SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
The NYT reports that city officials say that beginning in 2015 thousands of payphones across New York City will be converted into Wi-Fi hot spots, providing free Internet access, free domestic calls using cellphones or a built-in keypad, a charging station for mobile devices and access to city services and directions. “It’s going to help us close the digital divide,” says Maya Wiley, counsel to the mayor, noting that low-income people, particularly blacks and Latinos, rely disproportionately on cellphone browsing to get online (PDF) and data charges can add up. The network will be 100 times as fast as average municipal Wi-Fi systems, so a two-hour movie can be downloaded in about 30 seconds. The kiosks’ Wi-Fi range will extend 150 feet in any direction and up to 250 devices will be able to use the network at each kiosk without diminishing service. The city hopes to install about 10,000 kiosks, each about 9.5 feet high and less than a foot wide. The first 500 CityBridge sites will be available by late 2015 to early 2016, with the construction expected to go on for six years. The contract would last for 15 years.
A successful pilot project has been in operation since 2012 but some elected officials have expressed reservations about the city’s decision to entrust the final product to CityBridge, a consortium made up of companies including Qualcomm, Comark, Control Group and Titan calling it a monopolistic arrangement. “Instead of trying to rush the process, the administration should seek a new authorizing resolution from the City Council that contemplates multiple companies,” says Letitia James, the city’s public advocate. For her part, Wiley says that she is prepared for lawsuits against the city. “In my legal opinion,” says Wiley, “this is the coolest thing ever.”
(Score: 3, Interesting) by GungnirSniper on Wednesday November 19 2014, @06:24PM
I'm seeing plenty of semi-open Comcast routers for their free (piggybacked) WiFi around my area, and it doesn't seem to be causing disruption to others using it because so few actually will download or stream on it.
Tips for better submissions to help our site grow. [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by cmn32480 on Wednesday November 19 2014, @06:54PM
I would agree, but in TFS there is reference to the use of this in poorer neighborhoods where cellular access and data are the primary avenue of internet access. Get enough people on it, OR have people streaming Netflix, Hulu, etc, over it and you will start to see issues.
Get some people with 802.11b/g only phones and it slows the response of the AP to all the devices on that node. I'm also curious as to the setup from the wireless side. Are they killing off any tech short of 802.11n? OR will tehy allow users on for 802.11a and 802.11g, but kill off all 802.11b devices?
So many unanswered questions. And what limited Googeling that I have done has not revealed much info as to how these hot spots are set up.
"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear" - Norm Peterson
(Score: 2) by frojack on Thursday November 20 2014, @12:19AM
This slow-down with mixed bg on N is a figment of older routers with insufficient antennas.
It it not necessarily going to be a problem with newer routers with multiple independent antenna arrays.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by cmn32480 on Thursday November 20 2014, @04:35PM
That is only correct is they are using multiple antenna arrays (like you would find on a cellular tower). It they are using a single set of antenna arrays in the unit, you are subject to massive congestion and slowdowns from older devices. Using older devices you will find that the data push is less due to the limitations of g wireless and the AP having to change transmission techologies to accommodate them.
The data throughput with 802.11ac on the 5GHz spectrum does not have an equivalent in the 802.11b/g/n on the 2.4GHz spectrum due to the massive difference in the number of available channels.
The only devices that are going to see the "Gigabit" wireless that is touted in the article are the newest 802.11ac devices. Anybody who buys a laptop or tablet with only 802.11n or that has a device that is a year or two old but is perfectly serviceable is going to be stuck.
"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear" - Norm Peterson
(Score: 2) by frojack on Thursday November 20 2014, @09:18PM
It they are using a single set of antenna arrays in the unit,
First there is no such thing as a Single Set of Arrays. Its self contradictory.
Some models of APs have solved this problem by segregating the channels.
Second, Worst case ALL you need it two APs/antennas, One cheap as dirt one for B/G, and one for N.
This prevents slowing down N when a BG connects. B/G only devices need never be offered the ability to associate with those frequencies that are reserved for use with N.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.