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The DoTs recent decision effectively excluding ISP bids for WiMax spectrum resurrects memories of Indias past flights of fantasy. The fantasy this time around is the cellular operators commitment to nationally deploy 2.5 GHz spectrum for wireless broadband on WiMax and not hoard it or sneak it for 3G use should ?if the DoT has its way - they be given both.

This is yet another kick-in-the-teeth for Indian ISPs as the nation still has a chastity belt around VoIP disallowing interconnection with the public fixed and mobile telephone networks. Now the punch-drunk Internet providers are barricaded from WiMax in what can only be a total flight from logic.

If the DoT really wants to have an actual, functional, no nonsense ubiquitous mobile truly "wireless broadband" service that allows the country to somewhat retain burnish on the India Shining?plaque at the door, then the guy to deliver it is the one with no vested interest in legacy air interfaces engendering mobility.

Meaning, keep the cellular establishment away from WiMax because theyll do everything with it but provide a no-nonsense ubiquitous mobile truly wireless broadband service that cannibalizes existing revenues and kills those hot 3G dreams.

In fairness our incumbent and cellular friends (same difference) would use WiMax for backhaul, meaning its a great way to connect base stations back to the mother ship while customers continue connecting to these base stations over existing cellular air interface investments. Theyd also use WiMax to provide fixed wireless local loops (WLL) into homes in another area they consider relatively unexciting compared to cellulars mother lode. Remember how Reliance sneaked cellular to the public in the guise of WLL? It was cellular mobility Reliance coveted not boring old fixed wireless local loops. And its WiMaxs vaunted mobility the cellular establishment wants to keep out of ISP reach and away from the user.

Keeping it real Id probably do the same in cellular shoes. The Internet is synonymous with freebies, long distance and fixed line voice revenues are going that way too with the only telecom real estate left making money being inside the cell phone. You put a WiMax broadband eight-lane highway into the cell phone and there goes that walled garden.

No one asks the cellular establishment be denied spectrum for wireless broadband. Let them keep their existing chunks of 3.5 GHz admirably suited for WLL but dont waste 2.5 GHz or 2.3 Ghz which god gave to engender mobility over wireless broadband footprints. Assign that mission to the ISPs.

Globally, the cellular establishment goes to incredible lengths to protect legacy investment and eschew air interfaces that lend themselves more naturally to Internet access. No reason to think their Indian chapter will do anything other than prevaricate thus until legacy costs are fully amortized and beyond. Consumers are to pay for cellular airtime until the establishments books cease demanding tithe. Until that happens, no video, YouTube or VoIP access is going to be efficiently allowed on to your mobile phone.

3G is the cellular establishments answer to broadband and they've already spent US$150Billion globally on licenses and similar change on deployment. Why would the Indian cellular establishment go with anything else? More so because tried and tested equipment is available today to make 2G & 3G networks appear seamless. WiMax is a totally different technology and while roaming is possible, it calls for a completely different outlook to providing what is essentially a very data centric service - somthing the cellular operator is not comfortable with as yet, unlike the ISP for whom it is his very bread & butter. Just a look at the imprecations cast at WiMax mobility by the august cellular lobby suggests their love for any technology other than 3G may not be all encompassing.

Ergo, any spectrum available for true wireless broadband over 2.5 GHz or 700 MHz is least likely to be used by the cellular establishment to speedily engender mobile access over non-cellular technologies like WiMax. The sensible way forward would be to have the cellular operator focus on proper 3G deployment while the larger ISPs are madated to deliver on national WiMax.

The DoT of course doesnt see it this way and humors a lobby whose massive investment in legacy networks ensures theyll continue buck trends positing that not only are more and more Indians going to spend more and more time on the Internet but well do it over fatter bandwidth and wireless connectivity.

Doing the math, fatter bandwidth translates into at least 3 to 5 Mbits/second of ubiquitous wireless broadband speeds to the mobile handset if we are to go beyond SMS messaging or Blackberry and into the realm of true mobile internet access to our mail servers, to YouTube, Videoblogs, interactive gaming, and movies.

Given that the fastest cellular 3G speeds available to a cell phone today and forever are around 500 to 700 very expensive kbits/sec means we have a situation.

Almost everyone I see on the street in Indian metros flaunts state-of-the-art cell phones and so I suspect therere enough such phones around to make my argument. Which is, when was the last time you used this WiFi capability? Its a safe bet the wireless broadband highway into your mobile phone lies unused while you pay the cellular provider to check email over Blackberry and to download music files. As far as easy online access to YouTube or interactive TV & gaming go, forget about it because 3G or no 3G, cellular technology has no answers. The cellular establishment has circumscribed the user and were all culpable for allowing this to happen.

The reason you dont use the mobile phones WiFi feature is because it is intentionally unfriendly but mainly because you are hooked to the cellular service due to its billion dollar mobility feature and thats where you and your phone lock-on automatically. If ubiquitous mobile true wireless broadband did happen, youd happily use it instead of buying expensive airtime on souped-up cellular air interfaces poorly suited for data downloads and youd stop thumbing away on band-aids like Blackberry.

Why is all this so important to a still largely poor country like India? Because India today is in the same ballpark as China when it comes to Internet use. Thats the good news. The sad part is that most Indians still use dial-up and we arent close to even being close to China in broadband penetration. Given a proven penchant for mobility and video India however is fertile ground for massive growth in mobile broadband Internet access. The DoT decision favoring the camp opposing precisely this possibility does not help engender critical mass to complete with our giant friend hovering over the Himalayas. Todays defense is in economic growth which is where more chunks of 2.5 GHz spectrum needs deployment, not in the fastness of South Block.

Early this year the Malaysian Regulator MCMC disallowed Malaysias cellular establishment from bidding for wireless broadband. He had good reason for his ruling as the cellular operators has absolutely nothing to show on past wireless broadband commitments.

Belaboring further, Google eyeballed the American cellular mastodon on behalf of ISPs in the current run up to the 2008 FCC auction for nation-wide chunks of 700 MHz. Early August this year the FCC Chairman announced ground rules for the slugfest and while not totally granting Googles petition enough was ceded to ensure a third pipe?allowing ISPs a fighting chance to offer ubiquitous, true wireless broadband mobility in the face of a recalcitrant cellular lobby. Here's the point. In America the arguments have advanced to whether a spectrum owner - Telco or ISP, doesn't matter - should have to allow any and all devices to connect unencumbered and whether the owner should be forced to offer wholesale spectrum to other providers. To the cellular estabishments chagrin the FCC is also working with wireless broadband proponents to test devices that would access white (meaning unused) space in TV Broadcast spectrum. Rather than engage the Industry at such sophisticated levels DoT forces Indian ISPs to waste time fighting just to be allowed into the auction room.

what we see is that while regulators elsewhere have cause to suspect the cellular establishments bona fides the DoT appears starry eyed in faith and touchingly monogamous in intent.

The DoT may not realize (who am I kidding?) but their decision helps ensure a new much-needed technology doesnt come in the way of the cellular establishment milking their incumbent networks into near perpetuity.

The preponderance of advantage enjoyed by incumbents means a regulator or deciding body like the DoT fails even if it simply remains scrupulously neutral. Be it the EU, North America, Australia, Malaysia or India for that matter in the past, we see definitive change only happen through rulings that give a real edge to newcomers and ISPs. In fairness, the TRAIs forward thinking on regulatory matters is only matched by an inability to stand up to the DoT. So the ball being in DoTs court when one sees it fail even at neutrality to the extent of openly favoring incumbents, attempted flippancy cant really hide the distaste.

Should however the DoT choose to listen, radical departure from legacy may work wonders for users as well as the industry. That includes the cellular establishment whose own long term interests are ill-served by their present approach. Inviting the ISPs to bid as equals benefits all. One can only hope the DoT does what is best for the Indian consumer and for this wonderful technology that allows us so much magic over the ether.

Weather balloons floating in the Earth's atmosphere at the moment could possibly be used to provide mobile phone and broadband services to Rural Britain.

An American company, Space Data, has had success with an innovative idea, whereby it attaches small phone masts to weather balloons. This then provides isolated areas with wireless internet access.

The Arizona based group has provided military and commercial clients for four years and are now prepared to link their idea with telecoms and broadband companies in order to bring their idea to the masses.

The working behind the novel wireless provider is that a very small transceiver is attached to the weather balloon that then rises to a total altitude of 100,000ft. According to the company, one balloon can produce a signal that is as strong as 80 mobile phone towers and could therefore enable a lot more people to have broadband internet connections. The company also believe that for the entire United States, 70 balloons would be all that was needed to provide everyone with wireless internet.

The balloons are released by local farmers and other land workers who are paid to deploy them. The balloons are released in areas that have not had wireless internet connections due to the companies who provide them considering it uneconomic, as there are few people in the area.

Around 20% of the United States is out of range for any wireless connection, and it has long been an issue in Britain that many rural areas are unable to receive a wireless signal or are expected to pay over the odds in order to get one, therefore, meaning that they have no option for cheap broadband. Consequently, if this idea was to take off, there would be a large number of people who would benefit.

Space Data are very productive at the moment and release around 10 balloons a day from places in South America that do not receive a wireless signal and is interested in providing its service for the UK. This service is one of many that have seen the potential and the financial benefits that the rural wireless connection market could offer.

Space Data have said that companies that are not offering rural areas a wireless connection are missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars a year. The group have said that they have tapped into a business that is potentially worth $10 billion market.

It would appear that there is a solution to the wireless connection problem, however, not a very long-term one, as the balloons last 24 hours before they burst. The expensive equipment then has to be retrieved; this is done using GPS devices. Environmental groups have said that they fear that the burst balloons could prove a threat to any animals that may eat the latex.

The limited time that the balloons last could prove expensive and difficult, however, if the company could arrive at an idea that would enable the balloons to last longer, then the skies the limit.

Space Data has decided to link their weather balloon idea with telecoms and broadband companies.

The weather balloons could mean that more people are able to receive wireless broadband connections.

Some rural areas in Britain are unable to get a cheap broadband connection as they have to pay over the odds just to receive a basic connection.

Weather balloons floating in the Earth's atmosphere at the moment could possibly be used to provide mobile phone and broadband services to Rural Britain.

An American company, Space Data, has had success with an innovative idea, whereby it attaches small phone masts to weather balloons. This then provides isolated areas with wireless internet access.

The Arizona based group has provided military and commercial clients for four years and are now prepared to link their idea with telecoms and broadband companies in order to bring their idea to the masses.

The working behind the novel wireless provider is that a very small transceiver is attached to the weather balloon that then rises to a total altitude of 100,000ft. According to the company, one balloon can produce a signal that is as strong as 80 mobile phone towers and could therefore enable a lot more people to have broadband internet connections. The company also believe that for the entire United States, 70 balloons would be all that was needed to provide everyone with wireless internet.

The balloons are released by local farmers and other land workers who are paid to deploy them. The balloons are released in areas that have not had wireless internet connections due to the companies who provide them considering it uneconomic, as there are few people in the area.

Around 20% of the United States is out of range for any wireless connection, and it has long been an issue in Britain that many rural areas are unable to receive a wireless signal or are expected to pay over the odds in order to get one, therefore, meaning that they have no option for cheap broadband. Consequently, if this idea was to take off, there would be a large number of people who would benefit.

Space Data are very productive at the moment and release around 10 balloons a day from places in South America that do not receive a wireless signal and is interested in providing its service for the UK. This service is one of many that have seen the potential and the financial benefits that the rural wireless connection market could offer.

Space Data have said that companies that are not offering rural areas a wireless connection are missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars a year. The group have said that they have tapped into a business that is potentially worth $10 billion market.

It would appear that there is a solution to the wireless connection problem, however, not a very long-term one, as the balloons last 24 hours before they burst. The expensive equipment then has to be retrieved; this is done using GPS devices. Environmental groups have said that they fear that the burst balloons could prove a threat to any animals that may eat the latex.

The limited time that the balloons last could prove expensive and difficult, however, if the company could arrive at an idea that would enable the balloons to last longer, then the skies the limit.

Space Data has decided to link their weather balloon idea with telecoms and broadband companies.

The weather balloons could mean that more people are able to receive wireless broadband connections.

Some rural areas in Britain are unable to get a cheap broadband connection as they have to pay over the odds just to receive a basic connection.

The Post Office has been a mainstay of the British community for as long as any of us can remember. While they may have their problems with postal strikes and the like, the GPO remains an institution looked upon fondly by many of us.

With the advent of the internet and email, one would think the Post Office would become almost obsolete, but that isn't the case. In fact, far from it. While the ordinary letter can now be sent via the internet, the soaring popularity of online shopping means that the GPO is inundated with parcels from all over the world every day.

And now, finally, the Post Office is realizing just what a commodity the internet is, and has jumped aboard. The familiar red and yellow logo can now be associated with broadband. And not just any broadband. The GPO has recognised something that so many other providers failed to; that not everybody can or wants to pay for their internet by direct debit.

Instead, Post Office customers can choose to pay for their broadband over the counter of their local branch - a tactic that is especially appealing to the 'silver surfers'; the over 50's who regularly use the net. Because many providers charge an extra fee if a bill is paid by anything other than direct debit, the Post Office's way is a boon for those who don't trust money coming out of their account, or who prefer to pay for bills as and when they arrive rather than on the same day each month.

Providers such as TalkTalk, who only offer one vague payment date per month - anytime between the 24th and 27th - and who charge a 3.50 per bill fee for credit card or postal order payments, may do well to follow the Post Office's example.

As well as the convenient payment methods, the Post Office also has the advantage of being a subsidiary of BT, meaning the availability of the broadband service is an unrivaled 95%, compared to the average 60% for other providers.

The only downside of the GPO broadband service is the low download limit on the standard tariff. 5MB per month is enough for most light users, but a heavier user may need far more than this. It is possible to get a good deal with a larger download limit if you shop around and compare deals from different providers. Decide what you want from your broadband and make your comparisons.

Want broadband? Find cheap broadband by comparing broadband providers online.

J Tillotson is a UK author specialising in technology and communications.

The Post Office has been a mainstay of the British community for as long as any of us can remember. While they may have their problems with postal strikes and the like, the GPO remains an institution looked upon fondly by many of us.

With the advent of the internet and email, one would think the Post Office would become almost obsolete, but that isn't the case. In fact, far from it. While the ordinary letter can now be sent via the internet, the soaring popularity of online shopping means that the GPO is inundated with parcels from all over the world every day.

And now, finally, the Post Office is realizing just what a commodity the internet is, and has jumped aboard. The familiar red and yellow logo can now be associated with broadband. And not just any broadband. The GPO has recognised something that so many other providers failed to; that not everybody can or wants to pay for their internet by direct debit.

Instead, Post Office customers can choose to pay for their broadband over the counter of their local branch - a tactic that is especially appealing to the 'silver surfers'; the over 50's who regularly use the net. Because many providers charge an extra fee if a bill is paid by anything other than direct debit, the Post Office's way is a boon for those who don't trust money coming out of their account, or who prefer to pay for bills as and when they arrive rather than on the same day each month.

Providers such as TalkTalk, who only offer one vague payment date per month - anytime between the 24th and 27th - and who charge a 3.50 per bill fee for credit card or postal order payments, may do well to follow the Post Office's example.

As well as the convenient payment methods, the Post Office also has the advantage of being a subsidiary of BT, meaning the availability of the broadband service is an unrivaled 95%, compared to the average 60% for other providers.

The only downside of the GPO broadband service is the low download limit on the standard tariff. 5MB per month is enough for most light users, but a heavier user may need far more than this. It is possible to get a good deal with a larger download limit if you shop around and compare deals from different providers. Decide what you want from your broadband and make your comparisons.

Want broadband? Find cheap broadband by comparing broadband providers online.

J Tillotson is a UK author specialising in technology and communications.

The most costly portion of any point to point data connection is the local loop, commonly referred to as the last mile? A local loop provided by the local exchange carrier (LEC) is a tariffed product that does not mirror current market rates. For many years, the LEC used commercial services to subsidize a mandate to provide services to all residential customers.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 created competition to provide local loops to business customers. New companies commonly referred to as competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) began to overbuild fiber networks to provide the last mile to business customers. The CLECs were not burdened with the requirement of providing service to all residential customers and therefore were able to provide aggressive prices for last mile connections.

The collapse of the telecom industry at the turn of the last century forced many of the early CLECs into bankruptcy. The fiber networks they built, however, are still in service. The trick is to know where to find them and understand how to leverage them. Finding alternative last mile providers is a combination of good detective work, tribal knowledge and creativity.

The first step in finding an alternative local loop provider is to determine what network providers have service to your building. If an alternative provider is already servicing customers in your location then you should be able to acquire a local loop for a fraction of the cost of one provided by the LEC. This is where the detective work comes into play. You can start by asking neighbors who provides their telecommunications service.

If there are no known alternative local loop providers in your building the next step is to determine which providers have network within 1000 feet of your location. This typically will classify your building as near-net?to a provider. In many cases an alternative local loop provider will consider extending their existing network to your location to provide service. The cost of the build out is then worked into your monthly service charge. Each network provider has a different business model to determine how much of the burdened cost of the network build is passed along to the customer. You want to search for a company that is willing to shoulder some of the cost in exchange for additional customers that they will acquire in your building.

The final option to consider is building a private fiber network to connect your locations, Although a large undertaking and extremely time consuming it can sometimes provide a short payback period of your bandwidth requirements are large. If you do not have a capital budget for this type of construction project there are companies that will build the network and lease it back in the form of a monthly service charge.

A prime example of a custom network build-out is a XXXXXXX company we recently serviced. They needed connectivity, but the LEC was going to charge $28K per month for lesser bandwidth. We were able to design and deploy a custom build of an OC48 connection for only $15K per month. With NEFs help, this company was able to get five times the bandwidth for nearly half the cost.

Deciding what connectivity solution is right for you will depend on your individual needs, time frame, budget, bandwidth and security, but you should take the time to find out if a fiber connection to avoid the local loop is possible.

Is there an easier way to find an alternative local loop provider? Call NEF at 877-DK-FIBER. One phone call will get you access to information on 40+ fiber providers and a database of nearly 30,000 lit buildings. If your location is not currently on-net with a service provider, NEF will map out the closest available networks.

At NEF, we have over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, and we want to empower you with dark fiber information and services. Because NEF is carrier-neutral, our allegiance is to our customers and our charge is negotiating the best possible scenario to fit our customers' needs. Call us today at 877-DK-FIBER for more information!