Slashdot Mirror


Building a Local Cellular Phone Carrier?

Netsuj asks: "I'm doing some work for a firm which operates in B.F.E. Many miles before even arriving, I loose signal on my GSM phone. What is the feasibility of creating a limited-area wireless telephone network? As it is outside the area of repeater technology (I believe), is there such thing as a simple cellular-to-wireline system? What are the possibilities of this operating on a break-even basis for employees (i.e. charging minimal roaming fees)? Any ideas? Sadly, something like this appears to be the only option; contacting any of the mobile network operators in the larger area resulted in absolutely no interest in expanding their coverage." Unfortunately, along with the technical problems, there is also paperwork. What kind of permits and other red-tape-hurdles would be necessary to satisfy all of the lawyer-types?

1 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. Get one of these by sql*kitten · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Many miles before even arriving, I loose signal on my GSM phone.

    Thuraya phones use GSM by default but will fail over to satellite mode when no GSM signal is available.