The World Wide Web Returns To A Home Near...Us!
Friday February 17th 2006
I almost don't believe it as I say this, but it's true: Mar and I have internet access at our London flat! This is a stupendous occasion, and much to our delight, it is free and wireless. And we have Thames Online to thank for it!
The discovery came early this morning, as I rose to go on a morning run. I opened up my computer just to read over some things from the night before, and instantly got a "Would you like to connect to the network 'ThamesOnline.com'?" message from my computer. These sorts of messages aren't unheard of -- occasionally we catch wind of a wireless network from our highly-perched flat overlooking the Thames (we can even pick up a 'DOW' network signal sent from across the river) -- but either the signals are always too weak, or the networks protected.
As it turns out, ThamesOnline.com has rolled out a massive wireless network to serve, I can only assume, the swath of the Thames River that snakes through London. Lots of commuting takes place along the Thames, mostly served by Thames Clippers, so I'm sure their primary target audience are these commuters. But business and homes along the banks are also reaping the benefits!
And I can only guess these intentions, because I can't find any news releases about them at all. Google barely has them indexed, and nothing cached for them. Since we didn't see the network when we went to bed last night, Mar and I are wondering, could we be their first registered users???
Also, while I say *free*, it's not for long. Free lasts until April, and then it's pay-as-you-go (another indication of this being a brand-new service that is practically still in "beta" stages). But once it is fee-based, at £10 a month it's WELL worth it. The signal is a bit weak for us, but it gets the job done. So yes, the time has come, all is right with the world, because we finally have wireless access at home.