New article by Bob Voelcker on the new satellite internet access and voice communication technology. For questions, contact Bob by email. See earlier articles Getting Connected Will Be Easier [July 2000] and Wireless Internet [March '01].

WIRELESS INTERNET & VOICE
COMMUNICATIONS
FOR THE RVer

In recent months it has become apparent that the new technology for accessing the internet via your satellite dish, for both receiving and sending data, has had disappointing results for the mobile user, such as RVers. The settings and adjustments are too difficult and touchy for the average user. It is not a do-it-yourself project. However, while all the hubbub and hand-wringing were going on over this technology (Starband), interesting developments were taking place with that old friend, the cell phone.

When speaking of the past, present, and future of the cell phone, the terms 1G, 2G, and 3G are used. These simply stand for "first generation," "second generation," and "third generation." 1G represents the older analog system and 2G the newer digital system. But now we come to 3G, which is the latest development. It should be of particular interest to the highly mobile RVer who likes to "surf the net." 3G represents digital wireless communications on "packet switched networks." We’ll skip the technical stuff and just get to the bottom line by saying that packet switched networks will allow us much better voice communications and much faster access to the internet through our digital wireless phones.

When will all of this happen, and what do you have to do to take advantage of it? Before we answer these questions, lets take a look at the present system. I will refer only to national wireless phone service providers. If you are a full-time RV road warrior who wants to be "connected" in as many places as possible, as fast as possible, and as economically as possible, you’ll want to look at what I call the "big 6." They are: Voicestream, Cingular, Verizon, AT & T, Nextel, and Sprint. The first five got a jump start by piecing together existing regional, local and "mom & pop" systems. This allowed them to rapidly develop national networks. But, like the tortoise and the hare, Sprint decided to develop its own exclusive network. They purchased the 1900 Mhz frequency from the government for their exclusive use and began to build a seamless, digital network for wireless phone communications. So, we now have five national services traveling on combination analog/digital networks (1G and 2G) and Sprint with its all digital network (2G). Note that Sprint can still connect to analog networks by mutual agreements and what is called reverse technology.

So, why all the fuss about analog and digital networks? I can sum it up in two words; capacity and speed. Analog has limitations as to how much traffic it can carry. Now that America has fallen in love with the cell phone, the system is rapidly reaching its limitations. But the digital system is coming to the rescue in the form of those "packet switched networks." Just imagine traveling from Chicago to Denver on old 2-lane highways. That’s 1G analog. If you take the same trip on the Interstate system. That’s 2G digital. Now imagine that interstate expanded to 50 lanes or more, with everyone traveling 200 miles per hour. That’s the new 3G digital technology coming down the road.

As to how soon we will see 3G - well, that’s the multimillion dollar question. The patchwork system that allowed Voicestream, Cingular, Verizon, AT & T, and Nextel to jumpstart national networks is now working against them. It will cost many millions of dollars to upgrade, and in many cases, replace the old analog systems with digital. And then convert the whole works into 3G technology. It is such a complicated mess that industry insiders are saying it will take another two years to figure out. But some of these companies are saying that they’ll be ready to get started this fall. Which could mean just about anything. Meanwhile, here comes the tortoise - Sprint. With their all-digital system they are already in the upgrade process. With simple plug-in cards and some new software for their system, the first stage of 3G will be here late this year or early next year. Those who have Sprint service and digital phones need only stop by a Sprint store and have the software in their phone upgraded (no charge) to take advantage of the improvements.

Before I’m accused of writing a commercial for Sprint, please understand that they are the only ones I can use as an example. They already have an all-digital system and a 3G game plan in place. Taking just one example, internet connectivity, Sprint users will be able to access the internet at 144 Kbps instead of the present 14.4 Kbps by next year. 144 Kbps (kilobits per second) equals 144,000 bits per second. If I remember correctly, a page of text contains about 35,000 to 40,000 bits. In the year 2003 peak speeds will reach 307 Kbps - and by late that year, a blazing 2.4 Mbps (2,400,000 bits per second). The 3G advances will top out in 2004 at 3 to 5 Mbps. Imagine sitting in your RV, with your computer plugged into your digital wireless phone and downloading a 400-page novel in just a few seconds! Will this all end up being wishful thinking? I hope not. Just as I still have hope that 2-way satellite access to the internet will become a practical reality for the RVer.

Where do you start in your search for the wireless phone system that will work for you? First, you cross your fingers just for good luck. Then I would suggest tracking down the web sites for the biggies that I’ve listed below. Take a look at their national and regional coverage maps. How many days of the year will you be in their network? Not only look at their service as it exists today, but also their plans for the future. Check out cost per minute; also location, and number of, service centers. Look at the phones that are available. Is the phone analog-digital switchable?

Here are some web sites:

Voicestream - www.voicestream.com/

Cingular - www.cingular.com/

Verizon - www.verizon.com/

AT&T - www.attws.com/

Nextel - www.nextel.com/

Sprint - www.sprintpcs.com/

If you want to fast track to that "perfect" phone and wireless system, try this site: http://home.cnet.com/wireless/0-1923401.html

Now here is my own personal experience with the digital phone (for what it’s worth): About two years ago, I searched all the web sites, plans, phones, etc. For my traveling lifestyle and needs I selected Sprint PCS - partially for what it had to offer then, and partially for what it could do for me in the near future. My cost was $49.99 a month for 500 minutes of voice service. If I called from anywhere within the Sprint digital system there was no long distance or roaming fees - no matter where I called to. For an extra $10.00 a month I got 50 minutes of internet access by hooking up my notebook computer to my Sprint phone (which is a Motorola Timeport). The phone, with its special modem cable, cost me $250.00. My monthly costs broke down to 10 cents a minute for voice and 20 cents a minute for internet.

Today I am looking at the same monthly fees ($59.00). But now I get 2000 minutes a month and they can be used for either voice or internet access. My monthly cost is now under .03 cents a minute for either voice or internet. Now that’s what I call progress. When the new 3G technology is activated, will I still get such a good digital deal? Well, I’m not holding my breath......but I still have my fingers crossed!

Submitted 06/2001 by

Robert Voelcker, author

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