Re: [WISPA] ARPU
Well, any metric can be sheep's wool, Tom. EBITA comes to mind immediately. It isn't even an accounting standard. But Wall St. likes it, even though no 2 companies calculate it the same way. (It isn't a standard so they don't have to). As long as they consistent calculate it the same way year after year. ARPU on the same network can be a good indicator. If I have a MOTO network and my ARPU is $99 and your MOTO network has $399. Unless you have lots of overhead and pay high leases, you should be more profitable. In the case of CLECs: when I see one that is focused, with a true target market, selling a limited catalogue of services, with an ARPU upwards of $600, I see a model CLEC. Considering most other CLECs have about 25k customers after 10 years and a couple of acquisitions and have much lower ARPU, there are lessons to be learned from the higher ARPU company. Take DSL. Most ISPs have the same costs associated with it. Maybe one pays more for IP or labor, but the telecom costs are the same (ATM DSL loops). So when I see one ISP with DSL ARPU at $100+ and another at $50-60, who do you think is probably doing better? Plus the less profitable customers you have, the better off you are. It's not like you can make it up in volume, since growth and scale actually eat at profit. Profit in telecom is hardly ever talked about. It would scare away any investors :) - Peter Tom DeReggi wrote: Or they measure in ARPU to mask profitabilty. A higher ARPU subs is not always more profitable. Average ARPU also does not show retention rate. Having an average ARPU of $700 buck does not do any good if they are only a customer for 6 months, if they end up being disatisfied after the fact. Nor is a higher ARPU that much better if the world has to be given away to get the $700 ARPU. Getting an ARPU of $700 for a T1 speed line is pretty darn impressive. But not neessarilly so, if 20mbps links need to be given away to get it, meaning less growth possibilty. And a reoccurring cost following the ARPU longer. (Not that I'm saying high ARPU is not good.) I think their are more important factors like, Time till ROI? Profit during that time, and anticipated profit per year after that time (ROI). Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband - Original Message - From: Peter R. [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 6:12 PM Subject: Re: [WISPA] This is HUGE! Because number of subs is the measuring stick. Revenue is more important; but profit is the most important. Not many can speak to profit, so they measure in subs. - Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Vonage
Never. The model doesn't work at their pricing model. They will never be profitable. The $279 acquisition costs don't include hardware, advertising, referral fees, coop fees to retail partners. Their churn is double digits. They don't indicate how many purchase hardware and never activate. Their acquisition cost would still be more than a year's worth of revenue. However, that doesn't include payroll and ILEC CLEC expenses which probably eat up 75% of their MRC. - Peter Tom DeReggi wrote: Yes but Vonage is also a poor example of your arguement as 75% of their expendatures is in advertising. That means 75% of their expendatures could be stopped on demand immediately, without reducing revenue. How quickly could Vonage become profitable, when they reach the approrpiate scale, and they stop marketing? I haven't done the math, but it paints a different picture of potential profitabilty. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Walla Walla
Actually, according to the Census data, Walla Walla has 2,252 businesses. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/53/5375775.html Even 5% of that would be a great business. - Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Building a Nationwide WISP Collective
May 24, 2006 Why have one big wireless ISP when you can have hundreds of small ones? That's the question NuTel Broadband Corporation http://nutelbroadband.com/ of Cranbury, New Jersey seems to be answering. The company wants to create partnerships with existing ISPs — or just entrepreneurial individuals or businesses — who think their town or suburb deserves better broadband. We're talking to small to medium communities, looking at each of them as individual operating entities — each gets its own company, says Joe Fiero, CEO of NuTel. We're the managing partner; they're the operating partner. That partnership breaks down into NuTel handling everything on the back end, from billing to support, while the operating partner pays for and installs the equipment (mesh products from SkyPilot Networks http://www.skypilot.com/) to NuTel's specifications. The local operator owns the relationship with the customer and gets paid by NuTel for running things out of what customers get billed. -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] This is HUGE!
Because number of subs is the measuring stick. Revenue is more important; but profit is the most important. Not many can speak to profit, so they measure in subs. - Peter Matt Liotta wrote: Not sure why the number of customers is even important when the quality of customers can vary so wildly. I run into WISPs regularly whose ARPU is barely above $100. At 1000 customers an ARPU of $100 is only $1.2M per year. That's a lot of radios and a lot of customers for very little revenue. Compare this to CBeyond, which is an Atlanta-based CLEC that in recent time went public. Today they have about 17,000 customers, but their ARPU is $761. With just 1000 customers, an ARPU of $761 would be worth $9.1M. Or to look at it a different way, with 17,000 customers an ARPU of $100 would only be $20.4M compared with the $155.2M they pull in now. A WISP would be wise to raise their ARPU as opposed to the number of customers. -Matt -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Coming soon: The Web toll - Last post on this subject
Frank, In the same day as your post on WISPA, you are asking if anyone is filing comments to the BST-ATT merger on other lists. Surely, your supporters will at least take 5 minutes to write a comment. No? Why not? Because it is easier to say I support something verbally than to actually do something. It is free to join WISPA, yet only 71 have listed their names / signed up. II4A hired 2 lobbyists to write 7 template letters each, so that the 14 templates would sound and look different. Just download, sign and fax to your Congress Critter. How many people downloaded them? Less than 15. At ISP-CEO, you could not concisely explain what the lawsuit purpose or goal was. (Maybe you announced too early). Then when pushed you said: Physical Separation. As PA has been the only state to ever consider such a notion, perhaps viewing the outcome in that state would be appropriate. (Remember that PA let VZ have final approval of all muni BB projects, by law). Bruce Kushnick at TeleTruth has reams of documents. Piles of data. Probably a smoking gun. Yet you poo-poo his attempts. I was one of the early birds to see that Brand-X was a Pandora's Box. There was no victory possible. Recall last April, many legal and industry experts were betting that we would win Brand-X. Part of me worries that the lawsuit will render all ISPs obsolete. Especially without a roadmap. And part of planning is to learn from others mistakes, not state: Past experiences of others, especially those of impotent state PUC's do not interest me, times are different and so are the issues. Cynthia has been pounding the halls of the Hill doing a great job. However, during this past year, this industry has been on the receiving end of some serious setbacks. Advocate. Lobbyist. The game is called Politics. It is played at a truly high level in DC with billions of dollars up for grabs. It's like playing Texas Hold-em with a handful of chips. A little Anti-Trust history. The US vs. GE anti-trust case was dismissed after 9 years. Assistant Attorney General in charge of the department's antitrust division, said the case had been dismissed because the passage of time had reduced the significance of the case and any court order the Government might win. Microsoft had over 130 private anti-trust suits filed against it. Did anyone win one? The US vs. MS lasted 5 years. Covad filed against VZ, but that was just a bargaining move. Covad is still suing BST, filed in 2002. NorthPoint tried to sue VZ for $4B in anti-trust, but settled for a 5% ownership. Sun has been suing Microsoft. SCO is suing IBM. Do you see the pattern here? Lots of big cases that take lots of time, energy, effort and money. And the only winners are the lawyers. I say expend the energy building a business based on Layer 1 or Layer 7. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. For history's sake: Former Member of FISPA on Vendor Committee and Legislative Committeee (even chaired the LC) One of the Founders of the Independent ISPs for America (www.ii4a.org) and currently part-time director. Search the FCC comment site: 17 filed comments -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Coming soon: The Web toll
You better start collecting big $$ and handing checks to Senators or you will never get it off the ground. Don't you remember Penn. PSC over the VZ LD? One week they decide to break it up. ATT says it will cost $250M; VZ says $1B PSC Commissioners afraid that their car would explode. 6 weeks later they give VZ LD Relief instead. Frank Muto wrote: I do get it, but at a different view point. I'll agree that the USF should still be available, but let's widen the tax base and lower the percentage. This also is a good time to look again at structural separation of the Bell's from the CO and form a regulated utility. It is time that the FCC and Congress forget it is not their job to worry about a company's PL, i.e., Bell's. Welcome the Bell's to our world and see if they can survive without the CO plants. Then you will have equal and reasonable competition for all. Even if the TA 96 was codified, though it was not, in the assumption that CLEC's were to become facility based, it could have included a sunset of such and also a move to structural separation. Now granted the latter would have caused as much grief as the TA 96 Act itself in having une-p and the Bell's bitching about parasitic users, but it could make some other (current) issues such as Homeland Security, USF and Network Neutrality far less the debates they are now. Structural Separation was basically in place with the divesture of ATT in 1984 and also with the TA 96, that it was essential to create operating systems to split the local and LD. The next step would be to separate the CO plant away from the Bell's. Frank Muto Co-founder - Washington Bureau for ISP Advocacy - WBIA Telecom Summit Ad Hoc Committee http://gigabytemarch.blog.com/ www.wbia.us -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Coming soon: The Web toll
Dreaming... hope you have a Plan B, Ethan Hunt. Frank Muto wrote: I do get it, but at a different view point. I'll agree that the USF should still be available, but let's widen the tax base and lower the percentage. This also is a good time to look again at structural separation of the Bell's from the CO and form a regulated utility. It is time that the FCC and Congress forget it is not their job to worry about a company's PL, i.e., Bell's. Welcome the Bell's to our world and see if they can survive without the CO plants. Then you will have equal and reasonable competition for all. Even if the TA 96 was codified, though it was not, in the assumption that CLEC's were to become facility based, it could have included a sunset of such and also a move to structural separation. Now granted the latter would have caused as much grief as the TA 96 Act itself in having une-p and the Bell's bitching about parasitic users, but it could make some other (current) issues such as Homeland Security, USF and Network Neutrality far less the debates they are now. Structural Separation was basically in place with the divesture of ATT in 1984 and also with the TA 96, that it was essential to create operating systems to split the local and LD. The next step would be to separate the CO plant away from the Bell's. Frank Muto Co-founder - Washington Bureau for ISP Advocacy - WBIA Telecom Summit Ad Hoc Committee http://gigabytemarch.blog.com/ www.wbia.us -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Federal Excise tax
You can only collect 3 years worth according to law. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Coming soon: The Web toll
After all this time, you still don't get it USF, taxes, and national interest are built into the PSTN. The FCC E-911 ruling was just one hurdle to prevent VoIP from deflowering the PSTN. As it is, at every turn, the BOCs are losing lines. Cable has taken almost 10M VoIP lines already. Universities are moving to VOIP in droves. U of South Florida in Tampa has 42000 Avaya handsets. U of Central Florida in Orlando has 24000 handsets that Telcove just won from BellSouth. The VPF is on track for 10B minutes. (Might explain Primus' woes). Hurricane damage hurt Sprint, SBC and BST these last 3 years - to the tune of 100's of millions. Profits are dropping quarter over quarter. They are in a price war with cable while racking up debt. Things will be done to preserve the USF fund and the tax base. As Ken said at ISPCON: Who wants to be in office when the PSTN goes down? - Peter Frank Muto wrote: Well one would think so. If the Bell's feel they need to be compensated, then pay the thousand of ISP's and Clec's they put out of business by use of their political contributions. Their day is coming to pay the piper one way or another. Frank Muto Co-founder - Washington Bureau for ISP Advocacy - WBIA Telecom Summit Ad Hoc Committee http://gigabytemarch.blog.com/ www.wbia.us http://www.wbia.us -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] What do you think?
I think if you haven't already contacted your Congress critter about this, you should do it first thing in the morning. Jeff Broadwick wrote: Sorry for the cross post... http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/05/25/the.web.toll/index.html Coming soon: The Web toll New laws may transform cyberspace and the way you surf it By Tim Folger Popular Science -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] M2Z - nationwide project
A high-powered group of local tech execs and former government officials has started a company to build a $400 million national wireless broadband network. The company, M2Z Networks, plans to sell high-speed bandwidth to Internet service providers while making slower access available to the general public at no cost. M2Z, which has offices in Arlington and Menlo Park, Calif., has asked the Federal Communications Commission to grant the company a license for a portion of the public airwaves without auctioning the space off to the highest bidder, which is the usual procedure. The wireless company also would provide free access to public safety agencies at rates six times as fast as dial-up connections, pay 5 percent of its revenue to the U.S. treasury and block illegal online content. The network is expected to cover one-third of the country's population in three years, two-thirds in five years and 95 percent in 10 years, M2Z says. But there is no way to know how long it will take for the FCC to act on the company's request. http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2006/05/22/story5.html -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Wireless Spectrum Fraud
Teletruth News Alert: May 11, 2006 Contact: Bruce Kushnick, [EMAIL PROTECTED] To read the full complaint: http://www.teletruth.org/docs/wirelesscomplaintfin.pdf Wireless Spectrum Fraud by ATT, Cingular (SBC BellSouth), Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint? Are these "Very Small Businesses"? Teletruth Estimates Over $8 Billion Was Pocketed through Deceptive Practices in Wireless Spectrum Auctions. FCC, SEC and Other Violations Need Investigation. Upcoming (June 2006) Wireless Broadband Auctions in Jeopardy: Small Businesses Screwed.Teletruth today filed an $8 billion complaint alleging that Verizon, ATT, Cingular (SBC, ATT and BellSouth), T-Mobile, Sprint and others rigged the FCC wireless auctions by creating false fronts to pose as "very small businesses". This allowed these companies to secure valuable wireless spectrum at discounted prices. This Complaint was filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and various committees in Congress. Deceptive Practices: Is it legal for Americas "Very Large Businesses" to pose as Very Small Businesses" to win wireless licenses to be used by the very large business? Data from phone company annual reports: Salmon PCS LLC ---In November 2000, Cingular formed Salmon to bid as a "very small business" for certain 1900 MHz band PCS licenses auctioned by the FCC. In November 2004, Cingular and Edge Mobile Wireless formed Edge Mobile, (Edge) to bid as an "entrepreneur" for certain 1900 MHz band PCS licenses auctioned by the FCC. ATT Wirelesss financial statements include other "variable interest entities" (read very small business), similar to Salmon and Edge Mobile Wireless. Verizon Wireless: On February 15, 2005, the FCCs auction of broadband personal communications services licenses ended and Verizon Wireless and Vista PCS were the highest bidders for 63 licenses totaling approximately $697 million. --- Vista works for Verizon. Is it legal to keep the estimated $8 billion that was saved by posing as a "very small business"? Doesnt this harm competition? Doesnt this defraud the government out of billions of dollars? Why havent the FCC and DOJ stepped in to get the money back? Designated Entities or "Deceptive Entities"? The FCC even has a name for these companies: "Designated Entities". Commissioner Adelstein on April 25, 2006 wrote: "We missed a real opportunity to shut down what almost everyone recognizes has the potential for the largest abuse of our Designated Entity program: giant wireless companies using false fronts to get spectrum on the cheap." The story is simple. The FCC auctions off something called "Spectrum", which is used for wireless services, broadband services, television, radio, etc. Also known as the "airwaves", the American people own these airwaves and give licenses for the use of these airwaves. An example: on June 29th, 2006, the FCC is about to have its 66th auction of spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services (AWS). "Today, the (FCC) adopted a Public Notice that establishes procedures, minimum opening bids, and a reserve price for the FCCs upcoming first auction of spectrum licenses for Advanced Wireless Services (AWS-1). This auction, Auction No. 66, is scheduled to begin June 29, 2006, and will include 1,122 AWS-1 licenses in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz bands." This current spectrum auction is supposed to yield between $9-$15 billion. The FCC, in creating this auction, is supposedly "promoting the rapid deployment of broadband, voice, and data services to the public by new AWS licensees". And yet, the FCCs most recent decision, April 25th, 2006, did not address or fix the fact that these very large companies were able to rig the "small business" wireless auctions. FCC Commissioner Copps wrote: "News reports indicate that, in prior auctions, entities with deep pockets helped themselves to discounts they were never meant to enjoy. This unacceptable behavior threatens the integrity of our auctions and, worse, it cheats consumers. It costs taxpayers millions of dollars in foregone revenue. It also means that spectrum goes to those most willing and able to manipulate the rules of the game, rather than to the entities Congress actually intended to benefit So, our job is to deny wealthy companies or individuals any opportunity to misuse the DE discount to outbid small carriers the very carriers the DE program is meant to protect." The phone companies will argue that the are playing by the rules. Teletruth believes this is fraud. This is out-and-out-deception. Imagine that your state is building a road and a percentage of contractors must be small businesses. However, on investigation you see contractors larger than Trump and other very large contractors have created shell companies to bid and get the contracts. Wouldnt those contractors be put in jail? And these companies know full-well they are doing something
Re: [WISPA] more CRM
JohnnyO wrote: A $120,000,000/yr company here just moved to a CRM packaged called SalesLogix ? They have been very happy with it. It's price point is very attractive and the flexibility seems to be there. JohnnyO SalesLogix and SalesForce.com spend big advertising dollars. SugarCRM is the platform for SalesForce.com, which is moving deep into the on-demand, hosted app space. - Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] gas prices
You run your business as a sole proprietor? That means you have no asset protection - and you can only take advantage of about 25% of the tax code. S Corp or LLC allows you both asset protection and tax breaks. Marlon, spend the $1000 to have a corporate attorney get you incorporated and get your assets allocated correctly. One lawsuit and you lose everything - personal and business. Regards, Peter Marlon K. Schafer (509) 982-2181 wrote: We're a sole proprietor so all of the gas runs under the same bill. I filled the boat up once. Melissa drives a Suburban to work (4 miles or so) and we usually take that on out of town trips (much safer than the car) and I did fill up two Jerry cans for the dirt bikes. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] USF explained
Sue Crawford explains USF: http://scrawford.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2006/5/2/1928428.html -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] ATT reselling Wildblue
To fill in on rural gaps, ATT is selling Wildblue satellite internet service under its own brand. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060508/ap_on_hi_te/at_t_satellite_broadband_1] The company already has been trying fixed wireless broadband in Alaska, Georgia and New Jersey. One of the technologies mentioned by ATT as part of the trials is WiMax, which is similar to the Wi-Fi technology that underlies Internet hot spots, but offers greater range and speed. Posted by NSP Strategist to NSP Strategist http://radinfo.blogspot.com/2006/05/att-reselling-wildblue.html at 5/08/2006 04:40:00 PM -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Save the Internet (Net Neutrality)
Charles, Many do indeed :) - Peter Charles Wu wrote: But that's just the last mile local loop -- what about the ATM DS-3 circuit coming back (and so forth) Then there's servicing costs / etc Keep in mind -- Bell copper has been amortized for quite a long time now -- and has been installed at almost a 100% penetration rate -- if you're building your own infrastructure (wireless per say) -- do you realistically believe that you're monthly costs for transport (inclusive from your NOC to the customer's house) is less? -Charles --- CWLab Technology Architects http://www.cwlab.com -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Save the Internet (Net Neutrality)
What tariff rate? DSL is unregulated and de-tariffed. It is also subsidized by voice services, since it uses the same copper pair. Billing is miniscule (less than $1) because you already get a bill. Their IP and ATM combined cost is less than $2 per subscriber. The real overhead is tech support and the DSG (DSL Support Group). - Peter Matt Liotta wrote: It is? IIRC, the tariff price of 1.5 meg DSL from BellSouth is $23.95. -Matt Charles Wu wrote: But what about oversubscription? Transit costs aside, the cost of last-mile transport of even 1 Mbps of data pipe is still far more than $20-30 / month What happens when users actually start *using* the bandwidth they are *promised*... -Charles -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Save the Internet (Net Neutrality)
According to Eric Lee, most of the 500+ members of Congress don't understand any of this stuff, but have to write a bill that does. Hence, do you really think that Congress or the FCC takes in to account the difference between fiber and wireless? How about the cable system and the PSTN? How about wireless and cellular? Nope. All lumped under one big pile that is misunderstood, but is churning the American economic engine and keeping many lobbyists and Congressmen rich. Peter Tom DeReggi wrote: Well... you can't make Net Neutrality Laws without considering how ISPs would be capable of technically delivering on those laws, without self harm. I have not read anything from legislators that includes data on technical aspects of delivery. The problems is that Fiber has different capabilties than Wireless, and I jsut don;t see how someone can make a law that deal with delviery of data, when technologies used for delivery are so widely different in capacity. Ex. One fiber loop, can deliver 80GB. Jsut needs a hardware change, which price may drop in cost with market forces and legislation encouraging higher speeds and volume of deployment. Wireless on the other hand has a fixed capacity, in practicality today. In many cases peaked at 30mbps, and often peaked at as low a 4 mbps. How can legislation address both technologies with out special provisions injected to cater to each? The absense of adresssing dissimilar technology in Legislation infers that those writing legislation do not undrstand the issues at hand jsutifying it to be addressed. In truth, I have no prove that draws me to my conclusion. It just sounds likely to me. This industry takes a lot of predicting and forecasting, its not all black and white for us to know the truth. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Save the Internet (Net Neutrality)
Tom, Random mixed thoughts: When I buy a car or a sweater, I understand the tangible asset I have paid for. When I pay a toll on a highway, I understand that it is a tax for the thru-way upkeep. When I buy an internet pipe, I assume when they say 1.5M, I get 1.5M. Anything else better be explained or it is false advertising. And everyone has had the speed test junkies that scream about 1.3M. The Big Boys state that it is best effort. Do you? Do you advertise CIR or offer it? Do you have terms that explain it is not a dedicated connection? These are the CYA policies necessary. BellSouth has sued successfully ISPs for advertising they though was misleading, even as they themselves use misleading terms and phrases. But who has the bucks to sue the Tele-Baron??? I don't see any time soon when people are going to be downloading TV and movies. Some will, but a majority do not want to watch them from a PC. The Telcos are in for a rude awakening because the TV pie is static. As Isen explained this week, the price will have to go up for consumers, since neither cable nor telco can afford to pay off debt, maintain the pipes, and make their usual bloated profit off triple play. So it will be a price war in the short term, then price increases in the long term. Bloody for all, especially the consumer. On Net Neutrality - Personally, I think it should be hands off. Period. Anything less and the internet will become useless. And that Free Ride argument... who gets a free ride? Both sides all ready pay a provider for access. So where is the free? Plus, why do you think people want BB? If it was just to check email, they would stay on dial-up or buy a CrackBerry. They are buying an experience or a tool. If the tool doesn't work, they will buy another one. If the experience becomes painful, they will go elsewhere. This is the way of the market. Why do people flock to Starbucks, Lexus, BlackBerries? The experience, not the product. Sorry for rambling. One too many cups of cappucino today. Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Isen presentation on Net Neutrality
David S. Isenberg is a fellow of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society. http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/home/ He worked for ATT Labs until he wrote /The Rise of the Stupid Network /in May 1997. Network Neutrality Reality A podcast of my Berkman Lunch Talk yesterday, Network Neutrality Reality: What's Driving the Next Telecom Act is available: MP3 here http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/audio/uploads/45/61/david_isenberg_2006-05-02.mp3, powerpoints here http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/audio/uploads/47/Next_Telecom_Act.ppt. In my talk I try to give perspective on why the telcos want a law in the first place (because cable tv entry fits the business model they know) and how net neutrality hangs in the balance. -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] AOL offering wireless internet over Clearwires network
Tough to herd those cats, but you may want to really move on this. Get all the AOL® you want using your existing connection with 10 hours of dial-up, just in case. *$14.95* per month. With a BB connection, as low as $25.95 for Unlimited access to AOL. (http://discover.aol.com/allplans.adp) That means about $11 for the access piece. However, AOL BB has lots of video, so maybe you don't want to move. Can you let them have unlimited access to AOL (pop-ups, banner ads, streaming ads and videos, and all) all for just $11? - Peter Brian Webster wrote: Well it's starting, and at $26 per month too. Let's hope this might actually help the WISP industry by being able to partner as a Group with AOL and offer the same wholesale deal in markets where Clearwire does not offer service or may not have any license. But that would still require everyone getting together as a whole (because AOL would not deal with each one individually) and also developing a national database/mapping coverage footprint. Just an idea, it appears they are going to do it without the WISP industry anyway now. Sure would be nice to leverage a huge marketing engine like AOL or MSN without having to bear the expense. http://www.rcrnews.com/news.cms?newsId=26292 Thank You, Brian Webster www.wirelessmapping.com -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Pioneering Wi-Fi City Sees Startup Woes
Free Municipal Wi-Fi Service Boosts Economic Development in the City of St. Cloud, FL at http://www.digitalcityexpo.com/agenda.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Pioneering Wi-Fi City Sees Startup Woes
Bob Moldashel wrote: 3500 registered users using a network that costs $400K per year to maintain!!! That's $114 per subscriber! Why not just pay to give them DSL! LOL You laugh, but there are ISPs with less than 50 broadband customers. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] UL WiMAX update
Marlon K. wrote: It's funny. I thought that getting the local businesses on broadband would help me sell more of it. People would use it at work and want it at home too right? Wrong. They just do all of their stuff at work and sometimes cancel even the dialup! This is because people don't find enough value in broadband. If you can check all your mail at home and then on your cellphone, what do you need broadband for? That's the story you have to tell... What great things they can do with BB... connect to the community, watch video, download music at iTunes/Y!... etc. You might have to create a niche in order to sell more. Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Universal Service Fund White Space
That's wishful thinking, The harsh reality of DC and politics is something else altogether. When has any act of Congress or the FCC been a consumer benefit in the last 3 years??? And considering many of the WISPs don't want to particpate in federal filings, why would the feds want to let them particpate in funds that go to their staunches supporters? And clear benefit? Clear to who? There are 500+ Congresspeople that don't understand whit one about anything to do with wireless, the Internet and telecom. Sprint and BellSouth are co-opting the wireless clear benefit by putting up there own wireless - while drinking the Wimax punch. Peter Tom DeReggi wrote: If you want USF money, you will have to start charging/collecting USF money. Disagree. We already pay it on our downstreams any way. Its about benefiting consumers not benefiting providers. USF helps get services to consumers. Giving part of the money to WISPs, help serve more consumers more efficiently so more consumers can be served. There is a clear benefit of allowing WISPs to receive funds, regardless of wether they pay in. The small miniscule amount a WISP would pay in today is next to nothing. Percentage of market owned by WISPs way less than .1%, to small to record. Tom DeReggi -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Looks like Congress is Giving the Bells more
http://www.rad-info.net/fcc/ Survey to take: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=675152044966 Statement of Principles: http://www.savetheinternet.com/=principles The SavetheInternet.com Blog: http://www.savetheinternet.com/blog/ Tell Congress to Save Net Neutrality Now: http://action.freepress.net/ct/0pM0TqM19PRt/ Thank you. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 or 985.240.4156 http://4isps.com -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Columbia SC
Can any provide wireless here? Street: 6911 N. Trenholm Road Building / Floor / Room: Suite #2 City, State, ZIp: Columbia, SC 29206 Phone: 803-782-5445 Seems to be no cable or DSL. -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Universal Service Fund White Space
These are just my thoughts, but they come from having taken a serious beating in DC over the last 18 months. Lesson One: FCC will protect the PSTN and the associated ILECs at all costs. Lesson Two: Tax monies are THE issue. Lesson Three: No Free Lunch. None. Period. Lesson Four: Politicians will say one thing and do the opposite. Always figure out where their bread is buttered. That said: You want white space. You want more Unlicensed Spectrum. You want USF funds. You want E-rate monies. Okay. What are you willing to sacrifice in return? USF is a white cow for people such as Sen. Stevens. If you want USF money, you will have to start charging/collecting USF money. If you want E-Rate, learn the system, get a SPIN number, suck up to the Board of Education, and get some E-Rate projects. (You won't win it with the lowest bid alone. No one wants to change the status quo). If you want more unlicensed spectrum, what will you do for the FCC or the PSTN or the SYSTEM? This list complained loudly and publicly about filling out the required Broadband subscriber forms. What will you do when you are filling out 499/499a forms? What about when you have to make your USF payments on a timely, quarterly basis, but the system won't accept payments under $1000? (Plus that 11% fee will not help your lowest price system of selling). That's my 2 cents. Be careful out there. They eat their young. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Net Neutrality and AOL ...It Begins
Matt, Dave's topic isn't really Net Neutrality. That is an ISP filtering its own email accounts. You can change ISPs. Net Neutrality deals with the last mile providers - MSO and ILEC - prioritizing their traffic or partner traffic while squeezing out traffic from all other sources. Net Neutrality is about having an open connection to the Internet. AOL doesn't own the last mile. People frustrated with AOL can switch to EarthLink or another ISP. Just out of curiosity, besides speaking to the choir about NN, did any action plans come out of F2C? Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. Matt Larsen - Lists wrote: I was able to go to the Freedom to Connect conference earlier this month on behalf of WISPA. Net neutrality was one of the hot topics of the conference, but there was a lot of disagreement on how it should (or should not) be controlled. This email about the subject provides a decent understanding of the sort of thing that will start to happen over the next few years for users of telco and cable broadband services. This is a tough issue. On one hand, I don't really want to have any legislation out there that tells me how to run my network. On the other hand, I don't want to have my BACKBONE provider prioritizing or de-prioritizing traffic to my network according to who is paying THEM. Spam emails are just the tip of the iceberg. This one is going to get ugly real fast. Matt Larsen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Original Message Subject: [DDN] Net Neutrality and AOL ...It Begins Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2006 00:22:14 -0500 From: Dave A. Chakrabarti [EMAIL PROTECTED] snip That changed for me today. For those of you out of the loop with AOL's involvement in this: AOL has recently proposed a filtering system that allows corporate users to pay a fee to bypass someone's spam filtering. If you have an AOL account, this means that AOL can charge me to send you a mailing. Or it can ask the DDN to pay a fee to make sure these emails continue to get to you. It can send spam back to your inbox even though you don't want it there...because spammers tend to have a *lot* of money to spend if it means bypassing someone's spam filters. Now they've taken it to another level. If you send someone an email asking them to take a critical look at AOL's new policy, your email will be filtered out. That's right. If I want to email a friend of mine who happens to be using an AOL account, and I even mention a certain website, AOL will bounce the email back to me saying that user doesn't exist. You know what? Since this email contains AOL and filter and a bunch of other terms that look suspiciously like I might not be asking you to buy AOL stock, members of this email list *may not* receive this email. If I include the actual URL I'm talking about (a site designed to ask AOL users and others to ask the company not to move forward with this), it's *guaranteed* that members of this list will not receive that email. Or receive any other email from today, if they're receiving DDN list stuff in digest form. Someone at DDN is going to get a bunch of bouncebacks that look like those addresses don't work anymore...but wait, they do! They just don't work if you're trying to make people aware of what AOL is doing. snip Dave. --- Dave A. Chakrabarti Projects Coordinator CTCNet Chicago [EMAIL PROTECTED] (708) 919 1026 --- -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Brokers / Master Agents for Wireless ?
Sorry about that! This was supposed to be off-list. Peter R. wrote: Rick, This can be a good thing. Referral programs can be great. I set up compensation plans and referral programs for ISPs. I also am a sales agent for 20+ companies (so I have an idea what the industry averages are). Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm Rick Smith wrote: Anyone work with a Master Agent for selling their services ? I've been approached by someone in the t-1 / dsl resale arena that would like to get quotes on addresses from wireless guys (US!) first... Would this be the arena to ask for such qualifications or should we start up another list ? R -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Brokers / Master Agents for Wireless ?
Rick, This can be a good thing. Referral programs can be great. I set up compensation plans and referral programs for ISPs. I also am a sales agent for 20+ companies (so I have an idea what the industry averages are). Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm Rick Smith wrote: Anyone work with a Master Agent for selling their services ? I've been approached by someone in the t-1 / dsl resale arena that would like to get quotes on addresses from wireless guys (US!) first... Would this be the arena to ask for such qualifications or should we start up another list ? R -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] FCC Sets Rules For AWS Auction
At its monthly open meeting earlier today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved plans to reallocate spectrum below 3 GHz now earmarked for new Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) and to set into motion a June 29 auction of the AWS radio frequencies for which the FCC expects to rake in more than $2 billion in license sales... http://www.telecomweb.com/news/1144871003.htm -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Tech Support Call Center Interest ?
Tom, The key to growth in business is hiring the right people. You can successfully run more than one business at the same time with capable employees - as well as processes, procedures and controls in place. (This is the key to franchising and the E-Myth, btw). Three problems: 1) Finding the right people 2) Having the processes in place 3) Letting go. Regards, Peter Tom DeReggi wrote: Rick, I'm sure you'd do well at anything you put your mind to, and I'm sure you are capable. However, the only advice I can give is... The key to success is finding the time to manage your company. The only real person that can be trusted to do that well are the people that have stake in that compnay. In my company's case its me personally. There is only so much time in the day. A business owner needs to decide what business they want to be in, and then focus on that venture, its all one mortal human can handle in a competitive environment and succeed. A CALL CENTER is a Full time business, just like your WISP. Helping your WISP clients, means staff is not available to help Call Center clients at the same time, and vice versa. These problems go away, when both companies scale large enough to have their own staff. However, getting a company to that stage, of self operating, is where most business owners fail, its not easy. You are no longer able to pick up the slack on your own. Franchises often make it. But getting two businesses to that stage simultaneously is near impossible. So should your perogative to be a Call Center, go for it, thats what the American Dream is all about, you have just a good a chance as any one else. There is also a big need for a call center, where the owner has real world WISP experience to add credability to supporting WISPs. But to do a good job at a call center, be realistic that your WISP surely would sacrify to allow it to happen. Which business do you want to be in? Personally, its a struggle I face regularly. (WISP, Network integrator, Hardware reseller, router manufacturer, Software developer). Opportunity is on every corner, but you can't do it all well, which do you take? A WISP clearly is NOT the least risky of all the options out there. However, I chose to be a WISP. I am banking on reoccuring revenue, one day without requiring reoccuring work to match, and realistic about the fact I hate to be caught behind a desk 24x7. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] MIMO
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/73487 *Avoiding MIMO* /Professor warns: stick with 802.11g/ Posted 2006-04-10 13:22:06 Incorrectly advising users that new 802.11n gear won't work with old hotspots, an article in the Boston Globe http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2006/04/09/less_is_more_create_a_network_with_no_wires/ also uses conversations with computer engineering professor Thomas A. McGonagle to suggest users should avoid MIMO gear entirely. /These Multi Input, Multi Output gadgets achieve excellent signal quality and range by hogging the wireless spectrum up to 219 yards away- If you live in the city or suburbs, your MIMO router will knock out your wireless-enabled neighbors' connections. And if your neighbors also have MIMO, you'll all lose your connections. MIMO also won't work with those free Wi-Fi hotspots that are popping up in increasing numbers of cafes and libraries./ -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] TDM
Anthony Will wrote: Im I wrong here because I believe a T1 line utilizes TDD (Time Division Duplexing)? Thus it is a half duplex solution. In reality it feels like a full duplex solution due to the timing. Anthony It is TDM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time-division_multiplexing TDM T1's are full duplex. (The CPE may not be, but the circuit is). Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Is this real? More unlicensed bands?
hraunfoss.*fcc*.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-255351A1.pdf In today’s 2nd Report and Order, the Commission amended its rules for general Part 15 unlicensed operations that use wide bandwidths but are not classified as UWB devices under its rules. It increased the peak power limits and reduced the unwanted emission levels for 3 frequency bands that were already available for unlicensed operation: 5925-7250 MHz, 16.2- 17.2 GHz, and 23.12-29 GHz, and indicated that higher peak power limits in these bands would facilitate wideband operations such as short range communications, collision avoidance, inventory control and tracking systems. The Commission also amended its measurement procedures to permit frequency hopped, swept frequency, and gated systems operating within these bands to be measured in their normal operating mode. In light of these changes to the general Part 15 provisions, the Commission did not make any major changes to the current UWB technical requirements, indicating that changes to these rules at this early stage could be disruptive to current industry product development efforts. The Commission made only a minor change to the measurement procedure applied to gated UWB vehicular radar systems. Action by the Commission December 15, 2004, by Second Report and Order and Second Memorandum Opinion and Order in ET 98-153 (FCC 04-285). Chairman Powell, Commissioners Abernathy, Copps, Martin and Adelstein. From December 24, 2004: * FCC Permits New Unlicensed UWB Devices * * ** *The FCC adopted new rules to permit unlicensed wideband devices in the 6 GHz, 17 GHz and 24 GHz bands. Specifically, the FCC amended its rules for general Part 15 unlicensed operations that use wide bandwidths but are not classified as UWB devices under its rules. It increased the peak power limits and reduced the unwanted emission levels for 3 frequency bands that were already available for unlicensed operation: 5925-7250 MHz, 16.2-17.2 GHz, and 23.12-29 GHz, and indicated that higher peak power limits in these bands would facilitate wideband operations such as short range communications, collision avoidance, inventory control and tracking systems. The Commission also amended its measurement procedures to permit frequency hopped, swept frequency, and gated systems operating within these bands to be measured in their normal operating mode. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] DSL vs. Wireless Broadband
Tom DeReggi wrote: I've been plaqued by this problem, as my company name is... RapidDSL. It gets me the leads, but it also starts every sales call out with why I'm charging more than $50 a month for my service, that I generally get $150-$500 a month for. I'm seeing this company name as a problem more and more. If Wi-Fi or DSL is in your name, people's perception of you is different. Why would they buy a T1 or 10MB circuit from a company that specializes in DSL? Your name is your brand. Your brand only has room for one perception in the customers mind. It is very easy to get a DBA or Fictious Name registered with the Secretary of your State. So while your company is RapidDSL it could be dba RapidData, RapidPacket, or RapidBB. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. BTW, the newsletter is out: http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] BST, ATT, Sprint and 2.3G and 2.5G
BellSouth, the second-largest owner of 2.5GHz spectrum in the U.S., controls spectrum in most of the 50 largest markets, according to published reports. It also has substantial 2.3GHz spectrum (acquired in auctions in 1997). SBC Communications also gained a large amount of 2.3GHz spectrum when it acquired ATT. According to publicly available information, neither company has yet developed any of the spectrum into a commercial line of business; rather, the spectrum is effectively warehoused at present. (However, BellSouth has deployed test broadband service in nine in-region markets using its 2.3GHz spectrum, and it announced in March that it would use the 2.3GHz spectrum to provide backup broadband /BellSouths+WiMax+offered+as+broadband+backup/2100-1034_3-6051635.html?tag=nl for its wireline broadband service.) http://news.com.com/Is+the+AT38T-BellSouth+merger+in+trouble/2010-1037_3-6057214.html -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] CPE Cost Ideas Needed
Be tough to get a 4 year contract. Plus how are you going to enforce these contracts? Who owns the CPE after install? Who takes care of maintenance? How about a Priority install charge to help off-set the CPE? Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. 4isps.com marketingideaguy.com Joshua M. Andrews wrote: I'm about to get my first WISP up and running but the major factor that's holding me back is the initial cost of the CPE's. I've decided to go with WaveWireless (formerly WaveRider) 900Mhz but the lowest prices are around $350 or so. I've been thinking of pitching the service by saying the following: Option 1: 1 Year Contract and install is $295.95. Option 2: 2 Year Contract and install is $195.95. Option 3: 3 Year Contract and install is $99.95. Option 4: 4 Year Contract and install is FREE. Anybody else have any suggestions to help offset the initial cost per customer in this regard? Thanks in advance. Sincerely, Joshua M. Andrews Support Corps of America www.SupportCorps.us http://www.SupportCorps.us -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] I guess we do not count
John Scrivner wrote: WASHINGTON, April 3 (Reuters) - The number of U.S. subscribers to broadband high-speed Internet service jumped 32.3 percent to 42.9 million lines in the year ended June 2005, the Federal Communications Commission reported on Monday. These figures were collected almost a year ago: between April and June of 2005. The data is almost a year old. When the data recently collected is published next year, you may be included. Government calculators are slow. Regards, Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Wireless ISPs stake claims
Being a wireless Internet service provider is becoming a popular business. A handful of local companies, large and small, are bringing different approaches to the marketplace, hoping to distinguish themselves and stake a position in the front of an industry headed toward consolidation -- not unlike the story of incumbent carriers, local exchange carriers and original ISPs of the 1990s. http://www.bizjournals.com/masshightech/stories/2006/04/03/story1.html -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Nortel to test Wireless Mesh in Israel
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060403/wr_nm/telecoms_israel_nortel_dc_2 Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] e-rate
http://www.fcc.gov/learnnet/ http://www.universalservice.org/sl/ http://www.e-ratecentral.com/us/stateInformation.asp?state=KY http://www.rad-info.net/erate.htm KyWiFi LLC wrote: Where does a WISP look to find out if their state/city will allow them to provide broadband service to schools under the erate program? I tried searching google but didn't see any details listed for our state. -Shannon -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Sprint Wi-Fi
By Al Senia http://www.americasnetwork.com/americasnetwork/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=314704 Municipal Wi-Fi networks are sprouting up around the United States, and it’s been independent ISPs such as EarthLink and Google that typically have struck deals with cities to provide wireless broadband access in an attempt to wrest market share from incumbent service providers. Now in an example of the “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” mentality,” Sprint Nextel has entered into a 60-day trial with the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, Nev. to launch a mesh Wi-Fi broadband network. The wireless service is primarily aimed at helping city officials and emergency responders work more efficiently in the field, although it will also be made available to every resident, visitor and business in the city of 175,000. Sprint views the trial as a learning experience. “We are doing this to better understand how people use it and to measure network performance,” explained one Sprint executive at the TelecomNext trade show, where the announcement was made this week. Like other service providers, Sprint is studying how to develop a Wi-Fi business model that can actually make a profit. (Sprint is covering the network’s cost, but it won’t reveal the amount of the investment.) Henderson Mayor James Gibson says police and fire personnel, as well as safety inspectors will heavily utilize the wireless system. The trial is being touted as the first municipal Wi-Fi trial of any magnitude carried out by a local operator in the US market. The Wi-Fi service is actually being operated by Sprint’s local communications business, which is expected to separate from the parent company later this year and operate under the name Embarq. What’s interesting about this situation is that Sprint is actually competing with itself since it offers PCS and EVDO service in the same service footprint. Of course, it’s not at all clear whether the Henderson trial will extend beyond the end of May. But if it does, Sprint could conceivable lose existing broadband customers to the new citywide broadband network. (It could also lose telephone customers to VoIP running over the network.) Of course, Sprint and other incumbent providers face the same problem battling the municipal networks in cities across the US. At least in Henderson’s case, Sprint can somewhat control the competitive fray, as well as lock out other Wi-Fi service providers. For these reasons, if this experiment extends beyond its initial date, it could serve as a model for incumbent telcos, especially if Sprint ends up with a business model that actually works and turns a profit. (Al Senia is the editor of America’s Network.) -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Muni wireless
http://localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=13558 -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Article: BellSouth WiMax correction
First off, it wasn't offered in Vegas - that is where the TelecomNext show is this week, where BST announced that they will be lab testing WiMAX gear. They use propriety wireless gear in select test towns from Navini to offer broadband. And have now announced that the wireless would be for backup/redundancy. Regards, Peter http://www.rcrnews.com/news.cms?newsId=25911 LAS VEGAS—BellSouth Corp. unveiled a pre-WiMAX wireless broadband back-up system for businesses’ Internet connections. The carrier said the system allows customers to activate a Wi-Fi hotspot at a business location, with a WiMAX backhaul, in the event the wireline network goes down. The add-on service will cost BellSouth broadband customers $30 a month. BellSouth says the service will offer downstream speeds up to 1.5 megabits per second. The company initially offered the service in Athens, Ga. and has since deployed it in several other cities where it offer WiMAX services, including New Orleans and Gulfport, Miss. The company plans to expand the service to more cities this year. “BellSouth recognizes that customers are increasingly in need of redundant access services,” said Randy Roberts, BellSouth’s vice president of consumer devices and wireless. “With Wi-Fi from BellSouth, businesses can distinguish themselves and offer a convenience to those who are working or surfing the Internet at their business location.” ATT Inc. recently announced its intention to acquire BellSouth in a transaction that, if approved by federal regulators, would close within about a year -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Adzilla Revenue Streams
Tom, Is it just me or are many of your posts written in outrage or disbelief? You have the right to discuss how the model should work for WISPs, but I think that you need to understand that the model needs to work 2 ways - for the vendor and the WISP - whether VOIP or advertising. The problem is that a vendor designs the system from their view and then changes it later to attract more partners. In the process, the original plan is so manipulated that the plan fails and no one wins. (Bandwidth resellers and VOIP providers to name but a few). In the case of Adzilla, the cost of the boxes is one fixed cost but the cost of selling local advertising is a very real additional cost. And if you have ever tried to hire salespeople you know that it is challenging. Media advertising is just as demanding. And as you add partners, a company has to scale. Scale takes money and time and people. Many start-ups want to maximize the business plan (and VC capital infusions) by capturing white elephants. I understand your frustration. Little guys need help and it seems that many vendors don't treat them as partners. There are a few reasons for this, but chief among them is that it takes huge time to sell to many smaller players. Pareto Principle. Regards, Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Digital Realty Trust Facilities Offer Rooftop Space
Digital Realty Trust Facilities Offer Rooftop Space in Strategic Locations for Wireless and Satellite Installations the leading owner and manager of corporate data centers and Internet gateways, today announced four recent lease agreements with tenants that have taken rooftop space at Digital Realty Trust Internet Gateway facilities. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104STORY=/www/story/03-07-2006/0004314752EDATE= http://www.digitalrealtytrust.com/ -- Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Adzilla Revenue Streams
Easy to say but then you don't have to supply the Sun boxes that the Zillacasters run on. Also, selling local advertising takes time and man-power. How do you get enough click-throughs and other metrix on 500 subs? Even pay the advertising salesperson? Regards, Peter Tom DeReggi wrote: For the life of me, it amazes me how companies come up with requirements like 10,000. Any one with half a sense, would realise that WISPs dont have 10,000 subs yet, but all combined represent a unique segment of the market, The Under Served, that no other ISP can touch. Its not like you can turn the station like TV or Radio. 7000 wireless providers times 500 users each = 3,500,000 unique eye balls to market to with Broadband. Adzilla is insane not having a 500 sub startout package. Where you miss in vlume of users you substitute with frequency of adds. Where you had had hardware appliance you subsitute software executable. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Adzilla ads
Every page has the option of taking ads from numerous sources like mediaplex, doubleclick, etc. Some pages the ad server is static (no choice). In others, the ad server is dynamic (each time you view the page the ad is different). Frank Muto wrote: Who determines the relevancy of the add? So what I am seeing here, is if I have an ad campaign with one of the web publishers mention below with the same product or service, the Adzilla ad would take it's place over our ad? Frank Muto President/CEO FSM Marketing Group, Inc -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Adzilla Con Call
Seems like we have a lot of questions, and it would be best if an Adzilla Engineer answered them. On March 15 at 10:30 Pacific time, RAD-INFO will be a hosting a conference call for those interested in a QA with Adzilla. Just email me your email adress that we can send a Live Meeting invite to and I will send you the bridge info. This call is a complimentary service. Thank you. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. NSP Strategist Telecom Agent ISP Consultant 813-963-5884 -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Group Focus
If there was indeed the focus of discussion - (promoting and improving the wireless industry) - then there would be far less traffic, since a majority of threads are about VoIP, revenue, FCC, the dreaded forms, and where do I get? None of that is about promoting the wireless industry (well, maybe the FCC threads, but certainly the thread about not wanted to fill out federally required forms on a publicly archived listserv is not). Maybe you need to re-define the focus of this listserv. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. http://4isps.com Matt Larsen - Lists wrote: I for one would prefer that we maintain some semblance of focus on our core focus as an organization (promoting and improving the wireless industry). I could sell Amway and consider that to be an additional revenue stream for my WISP, but having me ramble on about that is the last thing anyone here should have to be subjected to. The last thing we need on this list is more noise to drown our our signal, whether that noise is discussion that is relatively unrelated to the wireless industry (like the original post) or plain old I don't like this or that so I'm leaving drama. Thanks for nipping this one Rick. Keep up the good work. Matt Larsen [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Adzilla Revenue Streams
How about to make it easy for all of you, I set up a con call with Martin Stewart from Adzilla for a QA early next week? There are minimums because the Zillacaster hardware isn't exactly cheap. Plus local advertising has to be sold (and salespeople paid to close contracts on that). If interested in the call, please email me for bridge info. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. 813.963.5884 -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Adzilla Revenue Streams
I worked with Martin at Adzilla on a Conference Call to introduce him to some prospective ISPs. (http://www.rad-info.net/partners/adzilla.htm) Adzilla is a possible revenue stream for ISPs through ad replacement. (Instead of them seeing the ILEC ad, they can see you ad). It is definitely worth a listen to. For larger ISPs (25k subs or higher), there is another revenue generation stream: Bare Fruit. (http://www.rad-info.net/partners/barefruit.htm) When your users get a HTTP error (like 404 or 500) from a search, the Bare Fruit server will offer up a page of links along with the message that the page you click on was unavailable, perhaps these links would be suitable. The links come from a search of the clicked link and each click through pays the ISP. (This can amount to huge revenue). These are some of the ways for an ISP to gain revenue from its existing network of eyeballs. (In both cases, no upfront costs for the ISP either). Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. 813.963.5884 Charles Wu wrote: Here's an interesting concept (so interesting, in fact, that we made a session about it at our next show) All wireless network operators today carry Internet advertising over their networks. All that network traffic equates to more than $14 billion dollars per year and is growing at double-digit rates every year. Yet, even though the network operator is responsible for connecting the eyeball to the ad, they are left conspicuously on the sidelines when the advertising revenue checks are being handed out. John Wigboldus from Adzilla New Media will discuss how the wireless network operator needs to think and act like a cable television company to start earning revenue from advertisements that are being shown to their viewers. More details at: http://www.winog.com Now sure exactly what they're about -- but IMO, it's an interesting thought (and I'm gonna try to make that session =) Btw, for those of you that can't make it -- don't fret, we DO post powerpoints after the show available for public download (but of course it's NEVER as good as actually being there =) -Charles --- WiNOG Austin, TX March 13-15, 2006 http://www.winog.com -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VoIP/PBX Gateway appliance - 911
Nuvio and CommPartners rely on Intrada for 911, just like Vonage. As the Vonage IPO so clearly pointed out, 911 coverage is spotty at best. Residential 911 is harder due to the nomadic possibilities. CallVantage has taken measures to cover their butts and Lingo is working on it. But Intrado is in the mist of being purchased, so 911 will be murky for the foreseeable future. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. John Scrivner wrote: The Nuvio guy told me they did not have 911 when I talked to them. When did this change? Scriv -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VoIP/PBX Gateway appliance
You haven't seen it yet, because Lingo is not profitable yet. Primus owns Lingo and Primus is basically an International VOIP company. Like so many VOIP Providers, they are still trying to figure out how to make a profit. Delta3 (which is the backend for VZ's VoiceWing) made $9.1M in revenue in 4Q05 and just $22k in income. Vonage has a customer acquisition cost that is 20 times their MRC. Regards, Peter Jonathan Schmidt wrote: I've been personally delighted with two years of Lingo giving me unlimited USA/Canada/EUROPE calling on 7 lines each for $19.95/month and an unusually rich set of features (like e-mailing me compressed WAV files of all incoming voicemails, etc.). Now, that's retail w/box and support. I've taken the box on trips and routed it through my laptop Ethernet while the laptop is on a V.32 dialup and it works but sounds kind of like a cell phone but having my local number with me in Europe and having unlimited free calls throughout Europe from Europe or Eastern Europe for ZERO additional cost is kinda cool. It's SIP but they keep promising a soft phone for the line, like Vonaga, but haven't seen it yet. . . . j o n a t h a n -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] ATT merging with BellSouth
Qwest has too much debt. BellSouth LD is Qwest's largest customer. So even less revenue to pay off that huge debt. George Rogato wrote: Qwest is next. We all know consolidation is going to continue. So I went out and bought some Qwest shares this am. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VoIP/PBX Gateway appliance
Primus is a big International LD company. That is how it began in 1994. Check out the Primus Wireless plan. Cellular and VOIP are based in International exchanges. Primus has short term debt of $26M; long term is $635M. About to be de-listed from Nasdaq. Net loss for the fourth quarter 2005 was ($25) million (including a $13 million net loss from foreign currency transactions, a $4 million gain on early extinguishment of debt and $1 million in severance expense). Revenue growth was in wireless (MVNO), Covad re-sale, and International markets. Retail VOIP services grew modestly in the quarter to approximately 104,000 customers. This growth level reflects the fact that the Company continued to moderate its investment in LINGO in part due to the disruption in marketing activities raised by E911 regulations. Revenue from retail VOIP customers reached $8 million during the fourth quarter. John Scrivner wrote: Primus tells me they are more than a VOIP company and that they do make money. They impressed me in my dealings with them. Can you share more about your information about Primus? I have a big interest in knowing anything I can about them right now. Thanks, Scriv Peter R. wrote: You haven't seen it yet, because Lingo is not profitable yet. Primus owns Lingo and Primus is basically an International VOIP company. Like so many VOIP Providers, they are still trying to figure out how to make a profit. Delta3 (which is the backend for VZ's VoiceWing) made $9.1M in revenue in 4Q05 and just $22k in income. Vonage has a customer acquisition cost that is 20 times their MRC. Regards, Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VoIP
I have to agree with Matt. Selling Host PBX service is probably the only part left of VOIP that allow for a margin. Peter Matt Liotta wrote: Primus/Lingo is calling every WISP in the country trying to sign them up for a very CommPartners like deal. All of these VoIP providers are using the same shitty model that will be worthless in 2 years time. There is no money to be made in VoIP short-term unless you operate your own equipment. Long-term, there is no money to be made in VoIP at all. VoIP will soon be a loss leader; plan for it or do get into the VoIP business. BTW, Primus makes all their money on international termination. The domestic stuff is losing money hand over fist. -Matt -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VoIP/PBX Gateway appliance
Issues such as LNP, E-911, 411, CALEA, yellow page listings, and taxes will take a bite out of any profit. Even termination, origination and DIDs cost money. Let's say you get a 2 way CLEC PRI for $615 + DIDs at $10 per 20. And let's say the CLEC will do your LNP and 911. $615 divided by 23 ports is $26.75 per line (not including taxes nad fees). You can over-subscribe about 5:1 for Resi, so your port cost is $5.35 + $5 in fees say = $10. LD Termination varies: switched is $0.03; Ded LD is $0.17 plus the T1 line; VoIP LD Termination is $0.018 from Primus. Average LD is 300 minutes = $5.40 That's $15 of cost without factoring in labor, admin, etc. Someone like delta3 has plans for $15.99. Plus now instead of bursty traffic you have steady streams, so please engineer your networks accordingly. Next, you have the CPE and install costs. Plus bad debt on International calls as well as on the local dial-tone. In addition, Billing costs are about $1.50. Mind you , this was just one quick case. Regards, Peter Jason Hensley wrote: For someone like me who is currently looking at getting into the VoIP business, why is it that you feel VoIP will be a long-term loser? I have just started my research into what it will take to provide this so I'm a little behind on it, but I'm definately interested in all opinions and options. Thanks! -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VoIP Charges and other
That whole FCC E-911 thing was to save the PSTN. Cell phones have been around 10 years without 911. The other VOIP concern are the Virtual NXX cases at the FCC. If SBC wins it's virtual NXX case against Valor (?? maybe another company), the charges for DID will go through the roof. Virtual NXX is how you are able to have a number outside your rate center. Peter Brian Webster wrote: I might be inclined to say it may be a loser in the future. I just read an article in a Telco trade magazine that announced a software package that can sniff SIP packets and give real time information for billing based on an IBM server. In that same article they talked about how they could limit or stop any SIP traffic from any provider if they wanted, but the thing that caught my eye was how they mentioned they could tell things like termination points and delivery charges. This is just like the current Telco model. If they start pushing VOIP to a typical Telco model (and they should from their point of view to level the playing field and raise the cost of doing VOIP) then the regulatory and call delivery costs will go up and the cost benefit starts to go down. It is an interesting point of view and worth keeping an eye on. The way they were able to shove the 911 thing down the VOIP operators throats in such short order makes me wonder if they won't do the same thing with termination charges based on IP and packets like they do with copper now. Thank You, Brian Webster www.wirelessmapping.com http://www.wirelessmapping.com -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VoIP/PBX Gateway appliance
You might have just had a bad experience. I beta tested the Primus Business VOIP product in 2004 and my only complaint was that after talking for 75 minutes on one call, it would die. And the Cisco ATA needed to be rebooted a lot. Peter KyWiFi LLC wrote: Hi Scriv, We tried Lingo but could not get it to work reliably and their voice quality was horrible when it did work. Their support is overseas so expect to be treated like a number instead of a person. LNP's are hard to get approved and people calling our ported number often got a busy signal when we were not on the phone. Even if we were on the phone, they should not have received a busy signal because we their service is suppose to include call waiting. During the first week or two after our number was ported, some callers received a This number has been disconnected message when they called us. My advice is to turn and run. Sincerely, Shannon D. Denniston, Co-Founder KyWiFi, LLC - Mt. Sterling, Kentucky http://www.KyWiFi.com http://www.KyWiFiVoice.com Phone: 859.274.4033 A Broadband Phone Internet Provider -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VoIP/PBX Gateway appliance
You're a CLEC, right? Matt Liotta wrote: The notion of avoiding toll costs by working with other WISPs sounds great in theory. From our standpoint, it would cost us more to connect to a single WISP than to pay our entire long distance bill. We pay between $0.002 to $0.005 per minute on average for domestic long distance. -Matt -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Gov't Gets One Right
News flash for you: This is where we are today. RBOCs and MSOs control the last mile. Neither has to share. WISPs, BPL, and Muni projects will be the 3rd pipe. (I don't count cellular because that is RBOC). Pete Davis wrote: Think that's not bad for the entrepreneurs? Try starting a water company that competes with the city's water system. Or a power company. Or a 1st class mail delivery service. I don't think I can get $12/hr union workers to hand-deliver mail to houses for $0.39/letter and make a profit. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Gov't Gets One Right
Jeromie Reeves wrote: I said the same thing on the moto wireless list. We are being pushed to be eaten by the larger wisps or closed down. I do not like it and can only try and fight it but I have no idea how. Hopefully wispa knows the direction as i do not thin(k) part-15 knows. Jeromie Want the answer? Innovate. Re-Invent. Be Remarkable. OTOH, selling just connectivity will be utilitarian in a very short time. Don't like change? You will like irrelevance even less. Regards, Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Gov't Gets One Right
It is Grand Standing, but the Federal Gov't has said they we have a Broadband policy - and we have all met that beast. Affordable broadband is an economic necessity for communities. (Lots of studies published in Broadband Properties mag to back that up). When you are competing for every dollar, every job, globally, people in the US are at a disadvantage. Again, it is more about BB Penetration than deployment. And BB Penetration has 2 keys: a price point for people to get it and a compelling REASON. http://radinfo.blogspot.com/2006/03/bb-penetration-not-deployment.html NYC is talking about adding a 3rd pipe. An alternative. Without real competition, you do not get innovation nor price reductions. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Gov't Gets One Right
It is Grand Standing, but the Federal Gov't has said they we have a Broadband policy - and we have all met that beast. Affordable broadband is an economic necessity for communities. (Lots of studies published in Broadband Properties mag to back that up). When you are competing for every dollar, every job, globally, people in the US are at a disadvantage. Again, it is more about BB Penetration than deployment. And BB Penetration has 2 keys: a price point for people to get it and a compelling REASON. http://radinfo.blogspot.com/2006/03/bb-penetration-not-deployment.html Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Gov't Gets One Right - sorry
Sorry for the dupe posts and the wording. Tired and trying to channel Tom Peters. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] airBand
Dallas' airBand Communications Inc. is earmarking some of its new $8 million round of funding for an expansion into Austin. http://www.bizjournals.com/industries/high_tech/internet/2006/02/27/austin_story6.html Thank you. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 _http://www.rad-info.net/seminar.htm_ -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VOIP
Matt Larsen - Lists wrote: So far, LNP is not a big deal - it's pretty easy to get a toll-free line. Toll-free is not LNP. How does the biz client keep his phone number without keeping his service with the LEC? But the 911 requirement is a problem. The whole PSAP setup where the local authorities get their 911 information is a joke. CLECs control access and can charge whatever they want - plus there is a charge for every communication center connection. I see two out of the box ways to deal with the 911 requirement. The first, is to have a wifi/gsm phone, and roaming agreements with GSM providers. Then , responsibility for the 911 call is shifted to the GSM provider. This only solves the 911 not the Enhanced 911 problem. Regards, Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VOIP BOC?
we call them TELE-BARONS. A. Huppenthal wrote: I wonder what we should start calling the new telcos. There are 3 international companies that control nearly all of telcom today. Verizon/MCI, SBC that bought Cingular/ATT, and Sprint/Nextel. They aren't Bell Operating Companies. They are really big, mostly unchecked mega-telcos. RBMTs.. :-) -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Terms and Contracts
Jory Privett wrote: I was just wondering how a small WISP goes about enforcing a contract? If someone cancels early what actions do I have available to enforce their contract? Any Ideas or suggestions? Jory Privett WCCS Collections usually works, but negotiating with the end user should be the first step. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VOIP
The margin in consumer VOIP is disappearing. The costs of the infrastructure including DIDs and 911 implementation have slammed the industry. Read Vonage's IPO to better understand the 911 liability and cost. In a couple of cases I have consulted on, the local CO was not accessible by any CLEC, so no LNP, so no one to outsource the VOIP to. BOCs have learned that most consumers switch to VOIP for cost savings, so have lowered their costs. Plus cableco's have gotten into the game (and can do 911) and bundle on one bill. You can try to do it yourself (and Asterisk is a GREAT tool for this), but if you aren't a CLEC, how do you handle 911 and LNP? Now if you wanted to sell Hosted PBX to Businesses, that's valuable. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. Mark Koskenmaki wrote: I don't understand your point about selling on margins. I was merely asking for a wholesale product that was priced less than RETAIL. Nothing more, nothing less. I have yet to figure out how it is all the wholesale products are currently anywhere between 10 and 100% more than the current retail offerings. There's no margin in that, unless I'm supposed to subsidize VOIP service with my WISP revenue, which is the reverse notion of more revenue per customer. I didn't say I wanted a fat margin. I just said I wanted something I could bundle with my data service that didn't cost me more than retail to get, which is why I'm a bit taken back at the notion that wholesale costs more than retail. If that' whining, in your view, I'd say your view was a little strange. As best I can tell, the biggest costs for VOIP are the infrastructure and customer service.I merely wanted to make the unusual split of dealing with customer service myself, but farming out the infrastructure. Nobody seems to be interested in doing that, and I'm not sure why. Lots of ISP's are outsourcing customer service, and seemingly it has advantages, one would naturally assume this is true of the VOIP business, but, hey, maybe not. The infrastructure, as best I can tell, is the most cost effective to scale upwards, more so than customer service. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Article: Building a WISP
http://ezinearticles.com/?Building-a-Wireless-ISP-NetworkThe-Opportunityid=145737 -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] WISPA Membership
A. Principal Member. A Principal Member is a person or business that operates a wireless information service as defined in Section 1.2. Principal Members may have other types of business interests and still meet the criteria to be a Principal Member. Annual Payment of Dues: $250 Semi- Annual Payment of Dues: $135 Monthly Payment of Dues: $ 25 Credit Card or ACH only http://www.wispa.org/modules.php?op=modloadname=Newsfile=articlesid=26mode=threadorder=0thold=0 You don't have to pay it all at once. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] FCC Katrina Meeting / March 6
Released: 02/17/2006. FCC'S INDEPENDENT PANEL REVIEWING THE IMPACT OF HURRICANE KATRINA ON COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS ANNOUNCES NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2006 AT THE MISSISSIPPI E-CENTER AT JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI. (DA No. 06-371). EB. Contact: Lisa M. Fowlkes at (202) 418-7452 or Jean Ann Collins at (202) 418-2792. News Media Contact: Janice Wise at (202) 418-8165 http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-371A1.doc http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-371A1.pdf http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-371A1.txt Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] How to Add Revenue with Apps - Webinar
HyperOffice and RAD-INFO, Inc. will be offering a FREE webinar (web conference) about applications. Residential ISPs can increase stickiness with applications. Business ISPs can increase ARPU with apps. Spend an hour with us on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006 at 2 PM ET to learn how. Email me for registration. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm This message was reviewed and approved by the WISPA board for delivery to WISPA list server. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] taxes
Certainly, none of you should be surprised by this. He has to make up for a $1T short-fall at the same time Congress is trying to repeal the 3% Excise tax levied in the 1800s. All other forms of transport are taxed including cellular. Wait. DIDs for VOIP will be taxed before 3Q06. Too much money is going untaxed. Federal, state, and local governments are scrambling to make up the shortfalls. IPTV, VOIP, state-wide franchises, lower monthly phone bills, disappearing LD charges, untaxed internet sales, untaxed internet access -- it has to come from somewhere. But it smart to get in front of this and ask for something in return. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] taxes and ideas
Let me just add some ideas: 1) Follow what the DBS industry does: they get their customers involved in making noise to Congress. Mailers, email notices, website buttons, and online forms. I understand that ISPs do not like to involve their customers for fear that the customers will think you are dying and leave. If handled appropriately, this need not be a worry. II4A hired a lobbyist to write 7 template letters to be faxed to Congress (www.ii4a.org/letters/). 2) Making noise in DC is expensive and time consuming. And diplomacy is not something the ISP industry is noted for. You need bucks. Start with a PayPal donation button. Put it everywhere. Collect some dough to speak for the consumers who like their 3rd Pipe bandwidth. 3) Come up with a realistic plan for the taxes. The gov't wants money. Instead of saying NO TAXES, give them an alternative plan of action. How could they collect additional money? PLay the DC game of compromise. 4) WISPA needs money. May I suggest taking this General list and making it a subscription? Maybe $9.95 per month or $100 for the year? 5) You might want to set up a WISPA Meeting at ISPCON in May or at the ISP Expo in Dallas in June. (If you want help setting this up, let me know). Those are my double-caffeine inspired thoughts this morning. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] To Break the Law or Not to Break the Law...That is theQuestion
Why not set up a website on wispa.org that would collect the data - anonymously? Collect all the data they want through the organization and send them the database or the raw data. This would give those that did not want to follow the guidelines an alternative that the FCC may accept. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] ATT slashes DSL price under $15
The thinking is that everyone wants to do huge numbers. Well, reality is a whole other thing. Even if you could price it at $14.77, you still couldn't do the volume to make it. (The lack of advertising for one). Quick story: guy in Ky was selling DSl for $39.95, same as BST. He had 32 customers. It isn't the price (although I do understand about people taking 2 or 3 bids and picking the lowest price - happens every single day), it's about getting enough profitable customers to stay in business ... and then to grow your business... one profitable client at a time. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com/newsletter.htm -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] EarthLink Chooses Moto for Muni Wireless Networks
http://www.telecommagazine.com/techzones/services/article.asp?HH_ID=AR_1619 -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VOIP / CommPartners
CP has stopped selling Residential. Period. (That is what I was told). Regards, Peter Charles Wu wrote: Not to kick a dead horse here, but I heard the other day (from a WISP friend of mine) that Commpartners has stop installing WISP residential connections (due to E911 compliance issues) for the time being This sucks for him since he's already paid the $5k setup fee and his 1500+ wireless customers are all residential =( Can anyone verify this (right or wrong)? -Charles --- WiNOG Austin, TX March 13-15, 2006 http://www.winog.com -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Senate Commerce Committee
Thursday, March 2 10:00 AM Wireless Issues/Spectrum Reform - LIVE WEBCAST Full Committee Hearing http://commerce.senate.gov/ May be a re-write coming. Commerce Committee has lots of telecom hearings scheduled this quarter. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 or 985.240.4156 fax 305.675.6494 http://4isps.com -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VOIP - and rants
Tom, This huge thread about CP is amazing. If you don't want to use them, or don't like their business plan. Fine. It is the same plan that Level(3) has, so I don't understand the big deal. You seem really peeved about the initial fee. How is that any different than an install fee? There are 1200 VOIP Providers. Go get one and get rolling. Not all of them get your plan. Heck, many of them, don't get my business plan and view of the world, but that's life. I work with the ones that do - clients and vendors. About the volume buying: We (II4A - www.ii4a.org) spoke with CP and others about volume buying DSL, VOIP, DBS, etc. The billing is th key. No one (I have spoken with) wants to bill individual ISPs under a Volume umbrella. Most want to bill II4A and then II4A bills its members. Two problems: Billing is overhead that increases the cost of the service (by about $2 per bill). Collections and cash flow - you have 15 days to pay. How do you collect from all the coop members? What if a few can't or won't pay? It affects EVERYONE else's business. Deposits, automatic debit, ACH, etc. are a pain - and, since I know you despise initialation fees, would be a barrier to entry for the little guy. Those are the realities of volume buying that I have dealt with for 4 years. Maybe someone else can get around those issues. BTW, a little CYA: If I was in your market, competing against you and read your comments on blocking/prioritize, etc., I would use it in my marketing against you. It would only take a little push and it could knock you down. Trust me on this. People like controversy more than anything. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. 813-963-5884 -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] VOIP - 911
You do understand that as a voice provider, since the FCC deemed 911 a requirement, if your service is not 911 compliant and someone dies, you can be held crimiinally liable as well as civilly liable? Regards, Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Re: VOIP / CommPartners
Tom, You would be best to build it yourself or buy it from another WISP like Matt. (Or Lightyear). You are not going to find your described Partner. Vendors are usually not partners. I have dealt with many, many companies in the telecom space - and hardly any understand the word. VOIP Providers are still trying to figure out how to make money. Many sell both retail and wholesale - which leads you to the ILEC model of vendor/competitor. My comment about Voice not being data and CLEC failures: CLECs fail because they have a BOC business structure and processes without having the BOC monopoly. CLECs fail because they sell me-too products on price and the implementation is usually not smooth. (I don't care if it is the ILEC's fault - the customer perceives the problem as the CLEC). You can only blame the FCC for so much. How about DA/YP/WP? Do you know how many CLECs forgot that? Deploying VOIP is not like putting in a DSL modem and heading home. Extensions, LAN assesment, yadda da. But then you sold PCPBXs so you know all this. I think you missed the point about 20 subs or less being prohibitive. For an ISP, having a referral agent doing 20 subs is huge. For a national provider, 20 lines is a waste of time. Many companies would rather work with 25 companies that sell 100s than 2500 companies that sell 10. Even ISPs tell me they would rather have 100 subs making a $1 each than 2 subs making $50 each. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but this is how I have seen it over the last 5 years dealing with the industry. Regards, Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Re: VOIP / CommPartners
Tom, CP is not a middle man. CP is the VOIP CLEC providing the service. Someone like Reignmaker or another ISP would be the middle man. Actually, CP is using the L3 model. But to say that a Reseller does not present costs to the vendor is incorrect. Training for one. With CP you get to send up to 4 people to classes in Vegas. Most of the time/effort/energy is for the first couple of orders. No start-up wants to use that much $$ to get 20 lines going. And billing (and associated collections) does have costs as well. Plus I won't get into the fact that LNP and E-911 are hard to automate. The LNP is handed off to L3. But OSS inter-operability with the 4 BOCs, Sprint, Alltel/Valor, and the myriad of miscellaneous independent ILECs and CLEC is not an easy task for Voice service. And if you look at the space: 1200+ providing VOIP to the EU. About 300+ providing retail and wholesale. I've watched wholesalers go BK. Why do you think L3 got out of it? I'm not saying CP's strategy is the best. Just that I understand it and if that is there model. Great. I do see others following suit. On the flip side, DIY VOIP, while attractive to the hands-on people on this list, is not always the best method. And with LNP, E-911 and federal/state fee collections, why bother when you can buy turnkey? Like Doug MacDonald says: IF you can not build it faster, cheaper and better, then buy it - don't build it. Not to keep badgering, but if voice was so easy, why did so many CLECs collapse?? VOIP is not data at the EU space. They may get mad about email issues, but if dial-tone don't work, your name will be mud. Imagine having a decent network size, good reputation, happy customers. Then start offering VOIP and have a few unexpected issues like bad call quality, busy signals, dropped calls. Won't be long before people won't want your data product either. I take issue with the Commodity market. If you think it is a commodity market, you don't understand the value yourself, so your employees and customers don't either. Then you have to sell on price. You need to take a class with Gitomer. He'll fix that attitude. Also, remember, if you can prioritize your network for your preferred VOIP provider, you cannot fault the BOCs for doing the same to their network. Just me 2 cents. Peter Tom DeReggi wrote: I've recomended CommPartners many times to WISPs, as a good choice for someone thats willing to pay the upfront fee, as their QOS and Value is high compared to other offerings in the space. Sales team was very responsive. Technically they were very responsive as well and appeared to be solid. However, now that someone has responded to my original post, its got me thinking, and I have to vent a small rampage. I agree and understand your explanation, and Commpartner's intent. I just think its the wrong view to have. There is no need for resellers (middle men) in VOIP. It just creates billing/cashflow headaches for everyone involved, not to mention support issues. That problem was learned with the DSL model. With DSL it was justified because the cost to have a DS3 pipe to each small volume ISP provider just wasn't realistic. So it was a technology barrier and cost barrier that justified the middleman model that included resellers. In VOIP there is no value added by the middle man, to justify it. There are better way to motivate partners than to create barrier to entry. What it really does is just deter partnerships from ever happening. Big volume is made by having a lot of small partners that sell a little bit, rather than a few partners that sell a lot. It sends a message that Commpartners only wants to deal with the big fish, or our competitors (ILECS / Cable companies), and thats not what I call an allie. How much time does it really take for a wholesaler like Commpartners to deal with a small WISP doing low volume? Its an automated web portal to do business!!! The truth is, the $5000 fee is a way for CommPartners to cover it's sales people's commissions. Wholesalers need to put as many resellers on the street as they can, some work, some don't, and if there are enough out there trying, the odds are you'll also get the ones that are successful. Everyone has potential, its near impossible to know in advance which partners end up being the volume ones. All that should matter is if there is scenargy between the two partner companies, and a likely hood that their is a match in the vision of the two parties. If CommPartners can't cost justify partnerships with low volume WISPs, then it really means CommPartners is not yet at the stage where it is automated enough yet, or its operations are not yet efficient enough to handle a large number of partners. That exposes a weakness in CommPartners. Success in VOIP is a race to obtain subscribers. They should be taking on EVERY partner they can get their hands on. If they don't recognize that, I fear they may not be
Re: [WISPA] verizon fios pricing - VOIP / CommPartners
We deal with a couple of VOIP Providers that know Wireless is the way to go. The ILEC needs to be cut out of ever newly development network for sustainability. On a separate note, I rep CommPartners (CP), Primus and many others. I even have a CP Reseller WISPs can work with. CP's new plan is pricey, mainly because they are learning (like Broadview and others) that most of the VOIP Provider clients sell very few lines. The upfront costs is a barrier to entry. If you spend $5k for set-up and have a commitment to meet, you will be serious about selling VOIP. I'm sure you guys have resellers who sell one circuit a quarter. Happy New Year! News-letter http://www.rad-info.net/newsletters/00n123105.html Thank you. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 or 985.240.4156 fax 305.675.6494 http://4isps.com Tom DeReggi wrote: Commpartners is one of the popular ones, with lots to offer, but they are getting a little big for their britches charging $5000 setup fee. Nuvio, has a lot of programs that help you cover end user equipment. Primus, is happy wholesaling you a raw business line without PBX replacement/managed service. The list goes on. They all have positives and negatives, mostly related to billing methods. I'm not aware of any of them that embrase the residential phone service business wholesale. I want VOIP strictly for residential, and although they'll do it, they constantly are pushing you to promote/sell the managed business VOIP PBX services, to consider you a valuable partner, which isn't our focus for VOIP. Early on, there are less choices for Wholesale VOIP providers. However, I think VOIP providers will become a commodity sooner than later, with everyone on a broadcom platform offering the same plans and options. Right now, the wholesale VOIP providers still control the terms. I think Wireless providers on the other hand are the ones that should be able to control the shots eventually. We own the client and our local underserved markets. We get the VOIP providers into needy markets (rural/underserved/mobile) they will never have from DSL and Cable companies. Its my opinion as owners of the conduit to the subscriber we should be charging $5000 grand to accept the partnership not pay it. So we have been holding out for the right wholesale partner that sees our value and embrases the residential MTU and underserved VOIP markets. The clock is clicking though, so if they don't come soon, we will build ourselves. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] verizon fios pricing
Bob Moldashel wrote: Unfortunately...this is an uphill battle. You need to sell customers on services. DO NOT get into a pricing war with them. You WILL loose Yes..you will wind up with fewer customers. -B- It is not the number of subs, it is the number of PROFITABLE subs that count. Regards, Peter -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] verizon fios - Advertising Battle
That's the kind of Guerrilla Advertising YOU should be doing. Pizza boxes, etc. You might have to go with the old stand-by: Do you really want Internet from Your Phone Company? These people can't even get your bill straight. On Triple-Play: I think that this is a ME-TOO strategy. If you are chasing after Resi accounts, you might want to look at what the pricing is separately for them to buy the TV piece from cable and the rest from you. But Resi doesn't have much future in MSAs. Remember FiOS voice service has an 8 hour battery backup just like VOIP, so their E-911 won't work after a work day. Once the client gets FiOS, all copper is clipped - and they cannot ever use a CLEC again. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. 4isps.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ah but what about the new customer who is comparing FIOS to what I offer? FIOS will have tv and voip ( we do voip now but no tv ) Times are a changing and verizon is putting flyers on everything around boston, ma to promote FIOS, like pizza box's, dry cleaning slips etc Dan -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] verizon fios pricing - Triple Play
If you are going to be Resi, then get a DISH or DTV distributorship and sell them Your VoIP and your Internet and the DBS service. Won't be one bill, but it can be one call. Tom DeReggi wrote: Verizon has been advertising FIOS hard in our markets to, but its been over 6 month for some, since advertsied and no FIOS. FIOS is expensive to buildout, and they need a certain number of pre-signed up subscribers to do it. Its hard to convince people to get rif of their satelite and cabled TV. There is security in not being locked down to a signle provider for ALL services. I can see it now, someone gets behind on their phone bill, and all a sudden the TV gets turned off, the broadband gets turned off, and the PHONE. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] verizon fios pricing - Triple Play - Consumers
One bill. Yeah, some people like it. But if the combined services are less money, you can make a case for 2 bills. How can you make it easier for them to pay the bill??? Have you seen how hard VZ makes e-bill You need to market to your own customers. Stay in front of them. Let them know what else you sell. How do you increase ARPU or Referrals unless you are creatively in front of your clients??? On the flip side, if you don't want to do it, bring in a Strategic Partner. We specialize in great Networks and Internet; DISH is great at TV. Together you get the best package. If it is a MDU, talk to SMS about doing triple-play there. (Or call me). If you want to compete in Metros, you need to have a Marketing Plan and work it every day. You have to become a niche player or find a new way to make people look at the Internet. I have some ideas in every news-letter (www.rad-info.net/newsletters/). You don't have so many opportunities that you can let them go without a fight. Happy New Year! Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. Tom DeReggi wrote: One bill has a bigger impact than people think. In our residential MTUs, I've lost 30% of our MTU subscribers to triple play providers. The residenmtial client base has very little loyalty over a 5 dollars savings. I get the cancellation request AFTER they have transferred to their new service. A common response is, we loved your service and support, and the Cable companies was horrible through the hole process, but they won my business with a price I could not turn down. Learning after the fact of their intent to cancel and that they were not aware that I also offered a Double play that could offer near the same value proposition. I then try to get them to switch back, as its no more of a hassle to cancel the service they just installed than mine. I then offer them a better price than the cable company does for the bundled services. Customer then responds, but the Cable company will let me have all the services on one bill, and it just makes it easy. So my conclusion is they ahve a much higher value for their time than they do for mine. They'll give up my high quality support to save $5, but they won't take the time to write two checks and seal two envelopes, to save the $5 that I offer them. My point is consumers have a short memory, little loyalty, and modivated by saving money. In order to keep residential business, it does need consistent marketing to remind them you are there, and the services you offer. What we learned the hard way is that we can't be just a broadband provider, we also need to offer the other services, or our clients are talking to our competitors for the other services that we don't offer, attempting to steer them from using us for our core services also, without me knowing it is even happening. We can be competitive and compete on price, when we know that we need to. If we play in the residential markets, we are all going to have to offer double or triple play. I don't want to be a TV provider or a Phone company, But I don't have a choice. The market is making me change my business model. I either join the current trends, or I lose clients. The question is does an ISP only want to have the opportunity to serve the underserved? I can keep customers with no other options all day long, but thats a cowardly way to go about a business. I want to be able to compete in served markets. I don't need to win everyones business, and I don't need majority market share, I'm satisfied with my 1%. But I need to be able to offer enough value to enough people to justify that percentage of the population to chose me over the competition and choices they have. If that can be done, my company has value, and survivabilty regardless of what competition comes to town. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Triple Play
To quote a DBS guy: The Broadcast TV market is static, at this point, everyone is competing for everyone else's dollars. And at the same time, the networks are releasing shows for download. How much longer before most of the TV shows are downloadable? What happens to broadcast TV then??? Triple Play is great in an MDU/MTU environment. But stand alone to individual resi units seems like it would be more trouble than it could be worth except in a rural market that you could capture because the cableco or ILEC didn't. My 25 cents worth before I head out for New Year's! Best wishes, Peter @ RAD-INFO (4isps.com) -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] Vivato
December 16, 2005 – Vivato, Inc. announced today that it has made the decision to cease to operate as a going concern, and to wind down its operations. This difficult decision was deemed by Vivato to be in the best interest of creditors, shareholders and customers, based upon the Company’s projection of its future results. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Merry Christmas folks
Mac, Great sentiments! Just a thought as we enter this season: Write down what you want to accomplish in 2006. Be specific. Set dates. Share this list with a person or two. Look at twice each day. You will be amazed at what you can achieve. Happy Holidays! Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. your telecom circuit source sales marketing adviser 813.963.5884 -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
[WISPA] BellSouth and Wi-Fi
http://www.telecomweb.com/news/1134594567.htm Post Katrina: Mississippi Gets Wireless Broadband BellSouth has begun deploying high-speed wireless broadband speeds as fast as 1.5 Gb/s in Gulfport and Biloxi, Miss., modifying the company's original wireless broadband rollout plans in order to get service to residents of the hurricane-ravaged area, where the infrastructure damage is so huge it hasn't been fixed yet. The incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC), whose original rollout plans envisioned only offering wide-area wireless broadband in rural areas, is also offering residents of the Mississippi towns a bit of a discount out of sympathy for their plight - and, of course, the good publicity it might get out of the move. Small businesses and homeowners are still rebuilding, and they are looking to BellSouth to provide the critical communications they need to get their lives in order, says John McCullouch, president of BellSouth's Mississippi operations. Our wireless broadband service will provide customers with a viable and economical solution for high-speed Internet access. A BellSouth spokeswoman added that, after blanketing the hurricane-hit cities, the carrier will now return to our original strategy of (offering wireless broadband in) areas from suburbia on out, where such services as DSL can't be delivered economically. About a month ago, BellSouth began offering a high-speed wireless service in downtown New Orleans, but that was priced as a small-business service only. It was absolutely critical to getting the city up and running, the BellSouth spokeswoman explained, regarding the decision not to offer a residential plan. One thing BellSouth is not offering the Mississippi residents, however, is voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) on its shiny, new, wireless broadband. The company had no explanation of why, other than the simple fact that it's not going to offer it for now. For more on BellSouth's wireless rollout progress in the Gulf area, read the current issue of Broadband Business Forecast. For a trial subscription, go to http://www.telecomweb.com/cgi/catalog/info?BNN. Thank you. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 or 985.240.4156 fax 305.675.6494 http://4isps.com -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] INSURANCE
Brian Rohrbacher wrote: Would he give WISPA a good rate? Anyone interested could get quotes and maybe he could cut us a break? I want this trade association to get some members services so people have a reason to join. With added services comes members and money. With members and money comes pull at the FCC level. Then we get good stuff from the FCC and WISPs rule the world. *Right Brain* Lets do what we can to get more Principal Members. Marlon K. Schafer (509) 982-2181 wrote: You would think it would work that way, but Volume Buying ends up eating the organization and the organization becomes caught up in being a volume club. Regards, Peter 4isps.com -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
