[aprssig] Cell Phone APRS

[wa7nwp]

>> Microsoft is experimenting with Mobile Social Networking:
>>  <http://www.techweb.com/wire/ebiz/193200689;jsessionid=5DKSFKQMFOKIOQSNDLRSKHSCJUNN2JVN> 
>>
>>
>>
>>   
> 
> " Because SLAM uses a cellular network's data pipe to send and receive 
> messages, Microsoft warns potential users that they need an unlimited 
> data plan to avoid a phone bill that could reach as high as $600 a month 
> or more." 

> I'd say APRS still has a slight edge in cost.......


Maybe but not as much as it appears...   The APRS-IS infrastructure is 
certainly not free.  It's totally subsidized by the donations of the 
Tier1 and Tier2 servers, their hosts and the efforts of the individuals 
involved.  Also here we could include the value of the computers and 
internet connections of all the Igates.    Now for that expense, how 
much actual RF data is flowing?  Don't consider the TCP/IP client 
connections.

The core servers for each Tier 1 and Tier 2 could probably be leased for 
$1k total each Tier.    So that's a couple thousand fixed monthly to 
spread across the thousands of users.  Far less then cell phone true - 
but it's also far less data, slower and in less locations.

The real lesson here is that we have to appreciate the services that 
we're getting for free and to really show that appreciation by using them..

73
Bill - WA7NWP