Despite the fact that
LTE looks to be the de facto standard for next-gen mobile data, ASUS has an unwavering
love affair with
WiMAX. In fact, we've already seen the company
introduce a WiMAX-equipped laptop, and a
WiMAX-enabled Eee PC was
demoed way back at CES 2008. That said, the company is just now getting around to producing a new one for the adoring public, but for whatever reason, it's not even boasting about it. Tucked deep, deep within a release gloating about the Eee PC 1003HA and
T91's ability to handle Windows 7 Beta is the promise of an Eee PC 1000HG. Said netbook will include both WiMAX and WiFi capabilities -- or, more specifically, IEEE 802.16e, WAVE2 and WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n support in the 2.4GHz~2.7GHz and 5.1GHz~5.8GHz bands. Of course, "future" could mean "we'll release this in late 2019," but we're banking on hearing more details sooner rather than later.
posted February 17th 2009 1:33PM
Yeah, but I *have* WiMax and I don't see anyone around here offering me LTE so, "awesome".
I feel WiMax is a dead format at this point, lots of news about cities backing out of plans, and news of poor indoor performance make you think: "Hmmm"
That may end up being the case but I think a lot of that is due to shitty numbers across the board right now. I would imagine companies are less willing to invest in a new rollout right now when everyone is feeling the pinch of the current contraction. Still, at least WiMax has begun the long rollout process while LTE is nowhere to be seen. I think the end result will depend on whether trying to depoly WiMax during a recession will take up too much money and ruin the effort or if it will be the headstart needed to keep moving once things settle down a bit in a few years.
Also, for what it's worth, I've not had any issues indoors. The only time I dropped a signal was when handing off between towers in a sparsely covered area but that was more of a coverage issue than anything. Not trying to turn this into some preferred-brand cheerleading, just pointing out that it's an uphill battle for any new network infrastructure upgrade right now and there is still a lot to come.
Shit just got real.
I always think of hot fuzz when i hear that. Great Movie!
Let's see
Wimax is deployed around the globe right now - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deployed_WiMAX_networks
LTE is still at least a year away from implementation on any carrier.
I'd have a "love affair" with a tech I can use today too if the alternative was over a year away. By that time ASUS will have new wiz-bang gadgets to peddle and they will come with LTE if that is what the market is asking for.
It all comes down to whether you can buy a WiMax device that does not come with a contract, and have it activated. Right now Clear in PDX only offers external modems - what a deal killer.
I would like to have a WiMax phone that can tether to a PC as a modem.
ehm guys, i think someone just missed it during CES. I already did a little video of the 1000HG:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd29LiF6Y7o
I'm sending this on WiMAX right now and it works great!
LTE the de facto standard? I'm a big doubter as to whether the LTE crowd really has the spectrum that it's gonna take. 700 mhz is great for penetration and distance, but it takes more of it to send an equivalent amount of data. That's why microwave units are used to carry large amounts of data. They have the freqs but not the bandwidth.
Oh, and another thing - they (the LTE folks) don't even have 3G fully deployed.
WiMAX FTW!
BODYMORE CITYYYYYY
Watch out video of ASUS Eee PC 1000 HG...http://www.wimaxian.com/2009/01/12/asus-eeepc-1000hg-the-first-wimax-enabled-asus-netbook/