9 chapters across the catalog
A trip to Northern Ireland for a wedding at Belle Isle Castle was complicated by poor internet connectivity despite strong Wi-Fi signal strength. The castle relied on a roof-mounted antenna, likely WiMAX, which proved insufficient for broadcasting. The hosts relocated to the Titanic Hotel in Belfast, located near the Titanic Studios where Game of Thrones is filmed, to ensure reliable internet for the program.
5G Spectrum Auctions and Cell Tower Health Concerns
The FCC has opened auctions for high-frequency spectrum up to 3 terahertz for future "6G" or "7G" networks. In Ripon, California, parents are protesting a cell tower at a school after several children were diagnosed with cancer. An electromagnetic radiation specialist found that the tower was transmitting high-power WiMAX frequencies, which have a much longer range and higher intensity than standard Wi-Fi.
Citizens Broadband Radio Service and Mesh Networks
The FCC has proposed the creation of a new "Citizens Broadband Radio Service" in the 3.5 GHz band. Dvorak explains that this frequency, similar to WiMAX, could allow for the development of true city-wide mesh networks that bypass traditional internet service providers. He expresses excitement about the potential for decentralized data networks in Texas.
Libya Wimax Infrastructure and Belgian Arms Exports
Libya has had functional Wimax internet infrastructure in major cities since 2008, contradicting the media portrayal of the country as primitive. Additionally, reports indicate that Belgium has been the top arms exporter to Middle Eastern regimes like Libya and Syria since 2005. The hosts suggest Belgium acts as a "middleman" for international arms deals that other nations cannot conduct directly.
Netherlands Antilles, Internet Connectivity Issues
Technical difficulties during a previous broadcast from the Netherlands Antilles are attributed to poor local internet infrastructure. The discussion covers the limitations of 300 kilobit upstream ADSL and the potential for using WiMAX or multiplexed lines for future remote broadcasts from the island.
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the July 12, 2009, edition of No Agenda from Amsterdam and the Pacific Northwest. Curry describes technical difficulties with his UPC cable internet service in Holland, criticizing the company's customer support and business model.
A new WiMAX service in Amsterdam allows users to purchase a USB stick modem for 90 euros and sign up for prepaid high-speed internet. The service offers five megabits down and one megabit up for approximately $10 per week, providing a reliable alternative to hotel Wi-Fi and failing cable connections.
A new deal has secured the rights to approximately 110 unaired television pilots for digital distribution, offering a look at content that failed to make seasonal rotations. The internet is enabling the growth of niche markets, allowing specialized content to reach a viable global audience that traditional domestic broadcasting cannot support.
Reports claiming the internet will be "full" by 2010 or 2020 are dismissed as marketing tactics by telecommunications companies like AT&T. The hosts suggest these stories are designed to push consumers toward high-level wireless services like WiMAX or HDSPA by creating a false sense of scarcity in traditional broadband.
