There are, gnarly, but they're not as stable as the RF gear. Many companies are offering laser-based solutions with capacities to handle up to 622Mbps but only for distance to 200-300 meters. They're also prone to weather interference (fog, snow, rain, etc.). They're great for campus environments, but not for long-range links.
Don't know much about the IR stuff.
I do know, however, that Western Multiplex has a 1Gbps RF solution (it may be released by now) that provides a point-to-point connection for up to 50 miles or so.
Hi, Dave. Good to "see" you!:-) I recognize your name from the ISP-Wireless mailing list.
To wkearney99, many of these "public access wireless networks" are using DSSS-based gear, which more susceptible to frequency interference than FHSS-based gear. While many WISP's are also using DSSS gear (those in rural areas usually have great success with it), many WISP's in densely populated areas have resorted to FHSS equipment such as that from BreezeCOM.
It obviously requires good RF engineering to deploy a wireless network. Since the WISP's are doing this for a living, it behooves them to ensure their networks will work properly and "play nice" with others.
One option might be to consider MobileStar. They're rolling out public access points all over the U.S., using Proxim Harmony gear (an 802.11b or OpenAir FHSS PCMCIA card).
I think the cost is about $30 to $80 per month, depending on how many minutes one wants to sign up for. This is for speeds up to 1.5Mbps.
It could be because the San Francisco area is already overloaded with gear using the 2.4GHz spectrum (which is what B2W's infrastructure will be based on). There probably already are fixed wireless providers in the area which can do the same thing.
While Broadband2Wireless' website doesn't provide any information about its services, I thought you all might find the following article interesting. It provides an excellent overview of B2W's service offerings and background info:
Very cool, Scot! I'm always glad to hear of successful WISP's. Looks like your friend has a good operation there.
I'm also starting a fixed wireless service that'll allow subscribers to download files and be connected to the 'Net via roaming sequences, provided they don't go outside the coverage area.
This technology is still in its infancy, but I think it'll be an excellent alternative to DSL and cable modem access in due time.
There are several other Wireless ISPs down in Florida, although I can't think of them currently... You might want to do a search for Orlando at http://www.isp-wireless.com. That's the archive site for the ISP-Wireless mailing list. It's pretty active with anywhere from 200-300 messages a day.
Actually, there are many an ISP here that have been offering fixed wireless for a few years. One I can think of is in Maine (http://www.midcoast.net). Breezecom has been selling fixed wireless systems since '95 with much success.
I can relate with you, Matt. I'm in Richmond, Virginia and commute to NoVA several times a month.
The cool thing about this concept is that it DOES save time by allowing people to telecommute remotely if they're stuck in traffic. Let's say a salesperson has some time to kill before a meeting but they need to download a large file from their office. They're out and about and don't want to head back to the office to grab that file. They can easily do this with a fixed wireless connection over a VPN.
Actually, it's very possible to start a fixed wireless service provider business economically and without much hassle. Granted, some RF engineering must be performed to assure good placement of access points, along with other issues. But it's entirely possible.
Another fixed wireless provider in Florida has been doing this for a couple of years by using a Hummer as their mobile repeater.
This isn't anything new.
Yeah, that's a good suggestion, drwho. You might want to contact the site owner and suggest it to them, if you feel like it and haven't already.
There's a big difference between FHSS and DSSS gear. It would suck to find out that an AP exists in an area only to dig deeper and find out that it's not capable of servicing a customer because of its use of DSSS or that it's too far away.
Hi, ThohT. I've visited your site several times and am impressed with its content and your service offerings. A question I have for you is, how can you financially support your network? Please understand that I'm not wanting to sound like a smartass; I'm simply trying to understand how it'll stay operational without funds.
I'm sincerely impressed with the various community wireless networks that are around (yours, http://www.pdxwireless.org, http://www.sbay.org, http://www.sflan.com, http://www.seattlewireless.org, etc.) and would love to gain a better understanding about their operations. I'm also in the process of starting a fixed wireless service and would really like to gain a community feeling (almost a "cult" feel to it) around it, if I can.
But, I also want to make enough to support the network and not lose my shirt in the process.
Any advice you might offer would be most appreciated.
That Suck article discusses WAP which is for PDA's and mobile phones. Completely different technology, entirely.
This topic represents fixed wireless access which is very useful for people who live too far away from a CO and can't get DSL service or they live in the middle of nowhere where neither DSL nor cable modems exists.
Not off topic at all since it's dealing with AP's.
Depends on the AP itself, but it also depends on LOS (line of sight), terrain, etc.
Some equipment can work up to a 15 mile radius around the AP while others only work up to one or two miles.
There is still other equipment that can allow a P2P solution up to 60 to 70 miles.
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What kind of cards for the iPaq's, Scott? It really depends on the manufacturer.
Don't know much about the IR stuff.
I do know, however, that Western Multiplex has a 1Gbps RF solution (it may be released by now) that provides a point-to-point connection for up to 50 miles or so.
To wkearney99, many of these "public access wireless networks" are using DSSS-based gear, which more susceptible to frequency interference than FHSS-based gear. While many WISP's are also using DSSS gear (those in rural areas usually have great success with it), many WISP's in densely populated areas have resorted to FHSS equipment such as that from BreezeCOM.
It obviously requires good RF engineering to deploy a wireless network. Since the WISP's are doing this for a living, it behooves them to ensure their networks will work properly and "play nice" with others.
Hi, wizman. You might want to check out eHarbor. They're setting up wireless access for boaters when they're in port.
Also, the ISP-Wireless mailing list archives offers a search engine which allows people to search for wireless access in their area.
All in due time. :)
Wouldn't be too hard. Perhaps you could talk them into setting up a point-to-point wireless bridge between the campus and your apartment. ;)
:-)
One option might be to consider MobileStar. They're rolling out public access points all over the U.S., using Proxim Harmony gear (an 802.11b or OpenAir FHSS PCMCIA card).
I think the cost is about $30 to $80 per month, depending on how many minutes one wants to sign up for. This is for speeds up to 1.5Mbps.
http://www.sprintbroadbanddirect.com
(Or at least, they're trying to!)
Just my two cents. :-)
Check out http://www.seattlewireless.net. They've been doing a community wireless service for a few years now with great success.
http://digitalmass.boston.com/news/globe_tech/at_l arge/030501.html
I'm also starting a fixed wireless service that'll allow subscribers to download files and be connected to the 'Net via roaming sequences, provided they don't go outside the coverage area.
This technology is still in its infancy, but I think it'll be an excellent alternative to DSL and cable modem access in due time.
Yep, them too. I apologize for not including them. Thx much for adding, barnaclebarnes! :-)
There are several other Wireless ISPs down in Florida, although I can't think of them currently... You might want to do a search for Orlando at http://www.isp-wireless.com. That's the archive site for the ISP-Wireless mailing list. It's pretty active with anywhere from 200-300 messages a day.
HTH! :-)
Oops..sorry. :-)
"nova" is Northern Virginia.
http://www.pdxwireless.org/
http://www.sbay.org/
http://www.sflan.com/
http://www.seattlewireless.net/
Actually, there are many an ISP here that have been offering fixed wireless for a few years. One I can think of is in Maine (http://www.midcoast.net). Breezecom has been selling fixed wireless systems since '95 with much success.
I can relate with you, Matt. I'm in Richmond, Virginia and commute to NoVA several times a month. The cool thing about this concept is that it DOES save time by allowing people to telecommute remotely if they're stuck in traffic. Let's say a salesperson has some time to kill before a meeting but they need to download a large file from their office. They're out and about and don't want to head back to the office to grab that file. They can easily do this with a fixed wireless connection over a VPN.
Actually, it's very possible to start a fixed wireless service provider business economically and without much hassle. Granted, some RF engineering must be performed to assure good placement of access points, along with other issues. But it's entirely possible. Another fixed wireless provider in Florida has been doing this for a couple of years by using a Hummer as their mobile repeater. This isn't anything new.
Yeah, that's a good suggestion, drwho. You might want to contact the site owner and suggest it to them, if you feel like it and haven't already. There's a big difference between FHSS and DSSS gear. It would suck to find out that an AP exists in an area only to dig deeper and find out that it's not capable of servicing a customer because of its use of DSSS or that it's too far away.
I'm sincerely impressed with the various community wireless networks that are around (yours, http://www.pdxwireless.org, http://www.sbay.org, http://www.sflan.com, http://www.seattlewireless.org, etc.) and would love to gain a better understanding about their operations. I'm also in the process of starting a fixed wireless service and would really like to gain a community feeling (almost a "cult" feel to it) around it, if I can.
But, I also want to make enough to support the network and not lose my shirt in the process.
Any advice you might offer would be most appreciated.
Thx much!
That Suck article discusses WAP which is for PDA's and mobile phones. Completely different technology, entirely. This topic represents fixed wireless access which is very useful for people who live too far away from a CO and can't get DSL service or they live in the middle of nowhere where neither DSL nor cable modems exists.
Not off topic at all since it's dealing with AP's. Depends on the AP itself, but it also depends on LOS (line of sight), terrain, etc. Some equipment can work up to a 15 mile radius around the AP while others only work up to one or two miles. There is still other equipment that can allow a P2P solution up to 60 to 70 miles.