> A lot of people mention using DSL instead of a T1. Rule #1- If your business model doesn't work for full price T1s, ($600 per mon), don't get involved in providing service. In the long run, You'll go crazy trying to support a WISP on a DSL connection. Not from a speed perspective, but from a uptime, SLA point of view. Don't misunderstand me, there are many small community type network WISPs that started out offering services on a DSL connection, to save some bucks, while the customer base was getting built, or while RF R&D was getting done. And very well may be a good idea starting out. But charge upfront based on what it would cost if you were paying the T1 cost. If the area really needs service, people will pay, even if its a community network. If they won't there is not enough demand for the service in that area. Its easier to be realistic on the potential costs, and get revenue while building it to recoupe your costs, than underestimate and try and raise prices later.
Tom DeReggi RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband ----- Original Message ----- From: "Japhy Bartlett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org> Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 12:33 PM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Feasibility of a "non-profit" WISP > I've gotten a couple private responses to this thread, so I'd like to > throw out a few more things: > > The overwhelming advice though, seems to be to avoid mesh. ( Also, > Tony Morella of demarctech pointed out that I misunderstood the olsrd > literature.. sheesh. ) > > So, I'm basically working in a pretty dense, suburban/urban area, > sitting in a valley. From where I'm typing, I've basically got clear > LoS to the major areas I'm trying to cover, maybe 20 square miles. My > logic was that to provide consistent coverage over all of it, I'd need > 3 or 4 overlapping APs.. which seems ideal for a mesh setup. > > If I'm using a dual radio backhaul/AP setup, am I going to get > interference between the units? > > What's the difference between WDS and mesh? > > A few people have mentioned that the standard for free access is to > have users pass through a portal with some sort of legal disclaimer. > Is there actually any legal precedent for suing a hotspot provider > over the actions of a user? I guess I'm just being naive, but that > seems.. silly. > > Regarding CALEA - I understand recording VoIP for the authorities, but > what are your responsibilities before you receive s request for that? > Just to have the tools in place? > > A lot of people mention using DSL instead of a T1. There is a very > large international corporation headquartered here, renting their > internet T1s for $20/mo (!!!). Most likely, as a service to the > community, they'll be able to negotiate a similar price for me. At a > rate that low, it just makes a lot of sense, but I am getting quotes > from the DSL providers. > > On Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 8:05 PM, Chuck McCown - 2 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: >> My question for you is "why"? 100 users are enough to be a headache and >> use >> up all your free time but not enough to even pay you for your time or >> investment. > > (Did I mention I'm writing a grant proposal for this? Cue the strings :) > > It's not really about money. As a state, Michigan is fighting to keep > people from moving away, and as a city Benton Harbor is struggling to > retain or attract the kind of talented people that can sustain some > sort of economy. In the meantime, most of our citizens are > poor/unemployed and uneducated. Providing internet access is a good > way (imho) to at least open some doors for them, and put another > bullet point in the list of reasons to come visit/live. > > > Anyhow, thanks a ton for putting up with stupid questions. The advice > from this list is invaluable. > > Japhy > > >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Japhy Bartlett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org> >> Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 5:44 PM >> Subject: [WISPA] Feasibility of a "non-profit" WISP >> >> >> > Hi all- >> > >> > I'm finishing up a grant proposal to build a wireless network for a >> > smallish (2 sq. mile) neighborhood. My only real experience is having >> > read this mailing list for a year or so, and independently researching >> > via the internet, so I'm hoping some of you veterans can offer some >> > insight before I get in too deep! >> > >> > The basic, mile-high premise is to build a 2.4ghz mesh network, using >> > Linux, or at least Open Source Software, wherever possible. I'm >> > pretty comfy with Linux, and it seems like the route a non-profit >> > should take. >> > >> > Since the idea is to be providing access not only to locals, but also >> > to people visiting (it's a mixed commercial/residential area), >> > sticking to the 802.11b/g protocol seems like a good way to make sure >> > strangers can get on with whatever gear they've already got. >> > >> > Specifically, I'm looking at gear that would run olsrd >> > (http://olsr.org); more specifically, demarctech.com's RWR HPG units >> > (https://www.demarctech.com/products/reliawave-rwr/rwr-hpg-15a.htm). >> > >> > The "business" model is to offer capped speeds for free, and uncapped >> > speeds to subscribers. So, presumably I'm going to need to do some >> > traffic shaping. >> > >> > the RWR unit lists both "OLSRD Mesh" and "Bi-Directional Traffic >> > Shaping with QoS (VoIP) via IP or MAC" , so it would seem to be ideal! >> > But how do those features play together? Can I assume that the unit >> > is running some sort of *nix with a shell? More importantly, am I >> > going to be able to script something that will link the traffic shaper >> > with a database of MAC Addresses? (Or script something to assign IP >> > address subgroups based on MAC!) >> > >> > Anybody ever done this before, or have a better solution for a tiered >> > network? >> > >> > I'm estimating that we'll have 100 users tops. A while back I looked >> > up ratios and figured that a T1 would probably be enough bandwidth for >> > something that size, but what else do I need in my NOC? Can I get by >> > with a Linux box, or do I need a heavy-duty router? >> > >> > I suppose a lot of this is best answered by the vendor, but it's nice >> > to hear from someone who isn't simultaneously trying to sell you >> > something. Any criticisms/anecdotes/advice are greatly appreciated! >> > Who's going to sue me and for what?! >> > >> > Cheers, >> > >> > Japhy >> > >> > Benton Harbor, MI >> > >> > >> >> >> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> > WISPA Wants You! Join today! >> > http://signup.wispa.org/ >> > >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> > >> > WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >> > >> > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >> > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >> > >> > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >> > >> >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> WISPA Wants You! 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