Don't you still have to get an experimental license for TVWS at this
point? Part of the problem here is that we're too close to the Chicago
metro broadcast area. There were no usable channels the last time I
looked at one of the databases. Even in the more rural parts of our
network farther away from Chicago, maybe there's a chance, but it would
be too much investment for too little gains. Current cost of the
available gear, and future gear probably won't be any cheaper. Plus the
HAAT restrictions.
If you can use it, great! I hope you do, and make lots of money at it.
Seriously. But I have a genuine fear that the FCC, who has been throwing
loads of poo at us recently, will change their minds and sunset our
access to the spectrum while it's being auctioned behind our backs at
the same time they control our transmitters via database. We'll see how
the 3550-3700 thing goes.
On 9/19/2014 7:35 PM, Matt Jenkins via Af wrote:
You think TVWS is dead? I am curious why.
I feel it's a hope on the next hill over not a dream on the distant
horizon.
We are going to trial the Runcom Wimax product ASAP in TVWS. For us, a
lot of our area isn't even serviceable with 900mhz (assuming clean
spectrum). Customer's less than a mile away would have too many trees
for 900 to connect. Yes, even when that 900 was installed 150ft up a
tree.
TVWS has the chance to reach lots of those who don't have access to
broadband or even cell service. For many people a 2mbps/256kbps is way
better than satellite. They can VPN, game, and VOIP. They might not be
able to stream high def all day but they can get satellite TV for
that. Its the trade off for living so rural.
For the past 6 months we have been deploying Telrad WiMAX in 3.65 and
it's coverage and performance has been phenomenal. I am really excited
to see what WiMAX applied to TVWS from Runcom can do. There has been
talk about how the FSK is still a thriving product. In perfect
conditions FSK provides 14mbps aggregate throughput. Runcom is
estimating 15-20mbps aggregate throughput in average conditions. You
also get 2 APs per Base Station with a built in ASN or use a gateway.