USI Wireless Review
Apr. 9th, 2008 09:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
abracanabra(Originally for ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ethel, but I figured others might find it helpful.)
I do like it.
Out and About
My laptop has a really old internal wi-fi modem that has some serious issues connecting to the signal, so I can't really use it *directly* most places. My husband's laptop, OTOH, is newer and has a better modem and has no problems sending and receiving.
At Home
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone in an apartment building unless they could check out how the reception is *in their apartment* using the special modem beforehand, and I wouldn't recommend signing the several-years contract. It also doesn't work very well on the ground floor. I would recommend it to anyone still on dial-up, because it costs maybe $5-$10 more and is *way* better. The speeds are still not as good as DSL or cable, but they are better than, say, the free wi-fi you'll get at a coffee shop.
The main annoying thing is that it only works perfectly about 95% of the time. 5% of the time, at least in our area, it will intermittently be unable to connect. This seems to be related to the weather, the phase of the moon, or something else we can't figure out. It's not "out for two hours" unable to connect, it's "one minute it works, the next it doesn't, the next it does, the next it doesn't."
But for the price, it can't be beat. Just make sure you buy the special receiver/modem they sell, 'cause it really makes a difference.
* Note: We're on the tier 2 level.
ethel, but I figured others might find it helpful.)I do like it.
Out and About
My laptop has a really old internal wi-fi modem that has some serious issues connecting to the signal, so I can't really use it *directly* most places. My husband's laptop, OTOH, is newer and has a better modem and has no problems sending and receiving.
At Home
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone in an apartment building unless they could check out how the reception is *in their apartment* using the special modem beforehand, and I wouldn't recommend signing the several-years contract. It also doesn't work very well on the ground floor. I would recommend it to anyone still on dial-up, because it costs maybe $5-$10 more and is *way* better. The speeds are still not as good as DSL or cable, but they are better than, say, the free wi-fi you'll get at a coffee shop.
The main annoying thing is that it only works perfectly about 95% of the time. 5% of the time, at least in our area, it will intermittently be unable to connect. This seems to be related to the weather, the phase of the moon, or something else we can't figure out. It's not "out for two hours" unable to connect, it's "one minute it works, the next it doesn't, the next it does, the next it doesn't."
But for the price, it can't be beat. Just make sure you buy the special receiver/modem they sell, 'cause it really makes a difference.
* Note: We're on the tier 2 level.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-10 02:26 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-10 02:55 am (UTC)http://revision3.com/systm/surfer/
Won't work for everyone, might for you.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-10 10:17 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-11 12:36 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-11 10:07 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-10 03:30 am (UTC)Of course, Comcast just boosted the crap out of their speeds so I'm glad I ended up sticking with them. Of course, it helps that I was splitting the cost with more people.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-10 03:45 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-10 10:17 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-10 10:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-10 10:34 pm (UTC)...
..
.
Make that, "If I was rich,"
(no subject)
Date: 2008-05-23 03:14 pm (UTC)USI wireless
Date: 2008-06-18 12:30 am (UTC)Cheap, yes, but lousy product in my opinion. It simply didn't work. And I was never told when ordering that they didn't have enough nodes in my area.
I think this city made a mistake.
It's OK
Date: 2008-09-06 10:54 pm (UTC)I live in a house near Kenny -- about 1/2 a block away from one of USI's WAPs. I didn't buy their modem - just use the built-in antenna on my macbook.
Service and performance are pretty good for $20/month.
USI Wireless
Date: 2011-02-03 08:08 pm (UTC)