you big time!

Agreed....to a point.

Cell phones have been available in the US for over 10 years. I mean truly mobile phones, not those old style suitcase phones or the phones that had to remain mounted in your car.

The penetration rate is STILL 1 in 3 (roughly), and it's not growing all that well. The number of new subscribers is pretty weak, and new cell phone accounts are typically churn from other providers.

If American lifestyle doesn't encourage better adoption numbers for cell phones, I can't see it being any different for a technology that 1) most people don't understand, 2) most people can't afford, and 3) most people don't need or want. Heck, even broadband adoption is weak....I think the number is 10 million or 15 million, but there are something like 150 million households (or more) in the country. That's basically 1 in 10, and its not getting any better.

I think the paradigm has to switch, completely, before true wireless takes off, and in my opinion, the switch will be FREE wireless access FOR ANYONE who wants it, without having to pay a bill or have another account.

JT$

[whatsurpointnow]

You know, one of my favorite authors, Vernor Vinge, the Peace War, Marooned in Real Time etc. has a new book of short stories out and he writes about a "virtual landscape" that we might see for our kids. The tittle for his new book is aptly enough Vernor Vinge, collected short stories! It is well worth reading

The paradigm will shift JT. The question is going to be will it shift for the better?

Regarding time to full penetration for wireless. I would love to know how long it took for 80% penetration on telephone service or Television purchases. VCR's were adopted in the majority of households within 10 years, but the cost on those is substantially less then cellular service. I pay in excess of $1000.00 a year for mobile telephone connectivity, that includes SLOW wap surfing. The wireless internet connections I have seen could bump that price by 50% or more for fairly limited bandwidth. Some people are buying it, but I guess I am just not that important.

As connection costs fall and wireless becomes as ubiquities as cell phone coverage, that will surely change. I am sure my kids will enjoy the knowledge that I know exactly where they are at any point in time, and that I can call them at any time during their outings.
How will they ever get to slip away for that high school kegger?

[JTMoney]

Originally posted by whatsurpointnow@Mar 14 2003, 04:04 PM
Regarding time to full penetration for wireless. I would love to know how long it took for 80% penetration on telephone service or Television purchases. VCR's were adopted in the majority of households within 10 years, but the cost on those is substantially less then cellular service. I pay in excess of $1000.00 a year for mobile telephone connectivity, that includes SLOW wap surfing. The wireless internet connections I have seen could bump that price by 50% or more for fairly limited bandwidth. Some people are buying it, but I guess I am just not that important.

As connection costs fall and wireless becomes as ubiquities as cell phone coverage, that will surely change. I am sure my kids will enjoy the knowledge that I know exactly where they are at any point in time, and that I can call them at any time during their outings.
How will they ever get to slip away for that high school kegger?

I think any appropriately defined network protocol and mobile computing system would have the ability to mask itself or otherwise prevent intrusive communications.

In my mind, each of us will have a personal firewall, that we can configure on the fly. So, having a rule that says "drop all incoming connections from Dad's address" would be trivial. Or even, in a utopia, "drop all incoming connections whenever I am within 20 meters of a network of type {nightclub|stripclub} unless the sender is listed in my whitelist".

JT$

[DarkEmerald]

Originally posted by Starscream@Mar 14 2003, 03:44 AM
agreed. and yes, i think we are a long way off for this technology from being adopted by the average user.

What do you think are the specific obstacles still in the way of adoption by the average user, starscream? Cost? Difficulty/complexity? Perceived usefulness?

Or do you think it's a next-generation issue, where widespread adoption will take place only by a generation born to the technology?

[RommelS]

Originally posted by DarkEmerald+Mar 14 2003, 05:15 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (DarkEmerald @ Mar 14 2003, 05:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Starscream@Mar 14 2003, 03:44 AM
agreed. and yes, i think we are a long way off for this technology from being adopted by the average user.

What do you think are the specific obstacles still in the way of adoption by the average user, starscream? Cost? Difficulty/complexity? Perceived usefulness?

Or do you think it's a next-generation issue, where widespread adoption will take place only by a generation born to the technology? [/b][/quote]
One thing about wireless is that it is so easy to implement and cheap, and I don't believe that we are far away from it. I believe we are now in it.

I also believe that these fast food restuarants or coffee shops will help this technology even grow bigger.

Security is still an issue, but I'm hoping that the security protocol that the IEEE will ratify next year will fix all the security problem - of course nothing is 100% secured.

[Duckman]

Originally posted by RommelS@Mar 14 2003, 05:26 PM
Security is still an issue, but I'm hoping that the security protocol that the IEEE will ratify next year will fix all the security problem - of course nothing is 100% secured.

This hits my point directly....until the consumers BELIEVE that it is secure, it is a medium that will take a while to become a predominant player in the marketplace for things other than internet browsing. Don't get me wrong, I am as excited as anyone about the potential, but there are many out there who do not feel the same as me.