IP: Metro Wireless Obstacles

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>
>
> Metro Wireless Obstacles
>
> Members of the ISP-Wireless list share stories about difficulties they 
> have faced, both physical and financial, when rolling out Wi-Fi networks 
> in urban areas. The consensus seems to be that residential service is 
> tough if there's DSL or cable competition.
>
> [February 11, 2002]
> <http://isp-planet.com/fixed_wireless/business/2002/urban_bol.html>
>
> On the ISP-Wireless list in January, RW asked,
>
> "I'm interested in hearing from any WISPs that are serving residential 
> customers in an urban environment. What are the challenges?"
>
> JD suggested that what's most important is line of sight:
>
> "Line of sight is the key. If you can get line of sight, then you won't 
> have any problems. Place your POPs strategically so that you can get the 
> best possible LOS coverage to the most rooftops, and always keep those 
> trees in mindŠ"
>
> Others said it's all about hard work and creative thinking:
>
> [RE advised] "Forget NLOS: just give yourself several options. The trick 
> to being able to support a residential WISP in the city is to be extremely 
> flexible. Sometimes you will use one type of antenna, sometimes another. 
> Horizontal today, vertical tomorrow. Sometimes this tower, sometimes that 
> tower with an amp. Just don't try to have a fixed install plan: handle 
> every case as an individual. "
>
> [AM agreed] "As someone who has pretty much failed at the kind of service 
> you describe (but succeeded at business service), I can give some advice 
> on what not to do: Don't charge $999 for installs, as I do. Don't expect 
> trees to be a surmountable problem. Don't expect NLOS to work as 
> advertised: innovate new ways to get LOS instead. Don't try to compete on 
> price with DSL or cable. In my opinion, you're going to have to work very 
> hard to pull this off and make money. "
>
> -End

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