IP: US Wireless Online

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>
>
>
> US Wireless Online
>
> Meet yet another riff on the rapidly-expanding 802.11 ISP business plan. 
> This one, operating in six U.S. states, in a wireless metropolitan area 
> network (WMAN).
>
> by Patricia Fusco
> Managing Editor ISP-Planet
> [January 17, 2002]
> <http://isp-planet.com/fixed_wireless/business/2002/us_wireless_online.html>
>
> US Wireless Online is a high-speed Internet access provider that utilizes 
> emerging 802.11x technology for its wireless local area network (WLAN) 
> deployments nationwide. From its base of operations in Atlanta, US 
> Wireless Online owns and operates wireless metro area networks (MANs) in 
> Kentucky, Georgia, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana.
>
> Since the company signed up its first customer in 18-months ago, US 
> Wireless Online has deployed 82 cell sites that distribute its metro area 
> bandwidth to more than 610 access points (APs), which in turn deliver 
> high-speed Internet access to approximately 34,000 broadband users.
>
> US Wireless Online delivers high-speed Internet connectivity across 
> unlicensed spectrum operating on the 2.4 and 5.8Ghz bands. The company 
> places small but powerful transmit/receive antennas on building rooftops 
> or towers and beams a widespread signal toward zoned commercial and 
> industrial areas. If a user's establishment is "painted" by this beam, the 
> customer need only affix a small, palm-sized antenna to an interior window 
> or on their own rooftop to pick up US Wireless Online's signal.
>
> US Wireless Online's Network Operations Center (NOC) is located in 
> Louisville, Kentucky. The NOC is a carrier grade facility with triple 
> redundant power grids, Kidde and Grinnell oxygen-depleting fire 
> suppression systems, and industrial grade Liebert UPS for backup power. 
> Network architecture includes 6 VA Linux, 21 Compaq and 25 IBM NetFinity 
> servers that add up to about 1 terabyte of capacity.
>
> We're wherever you are
> The company has worked in almost every environment imaginable. From large, 
> distribution centers to sprawling college campuses and even quiet coffee 
> shops. But one feature is inherent to any US Wireless Online system; 
> wireless connectivity is always compatible with its specific environment.
>
> Todd Copenhaver, US Wireless Online vice-president of sales, said the 
> company provider three different layers of wireless broadband services.
>
> "First, we deliver Internet services directly to clients, but our service 
> area is restricted to where we have branch offices," Copenhaver said. 
> "Second, we build wireless systems for businesses and ISPs anywhere in the 
> country. And third, we deliver roaming service networks in a campus design 
> that is capable of handling an exponential increase in users."
>
> Fresh from a very successful debut of a massive system in Chicago, 
> Copenhaver said the key to the company's recent success lies more in 
> exposing broadband-less geographic areas to high-speed wireless access. 
> New clients include conventional wired ISPs, local government agencies, 
> and public utility corporations.
>
> "We'll help any ISP that doesn't want to go through a DSL franchise or 
> build a cable network from square one," Copenhaver said. "All they have to 
> do is present us with a viable business plan, and we're there."
>
> ISPs that want to break into the wireless access market, without breaking 
> the bank, pay US Wireless Online a small fee to get the ball rolling after 
> their business plan has been accepted.
>
> "We come in and survey the geographic area and then we build the 
> infrastructure," Copenhaver explained. "We find a single high point for 
> access to deliver a fixed wireless backbone to the area. "We deliver the 
> bandwidth, allowing the client to spray the area with their broadcast," he 
> continued. "The client providers the customer premise equipment (CPE) to 
> the end user and handles the customers and the sales side of the mix. They 
> even do the billing. We own and manage their infrastructure for them."
>
> US Wireless Online also negotiates all the bandwidth costs before 
> installing its gear, which it won't charge your ISP for, either. 
> Copenhaver said the company tries to keep start-up costs as low as possible.
>
> <snip>

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