Colleagues,
There is no other technology that matches the rapidity and ease in which
you can deploy 802.11g WiFi; the antenna is a single, small, enclosed
panel-type device easily handled by an individual, that can be mounted
to almost anything, and is virtually maintenance free.
It takes somewhere between two to four hours to properly install an
antenna; simply mount on a building, pole or 20ft. mast, attach a small
electrical connection, and adjust. The small electrical power required
can be supplied by any means, including solar panel. A small project in
the nation of Laos gets it's electricity through a battery powered by a
stationary bicycle! And there's no expensive wiring closet or data
center required, as necessary with CDMA.
Any antenna ($10,000 cost) within a network can be utilized in one of
two ways. It can extend the service area to either a 2km. or 7km.
radius. The 2km. radius (equivalent to almost 8skm.) assures that
service will penetrate structures, for direct indoor access in homes and
buildings. The 7km. radius (equivalent to almost 28skm.) provides a
service only to the outdoor and mobile environment, but still allows
structures to connect their own inexpensive indoor wireless LAN's, or
mesh-enabled devices, with the outdoor network. A 2km. radius is
usually preferred within a metro area, with the 7km. radius service used
along connecting roadways. There are no (relevant) restrictions in the
numbers of users.
By contrast, a CDMA base station alone can cover 150skm, but costs
approximately $100k.
No cellular technology, not even the PSTN, provides as high a quality of
voice service. An 802.11g network can deliver a blazing speed of
54Mbps, sufficient to provision full motion video in real time, or any
form of media over the Internet. It is an always-on service. CDMA, in
contrast, provides a very expensive, limited and slow access to the
Internet, if at all. I know of no finished CDMA installation, or any
deployment technology used within a licensed spectrum, that costs as
little. And this is before considering the complicated and expensive
CDMA data center (and maintenance).
In any event, I have still shown here, by coverage area (and quality),
that an 802.11g wireless broadband network costs much less than a CDMA
network, without even considering the data center.
And 802.11g WiFi does not require a data center for Internet access or
voice service (VoIP), which are already built-in, although the
deployment of one will increase the number of additional potential
services, such as for ethernet LAN's or VPN-based data and other
commercial applications.
There are no technical barriers. The only barriers are regulatory. As
one example, regulatory agencies often state they desire seamless
interoperbility between the PSTN and cellular service providers. If
desired, regulators could add interoperability with wireless broadband
too. This is purely a regulatory decision. There are no other
barriers.
Let me also show you a cost comparison in the US for a PSTN and cable
provider, both capable to provide a more reliable, faster and less
costly Internet access than that offered by advanced CDMA.
Capitalized Rents in Regional Bell Operating Companies
and Cable Television Networks, 1999. (In Dollars)
Asset Market Value Capital Cost
(1999 mean) (1999 mean)
----- ------------ ------------
Regional Bells 2,931/line 2,311/line
Cable TV 3,995/subscriber 1,000/subscriber
An 802.11g wireless broadband network has a capital cost substantially
less than $100.00 per subscriber, which is far below that of CDMA.
Everything depends on your goals. 802.11g wireless broadband offers
virtually unlimited capability, always-on, whether mobile or in an
indoors environment. The technology can perform seamlessly with that of
all other service providers, dependent only upon regulatory allowance.
Any application can be offered.
It will give a large, rapid and measureable boost to economic
development... for an investment well within one year's telecom budget.
And almost anything can be made to communicate through an always-on
IP-based broadband network.
In fact, new telephone chipsets are being produced by Intel and others
that allow use of the same phone whether for WiFi or cellular service,
with a seamless hand-off between provider networks. Handsets are
already available, but not in the numbers, or with options, that are now
under development and will soon appear. I suggest most growth will be
in the direction of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) phones, as opposed
to the UDP or H.323 protocols. This better provides for the needs of
convergence.
These phones, and other access devices, will be less expensive than
cellular phones. They will, with broadband, also allow web-based
application provisioning, which greatly reduces costs for computing and
other applications. Many applications, even browsing, can be converted
for delivery through voice. Voice mail will eliminate the need for
owning a phone or access device, reduce literacy issues, and further
reduce costs associated with access.
In summary, no current technology can be deployed at as low a cost, or
as rapidly. WiFi is simply cheaper and faster, although offering a far
greater capacity and higher quality.
I urge all consider the services of a consultant experienced in advanced
wireless broadband (WiFi), such as myself. There are no other options
for wireless broadband, and no technology that can come close to the low
investment for both deployment and service.
I further suggest that Country Gateways have the ability to, and should,
band together in advocacy, for a united approach to both regulators and
vendors. This would further lower costs while enhancing empowerment.
Designs, for both the network and programmed platform, can and should be
shared for reasons of uniformity, and rapid, easy interoperability, not
simply cost.
Subscription costs for connectivity should never exceed $25.00 per
month. And WiFi offers the possibility of an even lower cost... and
this for true broadband, not simply the inferior (limited) and more
costly high-speed services offered through DSL or cable.
Alan Levy
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
713-781-7820
=====
Iustum et tenacem propositi virum
si fractus inlabatur orbis
impavidum ferient ruinae
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