Over on the Minneapolis Issues Forum, there is a long thread (for that forum, anyway) about the Minneapolis Citywide WiFi network being built out by USI Wireless, a subsidiary of US Internet. The long and short of it seems to be that the node density needs to be at least twice what USIW has built it out to, people are frustrated with their lousy connectivity and the requirement to purchase or rent a Ruckus router/adapter, the promised Minneapolis Civic Garden is a nonstarter and folks are canceling their service.
I've been considering signing up and relieving myself of my Comcast bill, but this information doesn't encourage me to do that at this time. YMMV.
Showing posts with label USIWireless. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USIWireless. Show all posts
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Mpls Wi-Fi to Finally Be Completed?
Steve Alexander of the Strib reports that the Minneapolis citywide wi-fi network buildout should be complete by March 11. Seems like there are a lot of dead zones, though, and the provider, USIWireless, a subsidiary of USInternet, has a history of missed deadlines.
So, there's a three-tier pricing structure for each of two download speeds. If you want 3Mbps download speed, you can either prepay a year for $18.95 per month ($227.40 for the year), or sign a 2-year contract and pay $24.95 per month, or pay as you go for $29.95 per month.
If you want only 1Mbps download speed, you can prepay for a year for $14.95 per month ($179.40 for the year), or sign a 2 year contract and pay $17.95 per month, or pay as you go for $19.95 per month.
Frankly, signing a 2-year contract doesn't seem compelling to me. It's way cheaper to buy a year's worth of service up front, and if you're undecided, spend the pay-as-you-go amount for a month or two to decide if you like the service.
Anecdotally, I have heard 2 things about the service: (1) it isn't necessarily the most reliable -- all kinds of service calls may be required in the first couple of months because repositioning of the wireless relays may be required to get you a decent connection; and (2) USIWireless generally credits you for the month if your service is down for any unreasonable amount of time. Again, these are anecdotal; your mileage may vary.
So, there's a three-tier pricing structure for each of two download speeds. If you want 3Mbps download speed, you can either prepay a year for $18.95 per month ($227.40 for the year), or sign a 2-year contract and pay $24.95 per month, or pay as you go for $29.95 per month.
If you want only 1Mbps download speed, you can prepay for a year for $14.95 per month ($179.40 for the year), or sign a 2 year contract and pay $17.95 per month, or pay as you go for $19.95 per month.
Frankly, signing a 2-year contract doesn't seem compelling to me. It's way cheaper to buy a year's worth of service up front, and if you're undecided, spend the pay-as-you-go amount for a month or two to decide if you like the service.
Anecdotally, I have heard 2 things about the service: (1) it isn't necessarily the most reliable -- all kinds of service calls may be required in the first couple of months because repositioning of the wireless relays may be required to get you a decent connection; and (2) USIWireless generally credits you for the month if your service is down for any unreasonable amount of time. Again, these are anecdotal; your mileage may vary.
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