I realize that others have chimed in with respect to performance, I wanted to officially weigh in on this post with respect to pricing for the BreezeACCESS VL product line.
The lowest cost way for a WISP to access BreezeACCESS VL is via the AlvarionCOMNET cooperative program. This program does require some level of quarterly quantity commitment, but that commitment is very low. The lowest commitment level is only 10 CPE per quarter and that 10 units can be made of any combination of 5.3, 5.4 and/or 5.8 GHz CPE. At that level the price per CPE is only $399 and that includes a full integrated unit with built-in 19 dBi antenna and the 20-meter shielded outdoor PoE cable. There is no need with these units to buy reflectors since the included antenna is already high gain. These units also include hardware-based AES (meaning AES can be activated with almost no hit to capacity, unlike those versions that only enable software-based AES and even that comes as an add-on cost). These units also have "Alvarion only" type advanced features like per CPE distance learning (the AU talks to each CPE at a different power level, enough to maintain the desired performance), adjustable noise floor setting, 3rd generation MIR/CIR and tons of other features that have been listed on this list before. While commitments can be any number 10 or higher, additional price breaks trip per the following levels: Minimum 25 units/quarter: $349 Minimum 50 units/quarter: $325 Minimum 100 units/quarter: $299 Minimum 300 units/quarter: $275 Also, if one signs at any number 25 of higher per quarter we give a signing incentive bonus of your choice of either: - 10 free capacity upgrades for CPE ($1,750 value) - One free upgrade to convert an AUS (I'll explain what that is in a moment) to a full AU (MSRP $3,300) - One free WLP VoIP optimization software upgrade (works on the AU and supports all associated CPE to that AU) (MSRP $2,395) These choices are offered with only a 25 unit commitment and if one signs at 50 then the choices doubles, at 100 the choices quadruple, etc., so basically each 25 brings another free choice. The freebies are also given to members upon referral of another WISP into the program. Also, the AlvarionCOMNET program provides for very low cost capacity upgrades for CPE that can be purchased at any time and in any quantity. An upgrade from 3 Mbps 1 MAC (3 Mbps net down/2 Mbps net up) to a 6 Mbps full bridge (6 Mbps net down/ 4 Mbps up) is a fixed $175. An upgrade that can take a 6 Mbps unit to a 54 Mbps (32 Mbps net) unit is a fixed $250. In order to understand the savings there, consider that a 54 Mbps CPE is typically $1,995 retail. Through the program the maximum would be $824 ($399 + $175 + $250). The idea here is that you do not have to pay for more capacity unless you need it and the subscriber is willing to pay for it. Additionally, the program has mechanisms that create further price reductions based on the collective volume of the entire cooperative (the entire set of all member CPE shipped each quarter). The additional discounts are automatic and are tripped at various levels. I should note also that no billing occurs until the CPE ships each quarter, so there is no advance payment required. When your ship date pops up each quarter (a date you set), then the units are drop shipped directly to you and the billing happens at that point. So what about infrastructure (the AU side)? These units are not part of the program and are purchased normally through your selected AlvarionCOMNET VAR and at any time per your need. There are two types of AUs. The full AU supports all capacity versions of CPE. AUs ship with your choice of sector antenna and they provide net throughput of 32 Mbps (ftp) at the highest modulation. This unit retails for about $5k and the discount you can expect is something you should inquire about with your VAR. The second AU option is called an AUS and it is designed for more rural markets. The AUS retails for about $2,500 and it supports up to 25 CPE and can connect to 3 and 6 Mbps CPE versions. It provides the same net capacity as the regular AU. At anytime one can upgrade an AUS to a full AU, at which time it will support also the 54 Mbps CPEs and whatever quantity of CPE the sector and your service model supports (we have some customers with over 200 CPE on such an AU). The program also has a few other modest benefits which can be explained one on one. Rick, et al, I hope this provides the information you were looking for at least on the from end price side of the equation. Let me know offlist if you need more or would like to be referred to an AlvarionCOMNET partner for more details. Regards, Patrick Leary AVP, Market Development Alvarion, Inc. o: 650.314.2628 c: 760.580.0080 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ---- From: "Smith, Rick" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: WISPA General List <wireless@wispa.org>; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2007 9:54:54 AM Subject: [WISPA] Alvarion VL TRUTH I need to hear from a WISP that's BOUGHT and USES Alvarion VL equipment. I need to hear real world pricing info, quantities, etc. If anyone can hit me off list, I'd like to throw a few emails back and forth. I'm wondering if my little town coverage project, which was going to be all cheap wifi equipment, would be better served by using VL as the backbone / heavy customer equipment. Got some other wonders... ************************************************************************************ This footnote confirms that this email message has been scanned by PineApp Mail-SeCure for the presence of malicious code, vandals & computer viruses(84). ************************************************************************************ ************************************************************************************ This footnote confirms that this email message has been scanned by PineApp Mail-SeCure for the presence of malicious code, vandals & computer viruses. ************************************************************************************ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! 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