AirFiber Laser Networks: 622mbps

shinar writes: "In the LA Times, AirFiber announced the July/August avaliability of a new last-mile replacement for fiber: a wireless laser system delivering up to 622 mbps. It's a short-range system, mainly viewed as a delivery system within cities. It's being tested in Dallas, Tokyo, and Madrid, and projected for first commercial release in July or August. Not huge or revolutionary-a few other companies are working on the same sort of thing-but it might be a blessing for people in high-population density areas. "

Comments

Network interference

[Kaa]

I see major problems with carrier-pigeon network interfering with the laser one.

Initially, as the flights of pigeons would be blocking the laser's line-of-sight, the laser network will suffer: "I am sorry, sir, the packets can't get through -- there are pigeons in the way!".

Eventually I would expect the laser network to deal with this problem technologically, that is, upgrade their lasers to military power. At this point, the carrier-pigeon network will begin to suffer casualties, and notices like "Caution! Dead pigeons falling out of the sky!" will have to be posted around the laser network sites.

Later we may expect carrier pigeons to be fitted with mirror-shielded armor and the network lasers to be outfitted with tracking devices, but that's going to take some time...

"Packets? What packets? There is a pigeon shoot going on!"

Kaa