They simply won't get my $ if they lock it down. An open protocol allows manufacturers to build cheaper devices that don't require subsidies and 'branding' to get me to buy them. I don't want a 'free' phone, I want affordable and reliable service. The device I use and services I run on it are none of their business if it plays by the protocols and bandwidth caps.

I can buy internet service from a number of providers and not be required to buy a specific computer of router. Even the modems are generic although they provide them if I choose. But I can change providers and not have to change anything but the authentication details.

I'm not a provider hopping user, I'll stay a loyal customer if they meet my needs. Cell providers in North America on the other hand have never been able to give me what I need and I won't be shackled by their tactics.

I wonder how much the plans will be, and what/whether there will be limits on how much we can download (unlimited, ???MB, ?GB). If I can get 2+Mbit/s down and 256+Kbit/s up (similar to Clearwire's existing wireless), I'd be alot happier than my crappy AT&T EDGE tethering I have now.

The really "fun" question will be whether we'll be allowed Static IP on our Nokia N810WE similar to what Clearwire already offers for business plans. If I can get a long-term (2yr) contract with a business plan (3-8email, static IP), using my N810WE as a dedicated UNIX device with Skype/Gizmo for calling becomes a reality. I'd even consider dumping my AT&T Centro and using the N810WE alone.

I hope this all pans out... WiMax has great potential, just alot of details, markets, and network upgrades left to iron out.

LINKS:

• Nokia Internet Tablets and the Next Generation (WiMax)
• Get Thee to a Geekery!

ClearWire emailed me this weekend to say that they are ramping up for their WiMax rollout in the Washington, DC, area. They’re currently expecting to go public in September 2008. Nokia resellers in the United States currently expect to receive Nokia N810 WiMax Editions in October. All going well, I hope to using WiMax and my new N810W in late September or sometime this October.

In other news, the stranglehold of cellular carriers in the DC Metro (WMATA) may soon be broken. Verizon had an exclusivity deal with WMATA preventing other carriers from providing coverage. That contract is now expiring, and other carriers are discussing similar deals or opening up coverage in the metro tunnels. Hopefully AT&T and/or ClearWire will soon get on board? I hope to be using EDGE or WiMax on the WMATA later this year??

LINKS:

• XOHM comes to Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC
• XOHM Insider: History in the Making

XOHM announced this week that it will be launching its first commercial market in Baltimore, Maryland in September 2008.

Up next are Chicago and Washington, DC, with commercial service planned to be ready by the end of this year.

WiMAX network preparations continue in Dallas, Fort Worth, Boston, Providence, and Philadelphia. Launch dates for those cities have not yet been decided.

If you are a XOHM Insider and live in the Baltimore area, expect to hear from us in the coming weeks with more detail on our launch plans.

With the release of OS2008 Diablo today, do you think we'll see the N810 WiMax Edition any sooner? I haven't seen any Nokia resellers update their expected shipment dates.

It looks like XOHM is rolling out their network piecemeal. Baltimore, MD, will be up in mid-September. Washington, DC, and Chicago will be coming later. Is Nokia's release of the N810WE dependent on XOHM's rollout schedule?

Yes, the N810W is tied to XOHM rollout, as far as is generally supposed.

Since Diablo was known to be slated for second quarter (and there had been some bragging about making release deadlines), we expected a release real soon. But it looks like a while before WiMAX is ready, so I don't expect them out soon.

(Before all the shakeup with XOHM, it was conceivable there could have been Diablo troubles delaying the release...)