WiMax
My internets had all run out so it was a good chance for me to retain my electronic gentlemen status by investing in new gadgets, namely; WiMax!
The process is rather simple - I went to an electronics store, filled out the form, got a 15 day free trial & the hardware. There is only one device per brand / store. Mine is i-o data (LABI), which was cheaper than the BIC CAMERA model (by 4000 yen) - they are essentially the same.
The hardware consists of a router and a usb key. The key is the arial, which can be plugged into my laptop while I'm out and about, and the router works at home. (it also makes my $300 apple router rather obsolete) Getting connected is as simple as typing in the WEP key printed on the router.
Out and about is a little trickier - there are no drivers for the mac. So it's a windows only experience right now.
Speeds are actually realistically faster than my old old wired 100mbit connection, however it's only 40mbit - and only works in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. I tested this by greedily getting my hands on the largest files possible at such short notice - 1080p apple trailers. My old connection would have to sit and load half way through. No such woes here.
Costiness is also rather reasonable, about the same as you would pay for your home connection. Hardware is a little over 17,000 yen (about $185 all in)
Out of the box WiMax lets you connect all the computers within your house by simply logging onto the wifi network the router creates. No fuss.
WiMax works globally too. So say for example for some reason I need to go to London or New York, tomorrow, I only need to bring my USB key and it'll use my account, with no change in monthly fee. Roaming is essentially part of the deal.
Maybe when they get it working on the mac, I'll be able to do that.
