PocketMatrix

What is this anyway? I know its wirless. I guess i just dont uderstand what it is though. I mean can you use this anywhere unlike cmdca or whatever that network those wrless internet cards run on? Like is this GSM stuff a popular type of network that can be accessed in most places not just citys? How fast is its internet access? I have been looking for a wireless solution for my ipaq thats not a cellphone forever now since i live in a rual area where cmdca isnt available and i just now saw this ipaq sleeve that uses this gsm stuff for phone and internet looks like an awesome solution to me if i can get it.

it's the standard over in europe, and slowly moving over here... The coverage of GPRS is smaller in my city than CDMA, and i'd guess the same for other cities.

GPRS could be compared to a dialup connection.
CDPD could not

that sucks man im never going to get wirless *crys*. There is no way id use a cellphone due to bulkyness and inconvience of damn minute plans. Does anyone know some way to get wireless in a rual area?

GSM is the current 2G cellphone standard used here in the UK & many countries elsewhere. It's digital but can only support data speeds of 9600. A minority of networks also support HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switch Data) which operates at 14.4.

The recent released GPRS standard is an extension to the GSM technology and is often dubbed 2.5G. It can operate at speeds faster than a dial-up connection. It is also an 'always-on' connection, i.e its always connected whether you're sending/receiving data or just chatting on a voice call, so you only EVER have to connect once and you're instantly notified as soon as a new message hits your inbox. You're also not charged by the duration of your time online, but by the amount of data you send or receive. Due to it's recent introduction though, it's not available on all GSM networks and is only for contract (pay-monthly) customers. It's also pretty expensive atm becuase networks want to recoup the money invested in the technology. Currently it's about £4 for 5 megs!!
You also need to have a GPRS capable handset (or data card). I use it with a T68 & Ipaq 3870 and it definitely rocks! There's defintely something cool about keeping your phone in your pocket (connected via bluetooth), while surfing the net at high speed on your PPC! But 3G looks even more impressive... I'm lucky enough to be previewing the 3G trial in progress on the Isle of Man next month, so i'll keep u posted! Imagine... broadband speed internet while walking down the street...Mmm!

set up your own tower? .. i dunno... satellite would be the only way, but that'd be expensive and superslow.