Seems like a great use for Rural Broadband Experiment funds.
From: Jason McKemie via Af
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2014 8:41 PM
To: af@afmug.com
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] TVWS Alive or Dead? Was: Re: Dear Cambium
Yeah, the whole experimental license thing is a big issue for me at this point.
This equipment is way too expensive to have the license pulled with no recourse.
On Friday, September 19, 2014, George Skorup (Cyber Broadcasting) via Af
<af@afmug.com> wrote:
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.
