Items needed for WISP

[JohanHammy]

I was looking at starting up a Wireless Internet Service Provider. Here are the things that I think I need. If anyone can think of any more, let me know. Also let me know if this is it.

T-1(s)
CSU\DSU per T-1
Router (more depending on number of CSU\DSUs per router)
DNS\DHCP server
POP3\SMTP server
FTP server for user web pages
wireless link to distribution sites
wireless link from remote sites to user
Administration server (billing, etc.)

 

[Soybomb]

the networking forum would have been more helpful most likely btw

you've forgotten some important things though. Anyone can buy a bundle of wireless gear, but can you make it work? Do you have tower space lined up? How many other wisps's are in the area? Will you be able to get enough customers taking into account your towers? Are you going to be installing the radio gear for your customers? Are you comfortable climbing up on someones roof? Are you insured incase you damage the rubber roof or tear a shingle off? Have you thoroughly investigated the installation problems (you'd know to make a drip loop for example)?

A wisp sounds cool, but its alot of hard work that takes alot of skills and planning, just be sure you're ready to devote yourself.

 

[JohanHammy]

I have my own tower to start off with. I know of where I can get a couple more locations. They aren't the best, but I can fall back to them if I can't get something better. There is tha main local ISP that has Wireless access, but they have 1 POP with a 3mi range. The products I am looking at have a 20mi range. They cater to only businesses. There is another WISP in the next county, but that is marginally better than our local and it out of my coverage area. My friend and I who are poineering this project aren't afraid of climbing anything. The tower I have is a 105' tower (well, grain elevator) and I have climbed it a few times, so a roof isn't much of anything. I haven't pursued any insurance or anything yet cause I wanna make sure that I can technically pursue it first. I forget my main reason for posting it in this section, but I can see why my post would belong in the networking section. My idea belonged here, but somehow it didn't make it to the keyboard.

What exactly does a router do. I know I need one, but I dunno what it does. Same with a CSU\DSU.

 

[Soybomb]

Originally posted by: JohanHammy
I have my own tower to start off with. I know of where I can get a couple more locations. They aren't the best, but I can fall back to them if I can't get something better. There is tha main local ISP that has Wireless access, but they have 1 POP with a 3mi range. The products I am looking at have a 20mi range. They cater to only businesses. There is another WISP in the next county, but that is marginally better than our local and it out of my coverage area. My friend and I who are poineering this project aren't afraid of climbing anything. The tower I have is a 105' tower (well, grain elevator) and I have climbed it a few times, so a roof isn't much of anything. I haven't pursued any insurance or anything yet cause I wanna make sure that I can technically pursue it first. I forget my main reason for posting it in this section, but I can see why my post would belong in the networking section. My idea belonged here, but somehow it didn't make it to the keyboard.

What exactly does a router do. I know I need one, but I dunno what it does. Same with a CSU\DSU.

20 mile range is great but remember if you're doing 802.11b stuff, thats pretty much line of sight. one tree or building might block your signal. This is a major problem to take into consideration when you're looking at getting started. If someone already has an established wisp things are going to be even harder too. No offense meant either but if you're asking what a router or a csu is then it might be best to get a job somewhere helping on someones network to get some experience before heading out on your own. When people are without internet access and they pay you for it they get angry! Go to the dslreports.com WISP forums and read up there. Alot of wisp owners frequent there and can give you good advice too

 

[davesaudio]

don't ytou need spectrum licences etc?

 

[JohanHammy]

Not for things using 802.11a or 802.11b. There are spectrums out there that require licenses. I do believe that they deliver higher speeds, but at a higer cost (well, you can't get much lower than free.)

 

[capybara]

Originally posted by: davesaudio
don't ytou need spectrum licences etc?

imho, pls research the facts here. 802.11 is free of licensing at a low output. that doesnt means you can buy the gear and put out enough power for a 20 mile radius without
several licenses. cable tv commision, common carrier, fcc, etc all may want to tax
and license. but great idea here, dont be discouraged, it seems do-able,
ps>>>i once had a cable tv license, the p aperwork took months. and part of the licensing process is proof of workmans comp insurance , $1.5 million liability insurance,
being listed as an employer with state and fed tax agencies, in short, a file-cabinet full of paperwork. BUT IT IS DO-ABLE = i know, i did it.

 

[JohanHammy]

I am aware of all kinds of other business paper work I need. I was under the assumption that I could use up to 36db of total gain.

 

[capybara]

another dbl post deleted!

 

[capybara]

sir; YES, DB measuresures gain, but compared to what?
all licensing imho
requires you to state dbm or dbW radiated, dbm or dbw
received at all locations in your reception area. So have your contacted any of the liscening authorities, or do you just going to assume their approval is unnecessary? I mean if you can radiate enough 5 ghz to interfere with your neighbors using 802.11 , if there is no licensing
they can bump up their power to interefere with u 2. that is why licensing is req.

 

[JohanHammy]

I forgot what watt output the 36db was at. I have a link somewhere about it. Isn't that the point of the unlicensed spectrum that contains 802.11b and 802.11g? If using properly constructed antenna and radios, interference to other bands should not be a problem. I am assuming the FCC did their part by only authorizing equipment that didn't produce harmonics. I was going to assume that by running commercially available 802.11b (and 802.11a) products that I would be in the clear.