The Opportunity of The Opportunity of WISP’sWISP’s

Mark LevetzowMark Levetzow

TopicsTopics

WISP’s and how they workWISP’s and how they work IEEE standards and radio frequency.IEEE standards and radio frequency. EquipmentEquipment Good/Bad points about WISP’sGood/Bad points about WISP’s Do’s and Don’tsDo’s and Don’ts WiMAXWiMAX

What is a WISP?What is a WISP?

Wireless Internet Service ProviderWireless Internet Service Provider Offers high speed Internet access to rural Offers high speed Internet access to rural

areas that cable ISP’s don’t cover.areas that cable ISP’s don’t cover. Types include, Hotspots, point-to-point, Types include, Hotspots, point-to-point,

and point-to-multipoint.and point-to-multipoint. Travel over access points via radio Travel over access points via radio

frequency.frequency.

How a WISP worksHow a WISP works

A connection to an ISP. Type of A connection to an ISP. Type of connection up to what company provides, connection up to what company provides, and/or what WISP desires.and/or what WISP desires.

Connection to a router.Connection to a router. Router connects to radio box, which Router connects to radio box, which

sends signal out antennae, and sends signal out antennae, and broadcasts outward.broadcasts outward.

HotspotsHotspots

One access pointOne access point No radio transmission.No radio transmission. Broadcast signal to surrounding area.Broadcast signal to surrounding area. Useful in metropolitan areasUseful in metropolitan areas Many business offer Wi-Fi hotspots for Many business offer Wi-Fi hotspots for

free.free. Security issues with free hotspots.Security issues with free hotspots.

Point-to-PointPoint-to-Point

Point-to-MultipointPoint-to-Multipoint

Radio frequencyRadio frequency

Radio cont.Radio cont.

Wi-Fi travels on 2.4GHz band. Wi-Fi travels on 2.4GHz band. This frequency is unlicensed by This frequency is unlicensed by

international agreement.international agreement. The frequencies for 802.11 b/g span The frequencies for 802.11 b/g span

2.400 GHz to 2.487 GHz. Each channel 2.400 GHz to 2.487 GHz. Each channel is 22 MHz wide, with a5 MHz step to the is 22 MHz wide, with a5 MHz step to the next channel. next channel.

IEEE 802.11IEEE 802.11

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Institute of Electrical and Electronic EngineersEngineers

802.11 focuses on Wi-Fi, and wireless 802.11 focuses on Wi-Fi, and wireless LAN standardsLAN standards

Technology is produced based on these Technology is produced based on these standardsstandards

802.11 standards802.11 standards

802.11a – Released in 1999. 5GHz. Max Data Rate – 54 Mbits/sec. Less crowded than 2.4, but travels less distance. Line of sight a must.

802.11b – Released in 1999. 2.4GHz. Max Data Rate – 11 Mbits/sec. Used in point-to-multipoint. Can travel well up to 5-10 miles.

802.11g – Released in 2003. 2.4GHz. Max Data Rate – 54 Mbits/sec. Can work with 802.11b, but works like 802.11a.

802.11n – Drafted in 2006. 2.4 or 5GHz, Max Data Rate – 540 Mbits/sec. Maybe released in 2007?

Essential WISP backbone Essential WISP backbone equipmentequipment

Connection to ISP. (Broadband, T1, DS3, Connection to ISP. (Broadband, T1, DS3, etc.)etc.)

Main router, plus Ethernet switch to Main router, plus Ethernet switch to aggregate traffic.aggregate traffic.

Radio transmitters: 1 for bridging, one for Radio transmitters: 1 for bridging, one for broadcasting.broadcasting.

Radio cable, connected to antennaeRadio cable, connected to antennae Web server? Amplifier?Web server? Amplifier?

EquipmentEquipment

Users needUsers need

Receiver Receiver mounted in view mounted in view of access pointof access point

Network routerNetwork router Network cards for Network cards for

all machines all machines desired for desired for access.access.

RequirementsRequirements

Line of sight is usually a must.Line of sight is usually a must. Access points should be at as high levels Access points should be at as high levels

as possible.as possible. Receivers look at one access point.Receivers look at one access point.

Why WISP?Why WISP?

ISP companies see it too expensive to ISP companies see it too expensive to lay cabling in rural areas.lay cabling in rural areas.

Demand for high speed access exists.Demand for high speed access exists. Can be a profitable business venture!Can be a profitable business venture! Radio waves provide can provide greater Radio waves provide can provide greater

bandwidth, for less latency.bandwidth, for less latency.

DrawbacksDrawbacks

Line of sight is required for most of the Line of sight is required for most of the technology.technology.

Weather disruptions.Weather disruptions. Latency issues.Latency issues. Unlicensed frequency can have disruption Unlicensed frequency can have disruption

problems. (Cell phones, radio, etc.)problems. (Cell phones, radio, etc.) Expensive to start! (Though government Expensive to start! (Though government

funding can be awarded.)funding can be awarded.)

ExpensesExpenses

Equipment for backboneEquipment for backbone Equipment for relay access pointsEquipment for relay access points Equipment for customersEquipment for customers Internet connectionInternet connection Rent/Lease of relay access pointsRent/Lease of relay access points SecuritySecurity MaintenanceMaintenance

How much can it cost?How much can it cost?

$10,000- $250,000!

How to keep secure?How to keep secure?

VPN – Virtual Private Network. Access a VPN – Virtual Private Network. Access a private network over a public networkprivate network over a public network

Data EncryptionData Encryption SSID – Service Set Identifier.SSID – Service Set Identifier. Address tables + network cards.Address tables + network cards.

Do’sDo’s

Survey land, and frequency traffic.Survey land, and frequency traffic. Make sure you have customers!Make sure you have customers! Listen to their needs.Listen to their needs. Negotiate expenses with customers.Negotiate expenses with customers. Strike deals for remote access points Strike deals for remote access points

with property owners.with property owners.

Don’tsDon’ts

Don’t over/underestimate bandwidth.Don’t over/underestimate bandwidth. Don’t try to compete with ISP’s.Don’t try to compete with ISP’s. Don’t expand without testing.Don’t expand without testing. Don’t cause interference with licensed Don’t cause interference with licensed

frequencies.frequencies. Don’t expand for one customer.Don’t expand for one customer.

WiMAX – The evolutionWiMAX – The evolutionof Wi-Fi?of Wi-Fi?

Worldwide Interoperability Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Accessfor Microwave Access

10 – 60 GHz frequency10 – 60 GHz frequency 802.16 standards provide 802.16 standards provide

greater encryption security, greater encryption security, increased bandwidth increased bandwidth availability.availability.

70 miles and/or 70 Mbits 70 miles and/or 70 Mbits per second!per second!

ConclusionConclusion

WISP’s are expensive to start, and take WISP’s are expensive to start, and take time to build and maintain.time to build and maintain.

A legitimate business venture, and room A legitimate business venture, and room for a very profitable career.for a very profitable career.

Provide a service to those who desire Provide a service to those who desire Internet access where non is availableInternet access where non is available