RSSBaltimore becomes the first Xohm WiMAX city
By Tim Conneally | Published September 29, 2008, 10:01 AM
Sprint's Xohm WiMAX service begins this morning in Baltimore, Maryland. Customers will be able to pay for daily or monthly access to the 4G wireless service without long-term contracts or usage caps.
The expected average downlink speed for the service will be 2-4 Mbps and will cost either $10 per 24-hour block of time or $35 per month for home access and $45 per month for "on-the-go." Sprint also offers multi-device packages in anticipation of future hardware availability.
The Xohm hardware is currently limited to the desktop modem by Zyxel for $79.99, and the expresscard modem by Samsung for $59.99. A USB XOHM modem made by ZTE is listed but not yet available.
Sprint is making its hardware exclusively available through "mom and pop" computer shops in the Baltimore area, and not yet through its wireless stores or through major retailers. BetaNews went to several locations this morning to see how these small shops were handling the launch. PCW Computer just outside of Baltimore said Xohm devices will not be available until October 11, but that interest today has been high. They had received about four calls an hour inquiring about the service since they opened their doors this morning.
By not requiring a contract, Sprint is encouraging non-customers to test the service out to see for themselves. For a service that has thus far been difficult to establish, a strong public reaction is needed if it is to progress. Now it's just up to Sprint to provide the first devices so the public can use it. Stay tuned for BetaNews hands-on tests with Sprint's new Xohm WiMAX network.
Can't wait for it to come to Chicago by the end of the year.
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Academy Award winning Actor Louis Gossett Jr.and his "Eracism" foundation gives a tribute to Barack Obama and introduces the Singing Duo "UMAD"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIkMi9LcTds
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This is a wonderful development, high-speed internet without the hassles of a long-term contract (dealing with telephone reps in faraway places, early disconnect fees, sneaky extra charges)!
Please, please Sprint, roll it out nationwide!
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I think a lot of Sprint customers that have smart phones are waiting for WiMAX to come to the cell phone. It is a lot more convenient to use our phone as a modem (through USB or Bluetooth connection) then it is to carry an external modem or pc card.
I am glad they finally have the service up.
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I tried the USB EV-DO modem for a few weeks and it had the advantage of not having a battery to drain, so I could use it without worrying about needing to charge. However, the combination of phone and modem was too much to ignore and I upgraded to another Power Vision phone.
If Sprint can take this service nation wide, it'll be great.
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