Hi David,
I'll take a stab at answering some of the questions posed by the uberquestion, how does it work? That is always one of my favorites.
First out of the box, you will notice that this fixed wireless service is to be offered in areas that T does not serve with cable connections. Thus they are trying to get a competitive foothold in areas that they do not serve at present.
Generally, cell phone service, the old AMPS, and newer digital services, such as the consumer sees with the Nokia 6100 series, run at 824-892Mhz. Your plain,old simple witted cordless phone at home runs in the 900's. The newest band assigned to PCS, which seems to be what the MercNews writer was sheltering us from by euphemistically saying the same frequency band as the latest generation of wireless phones, is assigned a band up at 1,900Mhz. Capable of carrying more data, more prone to atmospheric interferences.
This band is not to be confused with MMDS, at 2.4 or 5.2Ghz or with LMDS at 28 or 38Ghz. These are the bands of such players as Teligent, Nextlink, Winstar, WCOM and Sprint, (the latter two by recent acquisition) among others. Generally, when "fixed wireless" is mentioned, it is MMDS or LMDS that is to be infered. AT&T seems to be broadening the definitions a bit.
You mentioned a tad bit of confusion as regards the interface of the "home phone" and the cell phone. Maybe it would help to clarify things by saying that the "home" phone in question would not be one provided on the old analog POTS system by an RBOC, but would be one provisioned by T, and married in the guts of the service entrance box on the outside of the residence. Thus, it could maintain the same frequency characteristics whether tethered, or free. Huh? Whether carried on a pair of copper wires or via RF, radio frequency signals.
The methodology of signing on the 10 additional users is something I can't comment on. I haven't a clue as to whether they will use a settop box or a centrex type solution for this frill. Others may be more knowledgeable.
Comments and corrections welcomed.
Ciao, Ray |
