Tell me what you know about Wi-Fi

[Wickerman]

What would be the advantages of small town having city-wide wi-fi coverage? I could see it as a selling point to businesses and potential residents. Thoughts?

Anyone have any experience with wi-fi ops, costs, structuring, etc?

[bullimiami]

1. if they are interested in social services its an advantage...

to the community.

if they are republicans I would hold the wallet until you saw to whom and how the contracts were being written. maybe someone sees a cash cow mooing with a liberal colored coat.

[Wickerman]

7. Yeah, always a risk

This effort would have to be sold as a capitalistic venture - how to make a profit for the business that takes it on, and how the community benefits, without tax increases.

Would help tourism, which in turn helps community is an angle.

[Canuckistanian]

2. Don't know what your technical background is, but

Here's a document from Intel explaining WiFi and the new WiMax standard.

http://www.intel.com/netcomms/technologies/wimax/304471.pdf

[Wickerman]

4. thanks, that is helpful

not entirely readable for me :), but I got someone who can "get" all of it.

thanks again.

:hi:

[TheWraith]

3. Funny, I've been considering the same thing.

Yes, it would be a selling point. For one thing, if the service is free or cheap, it would improve education because more kids (and adults) would have easy access to information. A more educated public attracts better businesses, and broad wireless coverage is a benefit to mobile workers. Free/cheap WiFi service increases the appeal of the neighborhood, raising property values. And last but not least, it's just really fun and convenient.

I have a considerable amount of knowledge re: APs, antennas, setups, service, that sort of thing, but I don't have in depth understanding of the radio frequency mechanics.

[Wickerman]

5. Good points

I also think that as a City utility you can make the case, as many cities have done, that it is a cost saver for the community as the schools and City Gov get to transmit all their data over the system = the T-1 or 3 is paid for.

[htuttle]

6. It has much the same effect on a town as electricity and telephone service

Makes it easier for people to do business there, whether internet related or not.

[understandinglife]

8. Some wimax 'white papers' that may be useful for you.

http://www.speakeasy.net/business/wimax/whitepapers.php

Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[Wickerman]

9. very helpful

thanks, :thumbsup:

[TheWraith]

12. There are trade-offs going with either WiFi or a long-range system.

True WiMax isn't available yet, but there are other similar long-range connectivity systems like Alvarion's BreezeAccess. The BA 2 can produce up to 9 miles of range from the base station and handle thousands of subscribers on a single node. However, it's not mobile in the way that WiFi is. With WiFi, virtually all laptops and most handhelds are already equpped for it with no other hardware or modifications, and they could work anywhere that coverage reaches. A single long-range node, like Alvarion tech, could be easier to deploy, but it would be limited to fixed installations on houses and businesses. People wouldn't be able to take their laptops down to the library or the cafe on Main St. and use them there. It's 12 of one, a dozen of the other.

WiMax makes a lot of promises about making mobile long-range access practical, but it's not going to be broadly available for at least another year, possibly two or three.

[Wickerman]

13. The venture I am researching for is easily 2 years out

WiMax sounds like where we would like to be, butdon't know that we want to be that cutting edge.

[TheWraith]

15. Two years to first deployment, or to operational capability?

I'm assuming first deployment. At this point, if you're not going to be deploying soon, I wouldn't get fixed on any one technology. WiMax has the potential to be big, on the level of WiFi, but there are still some things to be worked out, such as frequency, the finalization of the 802.16 specification, and the completion of the 802.16e specification, which is the version that allows for mobile WiMax. Not to mention time for it to be built into adapters, laptops, and other mobile devices. WiMax has momentum, and if it delivers on what it's supposed to, the field should thin out some. But until then, it's basically still hype. I would base any interim plans on having a technology with a bubble at least 20 miles in diameter. That way, not matter what wireless broadband standard is best in two years, your logistics are covered.

[Wickerman]

17. Definitely deployment

Yeah, I am more interested now in learning the lingo and being conversant in the benefits to the community so that the premise can be sold so that the decision makers will support the concept.

Good thoughts, feel free to add more. :hi:

[Redstone]

10. The town of Middletown, CT just put in free wi-fi all along their

main street (and possibly some other parts of town).

And it didn't cost the town a cent; they got some local businesses to pay for not only the equipment, but also the monthly cost.

No idea as to how popular it's turned out to be; I just tell you this to illustrate that it might be possible for your town to get the service up and running for a very low cost.

I'd research places for you to find more about how Middletown managed the project, but I don't have any spare time. You could try the town's website or the local newspaper websites for starters.

Redstone

[Wickerman]

11. thanks Redstone

I hadn't run across that muni yet - that will be a good one to watch. Intersting concept, get the folks who will benefit the msot to foot the bill... :D

[KharmaTrain]

14. WiFi = 2005 = DSL = 1999

IMHO, one day all internet will be Wi-Fi the premier internet system...as well as handle cellphone/telephone, PDA, Radio and video applications. With more people using wireless systems, the infrastructure is being set up and a whole world of Wi-Fi devices will add to the experience. For example, I listen to KGO, all the Pacifica stations and a ton of international stations on a WiFi radio that sounds as good as any satellite radio...without paying the extra $15 or $20 a month.

WiFi's the next evolution of cellphone technology and, just like with cellphones and DSL-high speed internet, the costs were high in the start-up phase, but dropped dramatically as more people and uses for the technology came on the market.

There's a ton of stuff about WiFi on the net (most that makes my brain hurt), but I've been involved in some of the development of technology for this medium and I'm not only amazed at its capabilities but impressed with its ability to provide reliable, cheap high speed data service in the near future.

[Wickerman]

16. The town is already well wired

for cable and I assume DSL at some level though I am not aware of any widespread use. The question is providing wi-fi coverage to level the playing field for those who currently don't have it and to entice business growth and support tourism.

I also see it as valuable to the municipality for data transfer, the schools, etc.

[KharmaTrain]

18. Level The Playing Field?

How so...price? Access? I think it's just a matter of time this could be the case.

Right now, WiFi's development is still growing, so it's potentials aren't even being comprehended yet utilized. Simply, it's the most efficient means of high speed internet. It's portable and doesn't rely upon wires or other common carriers (phone companies/cable companies) to operate it.

For mass consumer use, it'll become the standard someday as setting up and operating a WiFi wide area system will be as profitable as existing cell sites.

The downside will be security as being "in the open" it can be hacked or messed with...and even the best encrypting won't keep a determined hacker from intercepting the signal and messing up an entire network.

WiFi is ideal for small towns as it can provide rural and "out of the way" service where no phone or cable company will go and satellite isn't reliable.

There's already a slew of "set aside" applications for WiFi. I mentioned earlier of the WiFi radio that works just like satellite and offers can tune into a ton of radio stations without being hooked up to a computer. Your cellphone can already download MP3 and streaming that audio (Podcasting) already has begun...integrating this with a WiFi system is the next phase.

Eventually all this technology will converge as older, less efficient systems fade out. While I don't know if such a system is a solid investment at this point, it will be sooner rather than later. Best to do due dilligence...and looks like that's what you're doing.

Cheers...

[Wickerman]

19. Sorry, incomplete thought there

We have a lot of migrant/immigrant labor - they have a lot of kids. From what I read internet access can be a real leveler in education.

If we have access points around town, or, have access throughout the town we get at least barebones access to all. I envision graduated service to those willing to pay for it - it would just be nice to have the service available to all.

THe security is certainly a concern - not a lot to do but keep as safe as you can and have contingency plans to deal I guess.

The new services that are sprouting would be icing, huh?

thanks!

[paparush]

20. Major ISP's are trying to CRUSH city-wide WiFi...

They are painting it as "un-American" (IE- it undermines their proffit margins in a highly competitive market)

The Telecoms are laying out MAJOR lobbying bucks to get local/State/Federal laws on the books to limit and/or ban city-wide WiFi.

[Wickerman]

21. I read a Heritage Foundation whitepaper on it, so that must explain

their sniveling shit.

Yeah, citywide will hurt their coprorate underbelly, I am sure. :eyes: