WLAN-Cellular roaming
A Swiss-based virtual mobile network operator, t-net, will offer roaming services between wireless LAN and GSM networks. The service, WeRoam, will first offer roaming among different WLAN networks. The next phase will be roaming between WLAN and GSM/GPRS networks.
This "service bureau" is slated to be commercially available in the third quarter of this year. t-net is working with two other companies, Transat and Performance Technologies.
[Note to i-net: Do not post press releases only in .pdf format! I hate .pdf files on the Web because they are such memory pigs. Even a fast connection can take too much time. Using .pdf might make some sense for formatted reports, but it's ridiculous for a mere press release.]
The WLAN market is now in a state of mass chaos, but the chaos will evolve into truly useful public networks with nationwide islands of coverage. We'll see lots of ventures around the world trying to integrate wireless LANs as well as integrating wireless LANs with cellular networks.
Verizon's 1xRTT Network:
Not good enough yet?
Mike Langberg, a computer columnist for the San Jose Mercury News, wrote yesterday that Verizon's new CDMA 1xRTT "Express Network," is "close to being practical." The two major stumbling blocks: (1) the $30 access fee (which I call a "penalty tax") for the privilege of using your minutes to access the network and (2) the complicated and unreliable installation software for Sierra Wireless' PC Card (AirCard).
Langberg says he spent several hours with technical support from Verizon and Sierra Wireless to get up and running, which involved changing some network settings on his laptop. But once it worked, it worked well around Silicon Valley, where he tested it. He estimates the speed was about the same as a dial-up modem.
Although he doesn't recommend the Express Network yet, he says the launch of other higher-speed cellular networks in the Bay area will reduce the costs and increase the performance.
I agree. Verizon is the first U.S. operator to launch a 1xRTT network, so bugs and performance issues are expected. The pricing problem is easily remedied. Verizon is now simply overcharging the early adapters and will probably reduce or eliminate the $30 access fee this year.
Sierra Wireless is a good company and I'm sure it will improve the installation software. Sierra and other hardware vendors will improve the PC Card modems and handsets. (I can't comment on the Sierra Wireless AirCard because Verizon still hasn't sent me a card to test.)
This will be a good year for wireless data. It will be interesting to see how the GSM GPRS carriers progress. VoiceStream, AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless have all launched 2.5G packet data services. These GPRS networks are somewhat slower that 1xRTT, but GPRS also will improve.
By the end of the year, there will be nationwide coverage from a variety of cellular operators with reliable data rates ranging from 20K bps - 60K bps. Perhaps 60K bps is pushing it, but we could get lucky. 1xRTT certainly is capable of even higher speeds.
2:25:28 PM 
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