As for the Mesh itself, if it doesn't use AES encrypted links, it can't really be called professional. As for the users, lots of registered users in muni mesh networks use AES. If you are referring to the general public, then no. They use layer 3 VPN's instead since as you alluded since the average public can't figure out how to configure EAP's and 802.1x on their laptops even though it comes free with the windows XP SP2. No upgrades required.
The business models of Google and Earthlink were quite naive and were doomed to failure from the start. Thankfully there are many other good working networks out there that gain revenue from voice or video or in some cases provide taxpayer funded free networks that are managed in conjunction with a university or some such entity. Again, you can have a poor business model with any technology. But you can in turn have a good business model too.
You say there are few vendors who do it right and that is correct. But the ones who do it right are doing it right all over the world. Quite happily I might add.
Although we'll agree that politicians are in the bag of telcos, there are real and factual difficulties with muni-WiFi
1) bad cellular support grid (3 non-interfering channels, making coverage very difficult)
Mostly wrong. Coverage works well if you use the technology wisely.
2) competition with other wireless, paid services (UMTS, EVDO, etc)
So? Competition is a good thing.
3) competition from commercial 'hotspot' providers (hotels, paid-hotspots, etc.)
See above
4) poor business models that caved Google, Earthlink, and others
Poor business models exist in all technologies. You don't blame the technology for misuse.
5) the silliness of using a LAN technology (look at the specs as mentioned up-thread) for a MAN/WAN purpose, as the CSMA/CA technology plainly sucks for services that require mulitple concurrent low-latency streams from a single AP)
This is the most nonsense. People are assuming the WiFi of the 90's is what is being deployed in city networks today. You are caught in the past and need to do some research on how WiFi is being applied today.
6) non-existent subnet handoff (all solutions are proprietary, so far), and lack of VLAN wizardry
Completely false.
7) super-dumb security-- as in NONE as there are no encryption schemes, poor to no authentication (too expensive) and no session controls
Not just completely false, but head buried in the sand false! WiFi is even more secure than 99% of wired networks and the encryption (AES) is FREE!
Spec, smeck. The fact is that WiFi has improvised itself and works excellently well in outdoor, even rural networks. Did you know that there are many *standard* WiFi links reaching 40 kilometers? Did you know that the backhaul of these mesh network are indeed standard 802.11? Did you know that there are WiFi nodes now that handle over 700 user associations?
Maybe you only know the WiFi of the 90's. It's a lot different now. Do some research.
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As for the Mesh itself, if it doesn't use AES encrypted links, it can't really be called professional. As for the users, lots of registered users in muni mesh networks use AES. If you are referring to the general public, then no. They use layer 3 VPN's instead since as you alluded since the average public can't figure out how to configure EAP's and 802.1x on their laptops even though it comes free with the windows XP SP2. No upgrades required.
The business models of Google and Earthlink were quite naive and were doomed to failure from the start. Thankfully there are many other good working networks out there that gain revenue from voice or video or in some cases provide taxpayer funded free networks that are managed in conjunction with a university or some such entity. Again, you can have a poor business model with any technology. But you can in turn have a good business model too.
You say there are few vendors who do it right and that is correct. But the ones who do it right are doing it right all over the world. Quite happily I might add.
Actually, yes I do work in the field for a living and deploy many WiFi mesh muni networks all over the world.
Let's start with your most ridiculous assertion that WiFi isn't secure. Have you heard of WPA2? Or 802.11i?
What a load of nonsense!!
Although we'll agree that politicians are in the bag of telcos, there are real and factual difficulties with muni-WiFi
1) bad cellular support grid (3 non-interfering channels, making coverage very difficult)
Mostly wrong. Coverage works well if you use the technology wisely.
2) competition with other wireless, paid services (UMTS, EVDO, etc)
So? Competition is a good thing.
3) competition from commercial 'hotspot' providers (hotels, paid-hotspots, etc.)
See above
4) poor business models that caved Google, Earthlink, and others
Poor business models exist in all technologies. You don't blame the technology for misuse.
5) the silliness of using a LAN technology (look at the specs as mentioned up-thread) for a MAN/WAN purpose, as the CSMA/CA technology plainly sucks for services that require mulitple concurrent low-latency streams from a single AP)
This is the most nonsense. People are assuming the WiFi of the 90's is what is being deployed in city networks today. You are caught in the past and need to do some research on how WiFi is being applied today.
6) non-existent subnet handoff (all solutions are proprietary, so far), and lack of VLAN wizardry
Completely false.
7) super-dumb security-- as in NONE as there are no encryption schemes, poor to no authentication (too expensive) and no session controls
Not just completely false, but head buried in the sand false! WiFi is even more secure than 99% of wired networks and the encryption (AES) is FREE!
Spec, smeck. The fact is that WiFi has improvised itself and works excellently well in outdoor, even rural networks. Did you know that there are many *standard* WiFi links reaching 40 kilometers? Did you know that the backhaul of these mesh network are indeed standard 802.11? Did you know that there are WiFi nodes now that handle over 700 user associations?
Maybe you only know the WiFi of the 90's. It's a lot different now. Do some research.