Hotspots...

When the heck are they coming?

[SEOMike]

I really want to take my wireless devices places and surf, but hotspots are so few and far between. I don't want to pay the $80 or so a month for unlimited access.

Does the future hold widespread hotspots? I live in a city of almost 2 million, and they are VERY hard to find.

Anyone have any insights?

[normaldude]

(I'm assuming you're talking about Wi-Fi, and not a cellphone data service plan like GPRS)

In NYC, Verizon is rolling out a plan to blanket Manhattan with Wi-Fi.. free for Verizon DSL subscribers.

Even now, NYC has plenty of free wi-fi spots.
[nodedb.com...]

You can check your city here:
[nodedb.com...]

But if you want wireless access without worrying about wi-fi hotspots, T-mobile has a GPRS data plan for $30/month.
[t-mobile.com...]

However, GPRS speeds will be much slower than Wi-Fi speeds.

[wdsriram]

there is hope i heard the next generations of phone with net access are just around the corner

[edited by: Woz at 1:30 pm (utc) on May 28, 2004]
[edit reason] No Sigs please, see TOS#13 [/edit]

[SEOMike]

In NYC, Verizon is rolling out a plan to blanket Manhattan with Wi-Fi.. free for Verizon DSL subscribers.

Wow! I can't wait until that catches on here in KC.

A search of Nodedb revealed a few Wi-Fi spots near me I'm going to have to try. Nothing near saturation though. Oh well... patience!

[bakedjake]

SEOMike, I've been to KC recently, I know there are hotspots around. ;-)

Have a favorite coffee house? Near a university? They're usually prime targets. A lot of parks are starting to have them as well.

It's not widespread enough to say "you'll be covered wherever you go", but it sure is widespread enough to say "I need to get out of the office, let's go find someplace to work."