Online. Anytime. Anywhere... Maybe

Online without wires, or something similar is the tagline of one of the ISP's. Seems such a neat idea, doesn't it. No more cables and be totally free. Hmm... will electricity come over the airwaves as well?

In any case, I got one of those nifty little devices also. Its not for myself, though; someone else wanted one and I get to play around with it.

I first looked at the offerings on different websites then decided to go to the nearest store. That turned out to be WiTribe. They have this secret little shop that has a couple of people playing Solitaire who don't like to be disturbed. I asked for a WiMax USB device. The salesguy came up with this immediate reply: Not gonna work. Eh?, I asked? He explained to me that USB-based devices are no good and don't work neither. And not to buy one. He did have a bigger device but didn't want to sell it as their service doesn't work in Defense area. He told me that I would be better off going to PTCL or WorldCall. I guess he really wanted to get back to his Solitaire game.

I am also a WorldCall cable customer. 'Nuff said. Didn't want to struggle with their customer service again.

So, I get in my car (It's a great car, by the way, even got a sun-roof) and drove off to PTCL's One Stop Shop.

Yes, they had a USB device that they were willing to sell. I asked about coverage area and what I'd do if it didn't work. The reply was straight and simple: "Too bad", she said, "if it don't work. There's nothing you can do about it". "Uh", I replied. I then tried to ask about changing the package as it said in their brochure, just to make intelligent conversation. The answer was: "The brochure may say so, but we don't make changes". Okey, dokey. I get the picture. I was also told that it would take another day to get the device activated. Enough, being enough, I did what I should have in the first place: Called a PTCL big shot. From then on I got a dozen calls from the small shots and the thing started working early in the morning.

Today's world may be empowering the customer but over here the rule of Caveat Emptor is the only one that is followed. Money talks only while you are paying someone, but once you've paid, don't even think of getting after sales service.

As it turned out, the EVO device works perfectly here in my office. Will it continue working in other locations?