Slashdot Mirror

Oops; not sure what happened to that second link. It is http://www.part-15.org/maps/WISPSearch.asp.

A few people have commented here that their location is yellow on the map but they do not know how to find the WISP that's covering the area. The compiler of the map has intentionally not mapped out WISPs' coverage areas one by one, to prevent the cable and telephone companies from using the data to engage in targeted anticompetitive practices (e.g. lower charges where the WISPs serve but not elsewhere). However, there are two WISP directories that might help you find who serves your area (and there may be several). Try http://www.wispdirectory.com and .

Working for a WISP has been interesting (to say the least). We have to deal with direct competition from local cable/dsl providers, idiot customers who think it is "just like radio" (meaning AM/FM), and federal ISP regulations. But, there is a good community of WISPs who can definitely help to support each other. Part-15 is a great resource and so is WISPA.

Most of our customers are rural, we use 2.4GHz, 900MHz, and some of the 5GHz spectrum to provide service. Our rates are 1Mbps for $27.50/month, 2.5Mbps for $37.50/month, and 4Mbps for $45.95/month. We are cheaper than all of our competition (cable and dsl) and, have a much wider coverage area. One thing that a lot of our customers appreciate is that since we've never recieved money to help develople our network, thereare no taxes or extranious fees attached to the bill. We know when the cable company raises rate, we get an influx of people signing up for service.

I actually know the guy who makes up the Western part of the Nebraska map. The company that I work for makes up most of the central spot.

This seemed useful...

While I appreciate that you're looking at the bigger picture, bear in mind that this is an accessibility issue, not a "choice of browser" issue.

I've been following the part-15.org mailing list, and one of the issues is that donated computers (to be used as kiosks) was originally thought to REQUIRE windows - thereby leading to the licensing issues.

The great part is that there's a reported workaround for it. All that you need is a browser extension that identifies itself as IE6 (Firefox User Agent Switching extension, or Opera, which identifies itself as IE6 by default).
* This was not tested by myself, the site was overloaded yesterday

Part-15.org is on it:

http://www.part-15.org/emergencyrelief/katrina.htm l

900 is unlicensed in the US for certain uses, which do not include GSM. Unlicensed only means that the end-user doesn't need to get an FCC license (and learn morse-code!), but the equipment and use still has to comply with FCC rules. Check here.

To find out more about wireless Internet:

• The WISP forum on Broadband Reports (an excellent resource for all kinds of fast Internet)
• The WISP users forum on BBR
• Directory of WISPs at Part-15.org
• Another nationwide directory of WISPs
• Alvarion's broadband wireless access site - some good information in their product descriptions and white papers

To find out more about wireless Internet:

• The WISP forum on Broadband Reports (an excellent resource for all kinds of fast Internet)
• The WISP users forum on BBR
• Directory of WISPs at Part-15.org
• Another nationwide directory of WISPs
• Alvarion's broadband wireless access site - some good information in their product descriptions and white papers

Re, "I was wondering how you keep people from hooking into the wireless system without paying for a subscription?"

- We use proprietary Alvarion equipment which only talks to its own brand. The CPEs (customer premise units or subscriber units, SUs) are expensive and not readily available to consumers. As ObviousGuy speculated, the Alvarion system does have a receiver radio at the customer's house, which is authenticated by the AP, the central radio (in our setup). This does prevent roaming in the usual sense of the word. The technology is sometimes called fixed wireless for that reason. You can get a mobile unit, but for it to work the area has to be pretty saturated with coverage, more than is necessary to provide connectivity to most residences and businesses.

"Is there some device-specific authentication (based on MAC address or something)?"

- This is also possible.

"If so, does that mean that each computer in a customer's house needs to be subscribed separately?"

No, because the mac address of the router would work. Our subscribers (Wiacomm, Inc.--see post above) live for the most part in widely spaced exurban houses on 1 to 5 acre lots. It's possible that someone might piggyback on a subscriber's wireless router, but we do encourage them to change the password and use normal security precautions.

"How many wireless ISP schemes are there?"

- As many as you'd like to count! Read the mailing list archives at isp-wireless.com or Part 15 for more information on all aspects of the WISP industry.

"How do they let customers in and non-customers out?"

This is the big question. It's one reason we went with proprietary equipment instead of 802.11b.

Recommend WISP list at part-15.org for very informative discussions of exactly what the various unlicensed, but regulated, services can and can't do. Here HTH