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Building an Non-Wired Network for Pueblos?
wsxian asks: "We recently received a large grant to install a wireless high speed Internet system for our entire Pueblo here in the State of NM. This would encompass about 150 homes and the range from a central point would be no more than 6 miles, but there are hills, valleys and trees so line of sight is not an option unless we decide to drop homes. I welcome any suggestions for technology to look at, what to avoid, security concerns- and most important for us what companies to avoid. If any of you have had real life experience with doing such a scaled project like this, please give your input!"
...the first serious effort to install wireless (not counting the expensive and limited cellphone guys) is being done using motorola canopy tech. Last I talked to them they were putting it up two weeks ago so I don't know the status yet. I have no other information on it other than the guys doing it decided after a lot of looking that it would work the best for the long distance and hills and trees around here. They were running 802.11 at a truckstop, but the range was extremely limited, basically the parking lot and a little more. They wanted something better and *now*, not wait for wimax or whatever other blimp in the sky scheme is coming, and 802.11xx just don't cut the mustard without quite a few access points. I have no idea what it costs or the hardware requirements, but that should be easy enough to find out at motorola's site. If it works and I can get broadband from those guys, they get my loot. There's been no offers from anyone else for any broadband around here, not even lowest common denominator xDSL. With that said, two different additional satellite providers are scheduled to start offering services soon, so there will be some competition there as well, but that's later this summer last I checked on that.
It is good to know that you had a full plan enumerating feasability, options considered, and implementation plan prior to receiving this grant. Thank goodness our grant administration is on the ball!
If there is existing cellular coverage in the area, consider using that as an alternative to creating a new infrastructure. It may be possible to exploit the existing network with fewer additions than starting from scratch will require.
These guys created a free wireless network in Austin in less than 6 months, and they recycle old PCs in many of their installations. Definitely worth checking out!
http://www.lessnetworks.com/
Someone stole my old sig.
Agree.
I set up a similar project here in Nova Scotia to get internet to a group of people that were too far away to get ground lines. I used a string of directional antennas about 1km apart up the slope of the hill, then to a central station that radiated the internet signal to the houses.
The big problem is speed and bandwidth... but, aslong as your clients are not all slashdot addicts who spend loads of time online, you should be fine. Make sure the company you go with knows their graph theory when it comes to designing the access points. this problem is a graph colouring/shortest path problem.
that would be a cool project...
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I'm currently looking at doing just what the poster is, however in my case my coverage will be just a few locations within a few blocks of each other.
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the newer 802.16 WiMax stuff that's just starting to roll around.
The specs sound great.
Several Mile Range
Hi Speed
and Non-LOS, apparently the hardware can handle multi-pathing issues.
But I'm wondering if it actually works.