WISP IssuesWISP Issues

FCC PresentationFCC Presentation28 June 200228 June 2002

Michael R. AndersonCIO/CTO

PDQLink

PDQLink ProgressPDQLink Progress

Wireless Established 1998– ISP Since 1994– No Other Broadband Available

Cable, Satellite, DSL

Presently– 15 WiPOP Repeaters – 500+ Customers

Coverage Area– Over 700 Square Miles of Northern Illinois– Only One Small Area Covered by “other” means of

Broadband

PDQLink’s NumbersPDQLink’s NumbersTypicalTypical

53% Business Customers– 22 % SOHO Customers– 25 % Residential– 19 % School/Educational Facilities

Infrastructure Costs– We Own Infrastructure– Sub $5k per WiPOP – Monthly Tower Rent– Bandwidth

PDQLink’s NumbersPDQLink’s NumbersTypical Service PlansTypical Service Plans

Residential (2.4Ghz)– Equipment Costs sub $500– 128k to 384k ($40 to $90)

SOHO (2.4Ghz or 5.8Ghz)– Equipment Costs sub $500 to $750– 128k to 384k ($65 to $110)

Business (2.4Ghz or Usually 5.8Ghz)– Equipment Costs sub $500 to $750 – 384k to 512k ($160 to $275)

WISP IssuesWISP IssuesTypicalTypical

Costs of Infrastructure Equipment– Unlicensed is Affordable– CPE Can and is Coming Down

Tower Rental Mentality of Landlords– Most want Cell Phone Rates– No Interference Security

PDQLink Unlicensed PDQLink Unlicensed Interference IssuesInterference Issues

Schools, Commercial Warehouses, Grocery Stores, Home LANs, Home/

Business Security Systems, Cordless Phones, Single Location Over 65 Sources

Dummy WISPs IssuesDummy WISPs Issues

“Tim the Tool Man– Wants to add Amp’s to overcome everything

2, 4 and 8 Watts Amps Easily Available Leases – No Easy Out for Interferences

– Landlord rents to anyone willing to pay more

– Doesn’t Understand RF Basics Vertical vs. Horizontal Polarization Omni vs. Directional Fresnel Zone, Path Losses.

– Lack of Proper Planning– Ultra-Secretive

WISPs (Part-15.Org)WISPs (Part-15.Org)

Treat us like ARRL

Our Own Spectrum Leased not Auctioned Locally by channel and polarity

Give us a chance

WISP NeedsWISP NeedsPossible AlternativesPossible Alternatives

More Solutions– For NLOS Issues

Component Certification vs. System Certification– Antenna Rules

Smaller Beamwidth Antennae– 3-7 Degree Beams

AdditionalAdditionalRecommendationsRecommendations

Become WISP Friendly– Ride – FCC Along Programs– Easy to Use Website (e.g. System Certifications)– Public Information Dissemination

Organizations About WISPs– Part-15.org (akin to ARRL)– WISPA.org (mostly commercial)– WCAI and LEA (drum beaters)

WISP Related Functions– WISPCON– WCAI Conventions– ISP-Planet Conventions

Part-15.OrgPart-15.Org

Professional Installer Exam– Written Test

System Certification Lab– Radio, Antenna, Amp

Same antenna, different labels

WISPCONs– Semi-Annual - Chicago– 100% WISP Related (meat and bones)

Website– Everything you always wanted to know about WISPs