Using WiMAX To Replace a Phone? 169
vigmeister writes "I've decided to explore the possibility of using a netbook/MID as a phone while eschewing the services of a cellphone provider. Now that Atlanta (where I live) has WiMAX from Clear, I ought to be connected to the Internet everywhere within the city (once I sign up). Theoretically, this should mean that I will be able to use my netbook as a cell phone. Of course, there are some very real issues to overcome and I am simply putting this experiment together to see if it is something that is realistically possible.
This could possibly extend to uncapped 3G connections (if they exist any more) as well. Are there any obvious problems you would foresee? Is there anything I have missed or any other questions I should attempt to answer in this 'experiment' of mine? A major issue is, of course, the fact that my pseudo-netbook has to be carried everywhere and always left on."
Re:Er... (Score:5, Funny)
Problem solved...
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/8928/ [thinkgeek.com]
Problem? Naaaaaah (Score:5, Funny)
Are there any obvious problems you would foresee?
"Oh my god, someone call 9-1-1!"
"Hang on, let me get my computer out of suspend...
And put my headset on...
Ok, I am dialing...
Hello, yes, emergency-- What? You are the 9-1-1 dispatch center where? Tulsa?"
Re:Problems (Score:3, Funny)
One expert recommended that everyone spend some time practicing dialing 911 so that their brains are adequately prepared to do it under stress.
You may want to unplug your phone from the PSTN before trying this.
Re:You're delusional (Score:5, Funny)
you still aren't going to get good signal inside of most public buildings.
Isn't that like the company motto of most cellphone providers?
Re:You're delusional (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Problem? Naaaaaah (Score:3, Funny)
"Hang on, let me get my computer out of suspend...
And put my headset on...
I'm going to put on my robe and wizard hat...