Comments on: Broadband by the Beach: Pacifica WiFi

By: Bill Fargo

Bill Fargo — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:55:44 +0000

I was surprised when I got free wifi from Pacifica Net in the parking lot at the north Safeway.
It works as well as another network I pay for but being free (why I don’t know) made it better.
This is one defect I’d never report:-)

By: Andy Abramson

Andy Abramson — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 18:42:21 +0000

But will it work indoors or will some type of Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) device be needed?

How many floors up will it work?

Most of these networks only work outdoors, hence my nickname for it is "homeless wireless" and since the specs usually call for only the second floor and below of a dwelling to be covered, what happens in a three or four story walk up apartment building? Will the signal get past the first room of the house?

Don't get me wrong I'm a huge MuniWireless fan, but I just think the current buildouts leave a lot to be desired and are setting a lot of people up for a Great Expectations, Less Than Anticipated Results experience once they realize what the networks don't do yet.

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 21:04:57 +0000

One reason why this could work (if marketed the right way) – is to appeal beyond the residents of our town. Responding from your BlackBerry is a dead give away but responding from your laptop… people might not suspect your hair is still salty. I have seen many suits trying to sneak a session in down here (including some well known tech reporters) – this might give the needed excuse for a double session day.

By: T

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 17:38:21 +0000

Its not the DSL/Cable that I will compare it to. I would rather compare it to EVDO or HSDPA speed and price points (or somewhere in between DSL and 3G offering from wireless carriers) because these networks provide wireless connectivity on the move as opposed to just your home.

If they can provide sustainable 3mbps speeds and hand-offs between access points, I think it is a good service.

By: B

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 17:10:27 +0000

$20 for 1mbps is pretty good. What other company offers that with out having to have other services (phone, cable TV, etc).

Maybe in CA, but in WA you can't get that price.