[Info-vax] OT: HP becomes an MVNO (selling wireless data plans)

[Jan-Erik Soderholm]

JF Mezei wrote 2011-05-09 15:21:
> Mr Vaxman, you may wish to take your blood pressure medication before
> reading on ....
>
>
> http://www.hp.com/go/datapass
>
> pricing:
> http://datapass.peregrinenet.com/
>
> This is based on the Sprint old CDMA/EVDO system. Hp seems to not even
> be the direct MVNO, they go through Peregrine.
>
>
> This is where Mr VAXman will be overjoyed:
>
> What do I need to use HP DataPass?
> All you need is an HP notebook PC with an integrated mobile broadband
> module powered by Gobi **running Microsoft Windows** and a valid credit
> card. No subscriptions, no contracts.
>
>
> And it seems to want some proprietary software from HP. (I guess they
> would need this to prevent it being use on non HP laptops).
>
> Even with windows, aren't you supposed to be able to install any mobile
> data stick into the USB port and use it ? Why would it require use of
> Windows and an HP laptop ?
>


Note that you only have to use specified gear to use *this* specific
offer. You can always use another broadband offer and any laptop, not ?