Wireless

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Wireless broadband access is now available in the Northeast Kingdom. Recent upgrades to the existing towers and a few brand new ones now allow residents of the Northeast Kingdom to get near-broadband speeds on any computer as long as they are within the coverage area. This service is provided by Verizon.
The first indicator that something was changing came last summer when cell phone customers in the Burke areas experienced an interruption in their service lasting nearly a week and when their phones started working again there was a different symbol on their screen. The towers were upgraded from standard digital, represented by a 1X on the screen, to an enhanced digital signal that appears as an EV on the cell phone screen. EVDO (Evolution-Data Optimized) is a telecommunications standard for the wireless transmission of data through radio signals. This allows wireless Internet access where no cable or DSL service is available.
What you need to know: Verizon says connection speeds are between 600 Kps and 1.4 Mbps (Charter Communications offers speeds of up to 5 Mbps for cable modem users). The cost is $59.99 a month for unlimited use; it does require a 24-month contract with Verizon Wireless. The modems are either PCI cards, for laptops only, or they now offer USB modems that will work in any device that has a USB 2.0 port built in. Windows or Macintosh is fine, and you can move the modem from device to device depending on your wireless needs.
Who should be interested: 
This service is good for travelers, and for the rural resident who previously had no way of getting high speed internet at home. The cost is comparable to Charter's high speed pipeline service but is not limited to one location. You can take your laptop anywhere in the country and receive the same connection you do at home.