Austin Chronicle writes a think piece on Wi-Fi: a very interesting feature on wireless in Austin, and the broader issues in which wireless ISPs and wireless advocates find themselves. The reporter brings up the interesting issue of how wireless can bypass the last mile and bring connectivity to places that would previously require lots of incumbent phone company involvement. (Of course, adding Wi-Fi to an apartment building turns out to be much more difficult and intensive than, say, using wireless to bridge the last mile and then using intra-building DSL.) [via Shelly Brisbin]

1:28:15 PM    comment   

A new trade association for wireless ISPs slips out from under the covers: The organization is one of several I expect that will pop up to create international infrastructure, much like the jointly operated frequent flyer programs and code sharing between national and private airlines (Star Alliance, etc.). Initial members are Wayport (US), FatPort (Vancouver, B.C., Canada), Wificom (European hot spots), Tele2 AB (European data/telephony over cell/wireless/cable), and Open Point (WISP hardware service company). Affiliated companies include Symbol, Nomadix, and other hardware vendors.

1:27:48 PM    comment   

A space elevator (something NASA is investigating) is the most promising way to reduce costs 100 to 1,000 fold.  This is a brainchild of Aurthur C. Clarke.   It uses a carbon nanotube that connects a Geosynch satellete with a point on the ground.  It would allow individuals to travel up to LEO (low earth orbit) via an elevator where they can be delivered via an OTV (orbital transfer vehicle) to an LEO space station (BTW:  those liquid fuel tanks the shuttle uses are great structural material for an expanded space station facility). [John Robb's Radio Weblog]
1:02:29 PM    comment