George,
Just a few brief responses and ideas (I'm getting ready to go flying
across the country again).
1. Design - Yes, local WISPs must be allowed to participate in the
network design for the reason you mention. Spectrum must be managed to
avoid both interfering with the WISPs operation and to avoid the WISP
interfering with the muni network. One area of cooperation is to have
the WISP backhaul the muni access points.
2. The muni network should never promise "free" access for everyone
(residential and business). The muni access should be limited to public
areas, visitor use, and (possibly) as a backup (not primary)
communications media for public safety workers in times of emergency.
Muni networks (IMHO) should not be used to try to replace traditional
business Internet access which for-profit ISPs and WISPs are already
supplying.
3. WISPs must take the lead in educating their cities government
officials about how wireless really works and the limitations of muni
networks that the mesh equipment vendors avoid mentioning (like
interference with existing wireless networks, self-interference from too
many omnis on every corner, limited throughput capability, etc.). WISPs
who just wait for the muni network to fail (and fail they will) are
asking to be put out of business by well-meaning but
wirelessly-uneducated City officials and IT personnel.
WISPs must do their best to play a positive role or risk loss of their
business. When cities and WISPs both lose, guess who wins???
AT&T wins and we all know that is not a fair, just, or beneficial
outcome for anybody but AT&T.
jack
George wrote:
I am doubting that wisps can actually accomadate the muni in most
situations, unless they are closely involved with the design of the
network, Talking spectrum use here.
As for going along with free muni wifi, How is a wisp going to operate
if a muni is offering for free or at cut rate pricing?
And how are they going to expand if the spectrum is used up all over the
place with unlicensed omni's on every corner.
George
Jack Unger wrote:
Unfortunately, this may be one of the first of many such muni problems
that I've been forcasting for years. Muni wireless can be done
correctly and WISPs (IMHO) should always try (when allowed) to play a
positive role in proper network design and operation however most muni
networks are incorrectly designed by people with limited wireless
experience (yes, that even includes some mesh network vendors) which
will lead to network failure, waste of taxpayer money, and possible
loss of jobs on the part of the city IT folks (not to mention the
elected officials) who backed the networks without first learning
about how wireless technology really works.
jack
George wrote:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060424/ap_on_hi_te/muni_wi_fi_hiccups
I am not a fan of muni wireless.
George
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Jack Unger ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) - President, Ask-Wi.Com, Inc.
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