I looked at the Claro site. Should have done it before opening my mouth in the first place. They are providing home internet over their cellular network. They indicate that they are installing 4G in Panama and with a modem at home you will get 5 Mbps (the minimum needed to stream HD video). The check's in the mail. Don't hold your breath waiting for it.
I have home internet service with Claro...the speed is "okay" (non-tech terms from me). As my children also work in the tech field, I was advised when I signed up (no cables in my area etc) about no 4 G and also to look at the speed but their sales people didn't even know the difference, hence difficult to understand their marketing. Kbits/mbits..two bits a dollar ..it works well enough...rarely have to wait and I'm pretty much type A.
It feels like there is some apples-and-oranges discussion going on here.
Juan's question related to speed being advertised by Claro. I am not sure, but I do not think he was asking about 2G, 3G, or now 4G which are generations of the cellular network being discussed by Twin Wolf. Panama has 3G (third generation) cellular in most places that will provide data communications over your WiFi equipment at approximately 2-3 Mbps.
Most ISPs are not using the cellular network for internet connections. Since I do not live there, I have no idea what Claro is using as a backbone for their home delivery service. But, it is highly doubtful that they would use a cellular network for a home computer network.
In my opinion, Juan's mistated question relates to the speed of the internet connection. The Claro advertising for internet speed should actually be in Mbs from between 1 Mbs - 5 Mbs of data rate depending on what you pay. If they are using a cellular network backbone, they could never achieve more than 3 Mbs on a 3G network. If they are advertising a speed greater than that, their service would have to come in over DSL, cable, or a dedicated RF bandwidth that is distinct from the cellular network.
I can already feel the joy that everyone has with this answer.
Replies
I have home internet service with Claro...the speed is "okay" (non-tech terms from me). As my children also work in the tech field, I was advised when I signed up (no cables in my area etc) about no 4 G and also to look at the speed but their sales people didn't even know the difference, hence difficult to understand their marketing. Kbits/mbits..two bits a dollar ..it works well enough...rarely have to wait and I'm pretty much type A.
It feels like there is some apples-and-oranges discussion going on here.
Juan's question related to speed being advertised by Claro. I am not sure, but I do not think he was asking about 2G, 3G, or now 4G which are generations of the cellular network being discussed by Twin Wolf. Panama has 3G (third generation) cellular in most places that will provide data communications over your WiFi equipment at approximately 2-3 Mbps.
Most ISPs are not using the cellular network for internet connections. Since I do not live there, I have no idea what Claro is using as a backbone for their home delivery service. But, it is highly doubtful that they would use a cellular network for a home computer network.
In my opinion, Juan's mistated question relates to the speed of the internet connection. The Claro advertising for internet speed should actually be in Mbs from between 1 Mbs - 5 Mbs of data rate depending on what you pay. If they are using a cellular network backbone, they could never achieve more than 3 Mbs on a 3G network. If they are advertising a speed greater than that, their service would have to come in over DSL, cable, or a dedicated RF bandwidth that is distinct from the cellular network.
I can already feel the joy that everyone has with this answer.