Ispot plus itouch for a phone?
November 28, 2010 12:46 AM Subscribe
Can I use Clearwire ispot or clearspot with a ipodtouch and skype or similar service as a cell phone replacement?
Theoretically, yes. And no.
You can make VoIP calls over Clear's network, but it's going to be relatively inconvenient for a number of reasons:
1) The iSpot has limited battery life - not nearly what you might get on a cell phone.
2) Latency - I've made SIP calls over the iSpot before, and if I'm having a REALLY good day on a 4G connection, the calls are relatively clear. As soon as the latency picks up, though, they do deteriorate. 3G is worse.
Skype may perform better, but you have to pay for calls to the PSTN as opposed to the free calls to other Skype users. That may not be cost effective.
So - yeah, if you were hell bent on doing so, you could do it. You could also have a steam-powered automobile but it's not very practical.
posted by Thistledown at 10:17 AM on November 28, 2010
You can make VoIP calls over Clear's network, but it's going to be relatively inconvenient for a number of reasons:
1) The iSpot has limited battery life - not nearly what you might get on a cell phone.
2) Latency - I've made SIP calls over the iSpot before, and if I'm having a REALLY good day on a 4G connection, the calls are relatively clear. As soon as the latency picks up, though, they do deteriorate. 3G is worse.
Skype may perform better, but you have to pay for calls to the PSTN as opposed to the free calls to other Skype users. That may not be cost effective.
So - yeah, if you were hell bent on doing so, you could do it. You could also have a steam-powered automobile but it's not very practical.
posted by Thistledown at 10:17 AM on November 28, 2010
I'm currently using an iphone 3GS with an ipad data plan as my 'phone.'
As a phone, it sucks. I have a google voice number that people can call, but that won't ring me. I have to wait for google to take a message and email that to me. I can call out with skype, but its very very clunky and the call quality low. Text messaging mostly works, again through google voice. Push notifications are a bit better then having everything go through email. Still laggy.
I'm stubborn and the $30 a month I'm paying now is about all I'm willing to hand over to AT&T. But I should really upgrade to a real phone plan. I'm mostly sticking with my system because I don't want to sign a 2 year contract. If you're a cheapskate you're OK with mostly an ipod and a hack of a phone, then try it.
posted by kjell at 1:21 PM on November 28, 2010
As a phone, it sucks. I have a google voice number that people can call, but that won't ring me. I have to wait for google to take a message and email that to me. I can call out with skype, but its very very clunky and the call quality low. Text messaging mostly works, again through google voice. Push notifications are a bit better then having everything go through email. Still laggy.
I'm stubborn and the $30 a month I'm paying now is about all I'm willing to hand over to AT&T. But I should really upgrade to a real phone plan. I'm mostly sticking with my system because I don't want to sign a 2 year contract. If you're a cheapskate you're OK with mostly an ipod and a hack of a phone, then try it.
posted by kjell at 1:21 PM on November 28, 2010
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posted by dougiedd at 10:03 AM on November 28, 2010