> I think once a solution is released that does not need "line of site" and
is
> easy as plug and play (not Microsoft's definition of "plug and play") we
> would really be able to sell fixed wireless solutions.
Personally I doubt you'll find a near-term high-bandwidth solution with
a range measured in miles that doesnt require LOS. Plug-n-play, OTOH, is
simply a matter of writing some software and pretty documentation. Setting
up a wireless connection, if done correctly, should be no harder than
installing DirecTV (some people wont be able to do it, but those people are
usually the ones that dont mind paying someone to come do it for them).
By the same token, if you've tried to set up DirecTV when you dont have
LOS, you arent going to get very far. True, DTV signals are a great deal
weaker and more susceptible to LOS problems than the stuff we're talking
about, but the concept is the same. If I remember correctly, the wavelength
of a 2.4ghz signal is around 1.25cm (whereas DTV's 12.5ghz.signal would have
a wavelength of about 24mm). This in itself means that pretty much anything
can serve as an obstruction. From my own experience I know that trees
(leaves really) are a huge obstacle to this kind of microwave. Home/office
microwave systems can function because the range is very short. Generally
only around 500ft. After that, obstructions (especially walls) will ruin a
high-bandwidth signal completely. I think that the reciever technology in
this area will improve as time goes on, but leaves and walls are still going
to greatly impede that frequency band no matter what. Using a
higher-wavelength band would be prohibitively expensive due to licensing
restrictions and the amount of bandwidth you'd need.
So, for this problem Id say that Line-Of-Sight is something youre going
to have to deal with one way or another. I dont think theres a way to get a
megabit+ signal to a home that is both more than half a mile or so away from
your Access Point and that has obstructed LOS. As reciever logic improves,
this may change, but I wouldnt hold my breath.
- Matt
