Mesh AP's have backhaul built in to them. 802.11b/g radio for the subs and 802.11a for backhaul. Nobody runs a dsl line to every AP. Maybe if you had a very small network. Check http://www.skypilot.com/ for info on how to properly roll out Wi-fi mesh.
I am doing this same thing for about $1000 equipment cost per location. That is AP and two antennas. The radio is POE, so all you need is a power source. Light poles have power and there are devices that screw into the lightsocket and you plug the ethernet into it and screw the light bulb into it. Some people use solar power too. One guy in a bucket truck can install a mesh ap on a utility pole in about 30 minutes.
I have one internet connection(with backup of course). One Wimax backhaul for every four or five AP's.
I am rolling out a city wide Wi-fi network right now and it isn't pointless at all. As for the range, I have one access point at the top of a 350' tower and a customer that is 5 miles away can connect to it. I have a Wimax based backhaul in place and I can keep adding Wi-fi mesh access points whenever and wherever practicle. And when we start seeing Wimax chipsets hit the streets in mass, I will be ready not superceeded. And don't forget that I will still be able to provide Wi-fi at that time for those not so early adopters. Until then I will generate income from the Wi-fi. Wimax isn't being touted as a replacement for wi-fi. In its early years it will primarily be backhaul for Wi-fi. I attended the Wimax World Conference in Boston last year, this was a huge topic. Constant maintenance, what maintenance? They are very simple access points in outdoor enclosures. The network is self healing and very inexpensive. It is a "The early bird gets the worm" situation. Sure, I could sit by and watch some other provider come in here and get subscribers and then when Wimax roles out get my own Wimax subs. But that is "pointless". How many isp's started with dial up, then offered dsl and now wireless? So, in a nutshell sitting around and not making money just because better technology is years away is "pointless" and just poor business practice. If I expect Google to buy us in three to five years I want as many subs as possible.
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Mesh AP's have backhaul built in to them. 802.11b/g radio for the subs and 802.11a for backhaul. Nobody runs a dsl line to every AP. Maybe if you had a very small network. Check http://www.skypilot.com/ for info on how to properly roll out Wi-fi mesh.
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I am doing this same thing for about $1000 equipment cost per location. That is AP and two antennas. The radio is POE, so all you need is a power source. Light poles have power and there are devices that screw into the lightsocket and you plug the ethernet into it and screw the light bulb into it. Some people use solar power too. One guy in a bucket truck can install a mesh ap on a utility pole in about 30 minutes.
I have one internet connection(with backup of course). One Wimax backhaul for every four or five AP's.
As for the pole access, the relationship with the county will help on this. See this http://www.media-alliance.org/medianews/archives/
As for doing it strictly Wimax right now, have you checked the price comparison between a Wimax cpe vs an 801.11 card?
I am rolling out a city wide Wi-fi network right now and it isn't pointless at all. As for the range, I have one access point at the top of a 350' tower and a customer that is 5 miles away can connect to it. I have a Wimax based backhaul in place and I can keep adding Wi-fi mesh access points whenever and wherever practicle. And when we start seeing Wimax chipsets hit the streets in mass, I will be ready not superceeded. And don't forget that I will still be able to provide Wi-fi at that time for those not so early adopters. Until then I will generate income from the Wi-fi. Wimax isn't being touted as a replacement for wi-fi. In its early years it will primarily be backhaul for Wi-fi. I attended the Wimax World Conference in Boston last year, this was a huge topic. Constant maintenance, what maintenance? They are very simple access points in outdoor enclosures. The network is self healing and very inexpensive. It is a "The early bird gets the worm" situation. Sure, I could sit by and watch some other provider come in here and get subscribers and then when Wimax roles out get my own Wimax subs. But that is "pointless". How many isp's started with dial up, then offered dsl and now wireless? So, in a nutshell sitting around and not making money just because better technology is years away is "pointless" and just poor business practice. If I expect Google to buy us in three to five years I want as many subs as possible.