BroadBandAccess
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Google's 1Gbps broadband offer brings out the crazy in municipal officers around the States (video)
You'll be aware by now that Google's cooking up an experimental high speed broadband network, which is currently in the process of collecting applications and nominations from interested communities. Given the limited coverage planned -- anywhere between 50,000 and 500,000 people -- there's understandably a lot of competition to get your small town on Google's radar, and city officials all around the USA have been doing their utmost to grab some publicity for their locale. Duluth mayor Don Ness can be seen above taking a dip in Minnesota's icy Lake Superior (with his unfortunate underling Richard Brown taking a fish to the face), while others have held parades, danced, invented a "Google Fiber" flavor of ice cream, and even swam with sharks for the sake of that precious fiber. Duluth, however, is the only place officially endorsed by a senator, and you can see Al Franken promote the city's virtues on video after the break. [Thanks, b3ast] Update: We've now also got video of the actual dip in the water, slide past the break to see it [Thanks, TheLostSwede].
Finland says that 1Mb broadband is a right, not a privilege
Whereas all of those old episodes of Dexter available on the torrent trackers are not going to download themselves. Whereas no man or woman in a civilized society should be denied access to Garfield Minus Garfield. Whereas Finland has a population 61 times smaller than that of the United States. Whereas no household deserves to be "farther than 2 kilometers from a connection capable of delivering broadband Internet with a capacity of at least 100 megabits of data a second" (unless, of course, you're "in far-flung corners of the country," in which case you're out of luck). Whereas this is the same nation that brought the world Nokia and public restrooms that can only be accessed via SMS. Now, Therefore YLE reports that FINLAND has made 1-megabit broadband Web access a LEGAL RIGHT starting in JULY 2010, with the ultimate goal of making 100Mb available to all in 2015. Now APOCALYPTICA has no excuse for never updating its MySpace page. [Via CNET] Read - Finnish government promises fast broadband by 2015Read - 1Mb Broadband Access Becomes Legal Right
Verizon changing some plan names, gets Alltel in-network calling
We've been able to independently verify Boy Genius Report's claim that Verizon will be changing the name of IN Calling to the simpler "Mobile to Mobile" (and we can also kick in that INpulse will become just "Prepaid") on February 15. That alone isn't terribly awesome, but more importantly, Alltel numbers are now included as in-network calls for Verizon customers. Alltel customers, meanwhile, have to wait for the merger to complete. Sorry, folks!And here's a little something for the data fiends: the venerable BroadbandAccess laptop plan becomes Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband (there's a mouthful for you) this coming Monday. That's an incredible upgrade from four to ten syllables, so we should all be thanking our lucky stars for that.
Verizon's new top data plan is like unlimited, but with limits
Check yourself before you wreck yourself, fools, because Verizon's most expensive BroadbandAccess data plan is about to get a whole lot less unlimited. Yes, true, there's already a 5GB soft cap on the current plan -- but the worst that'll happen to a chronic violator is a throttled download speed or a termination of the contract. Starting March 2, the best plan offered by the carrier will truly not be unlimited in any sense of the word, to the tune of 49 cents per MB. Yep, that's the overage charge users will pay for busting past that 5GB cap, so use all due caution there. What's a guy got to do to get some truly limitless 3G these days?[Via MobileBurn]
Verizon updates T&Cs to further redefine "unlimited" data usage
After Verizon's ambiguousness ended up hitting it right where it hurts (read: the wallet), the carrier cleaned up its act a bit and redefined "unlimited" in a hot-off-the-press version of its Terms & Conditions. While perusing through the legalese, you'll notice that checking out "continuous web camera posts or broadcasts / automatic data feeds (RSS)" are strictly prohibited, right along with P2P sharing or using your BroadbandAccess as a "substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections." Moving on, you'll also see that exceeding 5GB of usage during any single billing period gives Verizon the right to "reduce throughput speeds of any application that would otherwise exceed such speed to a maximum of approximately 200Kbps." It gets worse -- these speeds are (unsurprisingly) "subject to change," so it sounds like your connection can be throttled right on down to a crawl should you pass the 5GB barrier. Have fun!*[Via jkOnTheRun]*...just keep it under 5GB if you know what's good for you.
Verizon pays up for disconnecting heavy users of unlimited data plans
Regrettably, Verizon Wireless isn't the only carrier out there that once (or still does) recognized a mighty skewed definition of "unlimited" when it came to data plans, but for those still jaded from being cut off for "excessive use" earlier this year, justice has finally been served. The company has recently agreed to "reimburse the terminated subscribers for the cost of the laptop cards or laptop-connected cellphones" they purchased in order to surf the mobile broadband highway, and moreover, it'll be shelling out $150,000 in "penalties and costs" to New York state. Of course, the firm now makes clear that BroadbandAccess customers can be snubbed if they continuously stream audio / video content, enable P2P sharing or exceed 5GB of data usage per month, but it sounds like reimbursement is on the way for those disconnected when terms were more ambiguous.
HP's WWAN-equipped Pavilion dv2500t now official
We've known for quite awhile that HP was conjuring up a dv2500 of some sort, but now the machine is ready to roll straight from the firm's webstore. Specs wise, you'll get a 14.1-inch WXGA BrightView display, your choice of Intel Core 2 Duo processors, between 1GB and 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS, 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth, up to 250GB of HDD space, and a dual-layer DVD burner to boot. Moreover, users can opt for an ExpressCard digital / analog TV tuner, 12-cell Li-ion battery, and integrated WWAN (supported by Verizon BroadbandAccess). You'll also find the usual array of ports, including FireWire, S-Video out, a multicard reader, 56k modem jack, Ethernet, VGA out, and a trio of USB 2.0 sockets. Interested? Get your order in now starting at $1,199.99, as machines are slated to ship out in just under a fortnight.[Thanks, Kevin]
Verizon intros Sierra Wireless AirCard 595U EV-DO Rev A USB modem
BroadbandAccess customers, meet Sierra Wireless' AirCard 595U EV-DO Rev A USB modem, which is (almost) finally available to you through Verizon Wireless. Designed for use with your USB port, this EV-DO Rev A modem can also be connected through the included docking cradle, and even comes bundled with VZAccess Manager software. Additionally, the device boasts an internal, removable battery to "ensure there is always enough power support to handle peak or fringe area transmission requirements," and should be available for those interested on August 30th for $179.99 -- after you mail back a pesky rebate and sign your name to a two-year agreement, that is.
Verizon offers standalone BroadbandAccess for $59.99
Talk about déjà vu. Just under two years after Verizon Wireless went ahead and slashed EV-DO prices by twenty bucks, it looks like history has indeed repeated itself. Rather than being forced have a voice plan with the company in order to qualify for the "unlimited" $59.99 BroadBandAccess plan, newcomers can now ink their name to a data-only agreement and receive access for that same price. Notably, those only willing to sign for one year can get in for $79.99 per month without any sort of voice plan, and while we're inclined to believe this this price drop is more or less permanent, it should be mentioned that a "limited time only" blurb does precede the offer.
