Wireless Broadband Internet Service ?
No ... This is not “Wi-Fi” ... It’s the other wireless!
by Art Vuilleumier, Owner and founder of Just-In-Time ! Real Estate Technology Services
If you are constantly trying to figure out how to access the internet while at a client or prospects’ home or even if you are out on the road, there may be a new class of wireless internet service available to you !
No this is not Wi-Fi, this is a subscription service that uses the cellular phone system ... read on for the details !
If you are one of the many real estate practitioners that are tired of trying to find a network place to plug in to or a Wi-Fi “hotspot” to use, Wireless Internet Broadband Service may be “THE solution” for you!
As current Wi-Fi users know, the biggest problem with it is the limited range, peculiar configurations and difficult connectivity issues, and ... connectivity is constrained to work areas where access is available; if you want to go online, you have to find a “hotspot” ... such as a truck stop, bookstore, coffee shop, restaurant or public library ... and work near there. Frequently you have to pay for your time online!
Wireless broadband service removes most of those constraints (except the cost factor) and also offers a much faster connection speed. Some broadband service providers such as Cingular, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel promise download speeds of between 400 and 700 kilobytes per second (kbps), which is significantly faster than the 100 kbps or so offered by most Wi-Fi access points and providers. However, it is more commonly in the 115kbps range for most users ... an adequate and common DSL grade of service ! This kind of service is commonly referred to as EV-DO service ... (click here for a Wikipeida explanation of the technology)
From my perspective, there aren’t many downsides to this service, except one; Wireless broadband is only as reliable as your cellular phone service. It’s subject to the same disruptions, dropped calls and dead spots as voice service. But cell service still has a broader reach in most locations than Wi-Fi hotspots. In fact, Verizon, for instance boasts broadband class service in over 184 major metropolitan service areas and DSL class service in nearly all of their network service areas! Sprint, Cingular and Alltel quote similar figures!
You can finally access the Internet while in the airport, at the jobsite, or even in a car with the freedom of working anywhere you can acquire a cell phone signal!
Since the new wireless broadband services are delivered over the same towers as cell service, users can experience a broadband connection as they roam, wherever a cellular signal can reach a compatible phone, PDA, or laptop.
Real estate professionals will have a way to show a lot of pictures, access their MLS or Online contact managers such as TOP PRODUCER or even video of comparable properties, wherever they are working!
No more planning your Web time around Wi-Fi hotspots; simply log on whenever you need to from wherever you are!
Speed
Quickly download complex files and view email attachments with average download speeds of 400-700 kbps capable of reaching up to 2.0Mbps.
I’ve consistently experienced speeds of 110kbps to 119kbps in my travels from Maine to Florida in rural areas and the advertised speeds of 400 to 700kb in metropolitan areas!
Simplicity
BroadbandAccess is easy to set-up and use. No wires, phone jacks, or separate Internet service provider (ISP) required. Simply connect to the internet with a BroadbandAccess-capable PC card or phone (a TREO 650 is one such phone that plugs in via a special cord to your PC) that slides directly into most laptops. Plus, manage the business and Internet applications you need with Access Management Software, usually a single easy-to-use control panel.
Some considerations
Availability : Wireless broadband service is NOT available everywhere. Check with your cell service provider and other local providers to find out if and when broadband wireless will be available in your area.
Do you need it ?? (Or do you just want it ? ) : For anyone with a burning need to log on to the Internet or access the company network from the field, some form of wireless broadband connection makes sense. Whether that’s Wi-Fi or wireless broadband, you have to determine which will work for you! If there are enough hotspots in your area to allow you to periodically connect to the Web throughout the day, you may be better served postponing the move up to wireless broadband for now. Otherwise, a wireless service plan may be your only choice. Check to see if your current provider has add-on plans to your existing service or phone!
Wireless broadband is a premium service, often charged in addition to an existing call plan. If you want wireless broadband access, it only makes sense to have an unlimited-service package so that you don’t incur additional charges for all the times that you log onto the Internet. The price of an unlimited calling plan is about $60 a month with Sprint and Verizon.
Do you have the hardware to support it ? : Evaluate your hardware needs. If you are a laptop user, you’ll need a PC card slot for the special 3G modem card. Expect to pay around $50 to $250 for that card, with a 2 year service contract. If it’s time to trade up from your cell phone or PDA and can foresee the value of a broadband connection, look at handhelds which already offer that compatibility or an easy path to it such as the TREO 650 or 700 phones! Some notebook companies have announced they’ll build wireless broadband capabilities into some notebook models soon!
Is it worth the cost? : In my opinion ... it is , but only you can determine that. In my busy day, especially if I am in an area that I have to pre-plan for internet connectivity (as when I’m giving a training session) I no longer have to worry if the facility or client location has internet connectivity. I’ve brought my own, and it allows me to concentrate on training and client activities instead of dealing with tech and connection problems!
The future! : This is the tough one ... there are many competing plans and technologies vying to provide internet access to you ... for instance, currently there are many municipalities planning for free Wi-Fi access to be available !
However, wireless broadband service is already offered by most cellular providers, and as for the pricing, competition could bring more service options and drive down pricing as carriers try to sign up subscribers. At the same time, Wi-Fi hotspot placement will certainly continue to grow, filling in the coverage map in major cities and larger towns. So if Wi-Fi currently meets your wireless Internet needs, you might want to see if there will be more choices in equipment and plans and better pricing if you wait !
As for me, broadband wireless fulfills the kind of convenience and certainty I expect for my business and I believe we can expect it to become a business necessity within the next year or so!
Is it for me? : Only you can make the decision as to whether you should move up to wireless broadband access or stick with Wi-Fi. However, if having wireless broadband access will save you time and boost your productivity, you can make the move with confidence.
If you decide to get this ... It can be your technology productivity secret, and your competative advantage!
Happy Selling !
Art Vuilleumier, Owner and founder of Just-In-Time ! Real Estate Technology Services has helped many top producing agents and companies increase their production and lower their costs through the implementation of technology.
Just In Time Real Estate Technology Services Provides Real Estate Technology Services, Training, Coaching and Consulting as well as Top Producer 6i and 7i training in Southern Maine, New Hampshire, Las Vegas Nevada and North Central Florida.
You can visit his website at www.jittech.com, e-mail him at art@jittech.com
or reach him toll-free at 888-767-0119
Copyright 2006 All rights reserved
