InterceptRadio.com Forums

There are many WiFi and rural Fixed Wirleless Networks (WiSPs) in the Pacific Northwest. Many of the local municipalities leverage the fiber backbone of NOAANet, install their own fiber rings, use fiber-ethernet switch(es)and then extend the fiber capacity to rural areas using Fixed Wireless Network backhaul to rural areas. As many Pacific Northwesterners know there are many innovative self starters in the rural areas. Okanagon, Chelan, Douglas Counties are some examples of innovative projects taking place right now (and for some time). Regarding BPL, I am sure everyone has read the different flavors of BPL, and it really depends on the application and inteference concerns of regional and local areas. For the least interference, we should take the recommendations of the ARRL - they have carefully reviewed the different technologies. There is a movement to look at wireless remote medical monitoring technologies for Aged persons and disabled in remote areas. Felix

KC - Every WiSP equipment supplier provides starter kits and demo kits for folks interested in WiSP business. I am partial to Motorola and here is a quick rundown (Rick may offer advice on other manufacturers and their approaches):

Demo Kits:
--Motorola provide "Canopy Demo Kits" kit in all MHz/Ghz flavor. Since you may live in forested area here is equipment for 900 MHz Demo Kit:

900 MHz Connectorized Demo Kit (Intl Power Supply)
900 MHz Subcriber module (Connectorized), 2 included
900 Mhz Access Point (Connectorized), 1 included
900 MHz 60 degree 9 dBi antenna,3 included
Accessorires
ACPSSW-02 International Power Supply,3 included
CBL-0562 Straight Through CAT-5 Cable,3 included
Trial Kit Quick Start Guide,1 included
General Canopy Overview ,1 included
Technical Overview, 1 included
Canopy User Guide, 1 included


Starter Kits
You can get actual Starter Kits in all the standard flavors of GHz/MHz. Folks like Rich or other guys on this Forum who are familiar with your terrain can help you select the right flavor. If need, the Motorola Canopy team can do a "Link Estimator" for you according to the topology of the area. Stater Kits include:
900 MHz Connectorized Access Point Cluster Kit
900 Subscriber Modules (Connectorized),20 included
900 MHz Access Points, (Connectorized),3 included
900 MHz 60 degree 9 dBi antenna,23 included
Accessories,
1070CK 1 included
SMMB2 20 included
300SS 21 included
Quick Start Guide,1 included
Canopy User Guide, 1 included

For all of the above, I did not post prices out of respect for Rich and this Intercept Northwest Forum; unless it is ok to post prices, but doing a Home Brew WISP "commercial grade" is definitely possible. To be fair, there are other alternatives on market.

Good WiFI Hunting!
FLX

Thank you, good information.

KC - Please see below what I found on the FCC website. However, please note that some rural states aretnot too warm and fuzzy with the Federal RUS programs. But take a look because this might fit with your desire to learn about WiSP and get funding. Perhaps tie it into rural telemedicene. FLX

USDA ANNOUNCES $20 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2006- Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr today announced the availability of $20 million in grants to rural communities to strengthen distance learning and telemedicine programs in rural America.

"The specialized health care and enhanced educational opportunities brought by modern technologies saves lives and promotes opportunities essential to the advancement of rural areas," said Dorr. "USDA Rural Development's funding for distance learning and telemedicine will help to bring technology into rural America to build strong and vibrant communities."

Telemedicine technology makes it possible for doctors to examine and direct the treatment of patients without being physically present. The distance learning program finances equipment to expand educational resources to students and educational institutions in isolated rural areas. Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, over $177 million has been invested in local distance learning and telemedicine programs, allowing 3,635 rural educational facilities to expand their access to modern telecommunications technology, and 1,650 health care institutions to develop technologies needed to enhance local medical care.

Applications for the $20 million in grants must be received by June 12, 2006 and will compete nationally for funding. View http://www.rurdev.usda.gov for additional information on the distance learning and telemedicine program.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $63 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. As a result, over 1.1 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

Release No. 0127.06
Contact:
Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623
Vicki Ritterling (202) 690-0498

Good deal. However, I won't be over to Republic until right around the deadline. And then I still need to research the feasabilty of it, if someone else is setting up a WiSP, what the compitition is (if there is DSL/ Cable in the area and where that service ends), I live in probably one of the last areas w/o cable, and to far away for dsl. The phone Co was upgrading the line up to about 2 miles away, which would be close enough for dsl, but when they switch it on, I won't be over here. If there is to much compitition in the town, then I will look at the outlying areas, of course. The way wireless everything is going, and with WiMAX just around the corner... I need to complete some research first to determine if it would be feasable.

KC - THere might be a PUD in your area of East Pierce County near Tacoma who is aleady offering Wireless IP access. Or there may be a WISP provider in the rural areas. I know some guys up there and will ask around for you. Have a good Easter. FLX

Two systems (south central WA and north central OR) have already cashed in on USDA grants. One of them is mentioned here:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/wa/news_rele ... 508.03.pdf

Rich - interesting article. I did some research and one guy such as KC can start a small WiSP with about $15K-$20K which gets one Access Point in commercial grade of Motorola Canopy Access Point. Each Access Point provides service for 200 subcribers in Line of Sight. The Access Point in Line of Sight is at 5.7 GHz. Also read that Motorola to buy Orthogon. See Business Week article.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financia ... wn&chan=tc

Motorola buying Orthogon Systems
Published April 19, 2006, Chicago Tribune

Motorola Inc. said it will buy Orthogon Systems to add wireless connection systems for Internet access. Terms of the purchase of closely held Ashburton, England-based Orthogon weren't disclosed. Schaumburg-based Motorola, which is trying to expand its wireless business, has a minority equity investment in Orthogon and has been a distributor since 2004. Orthogon has installed thousands of wireless links in 53 countries.

When I move I think I'm going to grab a Verizon 'Air Card' for a connection. They seem to be the only cell provider around Republic. Kinda steep, about $60/Mo for 80Kbps. But on the other hand, I'll always have a connection wherever I'm at, or at least where there is a Verizon signal. Sprint, Cingular, T-Mobile are not in that area. My Tracfone got about two bars as I was leaving to the south of town. I'm not even going to try to reley on sniffing out someones WiFi up there.

Trust Motorola to ruin another company

_________________
I generate Board Warnings

I heard Motorola Canopy is coming out with a "licensed" frequency for their backhauls. This is a big deal because many organizations with critical data prefer the licensed frequences.

Yep. Thats why they buy DragonWave.

Rich - do you know what frequency or frequencies?

11, 13, 15, 18, 23, 24, 26, and 28 ghz