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Definition: Wireless Internet Access Service Provider
WISP is an acronym which stands for Wireless Internet Access Service Provider. These can be Wi-Fi hotspots or an operator with a Wi-Fi based network infrastructure. Often they offer additional services, like location based content, Virtual Private Networking and Voice over IP.
WISP's are predominantly in rural environments where cable and digital subscriber lines are not available. WiMax was expected to become mainstream in 2006 and was anticipated that it would dramatically change the marketplace by increasing the number of interoperable equipment on the market and making mobile data transmission feasible. Unfortunately this has not happened and has hampered the expected increase in adoption rates of WISP services.
Typically, the way that a WISP operates is to pull a large and usually expensive point to point connection to the center of the area they wish to service. From here, they will need to find some sort of elevated point in the region, such as a radio or water tower, on which to mount their equipment. On the consumers side, they will mount a small dish to the roof of their home and point it back to the WISP's dish.
Since it is difficult for a single service provider to build an infrastructure that offers global access to its subscribers, roaming between service providers is encouraged by the Wi-Fi Alliance with the WISPr protocol. WISPr is a set of recommendations approved by the alliance which facilitate inter-network and inter-operator roaming of Wi-Fi users.
Many wireless broadband services provide average download speeds of over 100 Mbit/s, and is estimated to have a range of 50 km (30 miles)[citation needed]. Technologies used include LMDS and MMDS, and one particular access technology is being standardized by IEEE 802.16, also known as WiMAX.
At first, Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) were only found in rural areas not covered by cable or DSL. These early WISPs would receive a large connection, such as a T1 or DS3 connection, and then prodcast signal from a high elevation, such as at the top of a water tower. To receive this type of internet, consumers would mount a small dish to the roof of their home or office and point it to the transmitter. Line of sight was usually necessary for this type of technology, but technologies by Motorola have not adhered to this general rule.
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Wireless Internet Access Service Provider Contents
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- Rapid Deployment - Allows networks to be deployed without cabling for client devices, typically reducing the costs of network deployment and expansion. Spaces where cables cannot be run, such as outdoor areas and historical buildings, can host wireless Internet access networks.
- Fastest Internet Access in the World - Wi-Fi is the fastest Internet access network in the world. Wi-Fi is currently at 54Mbps now, and soon 802.11n will offer 248Mbps. The access speeds blow away 3G, cable and DSL providers. Only fiber to the curb can really compete with Wi-Fi.
- Massive Availability - Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi) antennas are built into 99% of all modern laptops, getting a laptop without a built in Wi-Fi antenna would be extremely rare.
- Affordable Pricing for the Masses - Wi-Fi chipset pricing continues to come down, making Wi-Fi a very economical networking option and driving inclusion of Wi-Fi in an ever-widening array of devices.
- Interoperability Amoung All Vendors - Wi-Fi products are widely available in the market. Different competitive brands of access points and client network interfaces are interoperable at a basic level of service. Products designated as Wi-Fi Certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance are backwards compatible.
- Worldwide Wi-Fi Standard - Wi-Fi is a global set of standards. Unlike 3G cellular carriers, which are slow and fragmented, the same Wi-Fi Internet access device works in different countries around the world.
- Ubiquitous Coverage - Widely available in more than 250,000 public hot spots and tens of millions of homes and corporate and university campuses worldwide.
- Secure Network Connections - As of 2007, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is not easily cracked if strong passwords are used and WPA2 encryption has no known weaknesses.
- Quality of Service - New protocols for Quality of Service (WMM) and power saving mechanisms (WMM Power Save) make Wi-Fi even more suitable for latency-sensitive applications (such as voice over IP and video on demand) and offered in a very small form-factor.
- Indoor Wi-Fi Access Points - Indoor Wi-Fi Internet access
points are the most ubiquitous form of broadband Internet access in the world. There is not a remote city or third
world country that doesn't have at least one Internet Cafe in town. Wi-Fi Internet access points are easy to install
and very cost effective to deploy. Wi-Fi 802.11g currently provides 54Mbps of bandwidth.
- Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) - In every small town, there
is at least one wireless Internet service provider, also known as a WISP. It might be a very large Turnkey WISP or it might
be a small Neighborhood WISP (NISP). Unlike Wi-Fi, a WISP will install a fixed antenna on a customer's premises, which provides
the equivalent to a wireless T1 or faster connection.
- Municipal Citywide Wi-Fi Mesh Networks - It used to be that only
rural towns in America saw that benefits of building a wireless Internet network in town to generate new economic development.
In the last year, just about every big city in the world has contemplated adding wireless Internet access to their portfolio of economic development
tools to generate jobs and attract corporations to their cities and towns. In addition, wireless Internet access is
also seen as the only cost-effective way to provide broadband Internet connections to underpriviledged citizens. The technology that made this
possible was wireless routers using mesh networking technology. Mesh network technology
made it possible to blanket a city or town with Wi-Fi access points and offer the same type of roaming capabilities that
users have come to expect with wireless cell phones.
- Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) -
EDGE was designed by 3G
carriers to carry wireless data over cell phone connections, which were designed for low bandwidth voice applications.
As a result, the maximum speed is limited to only 236.8 kbit/s for 4 timeslots (theoretical maximum is 473.6 kbit/s for 8 timeslots)
in packet mode and will therefore meet the International Telecommunications Union's requirement for a 3G network. By Wi-Fi
standards, EDGE is very slow and offers only a marginal connection at best.
- Evolution-Data Optimized for CDMA -
EVDO
was also designed by 3G that operated CDMA networks. The initial version was called EV-DO, Rev. 0,
but quickly upgraded to
EV-DO Rev. A.
Sprint and Verizon Wireless are deploying
EVDO technology in the United States and by Bell Mobility and Telus Mobility in Canada.
EVDO was yet another attempt to develop a faster wireless data transport system that could compete with Wi-Fi.
In addition to the increase in the maximum burst
downlink rate from Rev. 0's 2.45 Mbit/s to 3.1 Mbit/s, Rev. A offered a significant
improvement in the maximum uplink data rate, from 153 kbit/s to a maximum uplink
burst rate of 1.8 Mbit/s. Still slow compared to Wi-Fi, but EVDO can provide acceptable
wireless Internet connections if nothing else is available.
- High-Speed Downlink Packet Accesss for UMTS -
HSDPA
was designed by 3G carriers that operated UMTS networks. High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), sometimes
referred to as High-Speed Downlink Protocol Access, is a 3G mobile telephony protocol in the HSPA family,
which provides a roadmap for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)-based networks to increase
their data transfer speeds and capacity. Current HSDPA deployments now support up to 7.2 Mbps and represents
the fastest 3G wireless Internet access protocol.
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Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) -
WiMAX is a
standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile
wireless broadband access as an alternative to wired broadband like cable and
DSL. WiMAX provides fixed , nomadic, portable and, soon, mobile wireless
broadband connectivity without the need for direct line-of-sight with a base
station. In a typical cell radius deployment of three to ten kilometers, WiMAX
Forum Certified™ systems can be expected to deliver capacity of up to 40 Mbps
per channel, for fixed and portable access applications. This is enough bandwidth
to simultaneously support hundreds of businesses
with T-1 speed connectivity and thousands of residences with DSL speed
connectivity. Mobile network deployments are expected to provide up to 15 Mbps
of capacity within a typical cell radius deployment of up to three kilometers.
WiMAX technology will be incorporated into the majority of notebook computers
and PDAs by the end of 2007, allowing for urban areas and cities to become "WiMAX Metro Zones"
for portable outdoor broadband wireless Internet access.
Many WISPs, especially in Africa, Asia and CIS use satellite as their main Internet backbones. For example, PEP-iDirect is a perfect platform to start up the WISP business with much lower costs than it would take with standard SCPC systems and terrestrial circuits if the local telecom markets are monopolized. At the same time PEP-iDirect allows to maintain the high quality of backbone service provided which is equal to a dedicated SCPC or even better. The PEP-iDirect system can support up to 1500 subscribers with no equipment upgrades as well as little as 50 subscribers, still staying cost effective for entrepreneurs.
A wireless connection can be either licensed or unlicensed. In the US, licensed connections use a private spectrum the user has secured rights to from the FCC. In other countries, spectrum is licensed from the country's national radio communications authority (such as the ACMA in Australia). Licensing is usually expensive and often reserved for large companies who wish to guarantee private access to spectrum for use in point to point communication. Because of this, most wireless ISP's use unlicensed spectrum which is publicly shared and therefore more prone to interference.
This information provided by the Wikipedia Free WISP Encyclopedia.
Today's News Stories on Wireless Internet Access Products/Services, Wireless Internet Access Network Deployments and Wireless Internet Access Industry Research:
Virginia Union University Retrofits Its Richmond Campus With a High Performance 802.11n Wi-Fi Broadband Wireless Network From Aruba Networks
Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARUN) announced that
Virginia Union University has deployed an Aruba 802.11n solution and
AirWave Wireless Management Suite at its 84-acre campus in Richmond,
Virginia. Founded in 1865 to give newly emancipated freedmen an
opportunity for education and advancement, the university's network of
independent Fat AP wireless access points lacked centralized management,
and robust wireless performance.
Wireless Companies Achieve Breakthrough in Broadband Wireless Data Services With Successful Implementation of Automatic Network-to-Network Mobility
KT Corporation of Korea and Stoke, Inc.
announced they have succeeded in implementing seamless network handover
between multiple mobile data network types. The achievement provides a
solution to one of the growing challenges to mobile data operators:
improving the customer experience while optimally managing traffic.
Scottsdale, NewPath Networks Move Forward With Broadband Wireless Infrastructure Improvement Plan
NewPath Networks announced
approval by the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, of NewPath's proposal to
implement a multi-carrier DAS wireless network in the City. The approval
includes a wireless communications fee agreement by which NewPath will pay
Scottsdale for use of the public rights-of-way. Major wireless service
providers will utilize the NewPath multi-carrier DAS network to provide
enhanced voice and data services for their Scottsdale-area subscribers.
National Broadband Wireless Stimulus Webcast Attracts Thousands, as White House Official, Experts Discuss Strategy
A June 4th National Broadband Stimulus Town Hall Meeting Webcast produced by the National League of Cities TV, in cooperation with TV Worldwide and BroadbandCensus.com, attracted an on-line audience of thousands of city officials and industry professionals as experts engaged in interactive discussions on how broadband stimulus money will be deployed.
Beceem & Couei Enabled Worldmax to Maximize the Performance of Its 3.5GHz Mobile WiMAX Network
Beceem Communications, a leading developer of Mobile WiMAX chips , and Couei, a leading provider of wireless test tool solutions, are jointly demonstrating how to maximize and mobilize WiMAX networks in the 3.5GHz spectrum.
University of Queensland Creates a Collaborative Academic Experience With World's Largest 802.11n Wireless Network
The University of Queensland is working with Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) to become Australia's most connected tertiary institution, deploying the largest 802.11n wireless network in the world to create a unique collaborative environment. The university is also deploying the largest tertiary Cisco TelePresence network in Asia Pacific to facilitate international and cross-campus collaboration. This network also includes the 7 millionth Cisco wireless access point deployed worldwide.
Ericsson and MobiCom Bring Mobile Broadband Wireless Internet Service to MONGOLIA
Mongolian operator MobiCom has launched
the first high-speed mobile
broadband wireless network in the country, powered by HSPA technology from
Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC ). The launch enables MobiCom to introduce
mobile broadband services to its subscribers across Mongolia,
starting in the capital Ulaanbaatar where about 40 percent of the
country's 3 million inhabitants live.
NewPath Networks Announces $47 Million in Private Equity Financing for Continued Expansion of Fiber-fed Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Broadband Wireless Carrier Networks
NewPath Networks announced $47 million in new
investment funding in a private placement offering, of which $30 million
was closed on April 20, 2009. The financing was led by Charterhouse Group,
a private equity investment firm in New York, New York; joined by Meritage
Funds, a venture capital firm in Denver, Colorado; and existing investor
Sweetwater Capital, LLC, a venture capital firm in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Proceeds from the financing will be used for network expansion through
acquisitions and organic growth in existing and new markets across the U.S.
Liberty University Mobilizes Faculty and Students With a High Performance 802.11n Wi-Fi Network
Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARUN) announced that
Liberty University has upgraded the Wi-Fi network at its 5000-acre campus
in Lynchburg, Virginia with an Aruba 802.11n solution and AirWave Wireless
Management Suite. Founded in 1971, Liberty University has 123 buildings
totaling 2.9 million square feet of facilities, 42,000 local and
distance-learning students, and more than 2,600 full time employees.
Net One A.E. to Provide Wholesale WiMAX (4G) Broadband Wireless Internet Access in Greece
Craig Wireless Systems Ltd. (TSX: CWG) announced that its subsidiary Craig
Wireless Hellas S.A. has entered into an agreement with Net One A.E. to provide Net One subscribers with access to Craig Wireless Hellas
S.A.'s WiMAX network. The agreement provides for non-exclusive
access to the Network for an indefinite term, within the coverage area of the
Network in the Athens and Thessaloniki regions of Greece.
Broadband Wireless Operators Begin to Focus on Building Green Communications Towers
Broadspot World Wide Wireless announced that its CEO Nyhl Henson will moderate the "Is Your Tower
Green Enough?" panel at the CTIA's Tower Technology Summit in Las Vegas on
Thursday, April 2, 2009.
Proxim Connects One of England's Most Remote Communities With Next Generation Wireless Broadband
Proxim Wireless Corporation (NASDAQ: PRXM) announced that
Cybermoor Ltd., a UK market leader in community broadband projects, has
signed an agreement to upgrade the existing Cybermoor network on Alston
Moor using Proxim's wireless broadband solutions.
Sparkplug Communications Delivers High Speed Wireless Internet Access for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Sparkplug Communications announced that it is
providing high speed, wireless Internet access for "Extreme Makeover: Home
Edition" for a home that was madeover in Las Vegas the week of March 12th.
Omnicity Moves Into Rural Municipality Market with Acquisition of Indiana Wireless ISP
Omnicity Corp (OTCBB: OMCY), the Midwest's
largest fixed wireless Internet service provider, took another step forward
in their acquisition model and has acquired the customers and equipment of
Cue Connex of Hartford City, Indiana.
Airspan Selected for County-Wide Municipal and WiMAX Networks in Spain
Airspan Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRN) announced that the government of La Xunta, Spain, through its service provider R, has selected Airspan equipment to create two networks, one used for the municipality to remotely connect offices throughout the region, while the second is connecting several industrial zones and businesses to WiMAX.
Wes-Tex Telecommunications Selects Airspan for Rural Texas WiMAX Network
Airspan Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRN), a
leading provider of broadband wireless access networks, announced
that Wes-Tex Telecommunications, a division of Wes-Tex Telephone
Cooperative, Inc., working with systems integrator Stutler Technologies,
selected Airspan advanced WiMAX solutions for a city-wide deployment in Big
Spring, Texas.
BSNL Launches First WiMAX Broadband Wireless Internet Access Network in Gujarat, India
Bharat Sanchar Nigam, Ltd (BSNL) and SOMA Networks, Inc. announced the commercial launch of "BSNL Wireless Broadband" service
in the state of Gujarat. Broadband connectivity means high-speed, always
on, Internet access in homes and offices. What is special about this
wireless service is that it can reach even those places where there is no
wired infrastructure.
Airspan Well Positioned to Extend Market WiMAX Leadership in U.S. Rural Broadband Broadband Wireless Networks
Airspan Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRN) publicized
the availability of the industry's most complete FCC and Rural Utilities
Service (RUS) certified lineup of fixed and mobile WiMAX Base Stations and
Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) for the U.S. rural market. This
announcement follows the just-signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
that has placed significant emphasis on rural broadband. RUS approval is
obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, affirming Rural
Development acceptance and "Buy American" status of equipment. Airspan is
among a select few WiMAX equipment manufacturers with this coveted "Buy
America" status.
MagtiCom Launches First Broadband Wireless Mobile WiMAX Service in Georgia
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) today that Georgian mobile operator MagtiCom launched its Mobile WiMAX services using the end-to end Cisco Broadband Wireless Solution. MagtiCom is deploying a Cisco Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP
NGN) that integrates mobile voice and WiMAX services into a single converged network. MagtiCom is currently offering broadband Internet via WiMAX in the capital, Tbilisi, as well as in nine major cities across the country. By the end of 2009, the operator is planning to cover all key cities and regional centers of Georgia with WiMAX broadband services.
Network Intelligence Supercharged for Mobile Broadband & Next Generation Wireless Networks at 40Gbps
Allot Communications Ltd. (NASDAQ: ALLT) announced the launch of the Allot Service Gateway Sigma (SG-Sigma). With 40 Gbps of throughput and fully attuned to 3G
and 4G/LTE networks, the SG-Sigma is designed to enable network operators to
generate additional revenue streams and increase subscriber Quality of
Experience (QoE).
VeriSign to Provide Broadband Wireless Authentication for WiMAX Industry
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) announced the WiMAX Forum has selected VeriSign's Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to safeguard the burgeoning wireless broadband ecosystem.
Southwest Concierge Launches Affordable Broadband Wireless Concierge Service Nationwide
Now, anyone with a smartphone, PC, or Web-enabled
cell phone can access concierge and personal assistant services just like
the rich and famous do -- but at very affordable prices. With the current
economy adding stress to people's already overwhelmed lives, Southwest
Concierge, an Arizona-based company, is the first to offer concierge and
personal assistant services, nationwide, using this new technology.
Ithaca College Revamps Its Broadband Wireless Network With an 802.11n Wi-Fi Solution From Aruba Networks
Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARUN) announced that
Ithaca College has deployed Aruba's high-speed 802.11n and broadband wireless
security solutions at its New York campus. Founded in 1892, Ithaca College
is a private, coeducational college sited on a 750 acre campus, and has
approximately 6,400 students and 1,500 faculty and staff.
National Hurricane Center and America's Emergency Network Sign Agreement to Broadcast Free Hurricane Updates via Broadband Wireless Satellite Distribution Network
America's Emergency Network, Inc. (AEN)
announced that it has entered into an agreement with the National Hurricane
Center, the U.S. government's renowned hurricane forecasting service based
in Miami, FL.
Universidad del Valle de México, S. C. Selects Aruba Networks and IT21 to Supply Wireless Networks Across 35 Campuses
Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARUN) announced that
Universidad del Valle de México, S. C. (UVM) is deploying Aruba's adaptive
wireless LANs across its 35 campuses throughout Mexico. UVM is the second
largest private university in Mexico with 85,000 students and 7,000 faculty
members.
Satellite Internet for US Soldiers Stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan
To the soldiers stationed in the war-torn countries, one VSAT access point provides broadband access to the Internet; telephone connections including voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), IP phone and video-conference connections. In addition, soldiers can also transfer data to many other users simultaneously.
Ericsson Announces Plans for First LTE Broadband Wireless Commercial 4G Network
Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) and TeliaSonera announced the signing of
a commercial LTE network. The roll-out of the 4G mobile broadband
network will offer the highest data rates ever realized, with the
best interactivity and quality. This network will cover Sweden's
capital Stockholm and the contract is Ericsson's first for commercial
deployment of LTE.
Growth of 400% to 800% in Year-over-Year Traffic Forcing Mobile Operators to Upgrade to Broadband Wireless Technology Including HSPA, EV-DO, and WiMAX
A new whitepaper published by communications market research firm Infonetics Research examines 4 mobile broadband trends that are building up to a "perfect storm" in the mobile world, trends that present as many challenges as opportunities for mobile operators.
Wireless Matrix Adds 1,000 Leak Detection Customers to GPS Fleet Tracking Application
Wireless Matrix (TSX:WRX) announced that the company has received purchase orders to add an additional 1,000 subscribers with a key service provider. The cable service provider will deploy Wireless Matrix's FleetOutlook solution within its operational area in the south. The cable service provider will implement FleetOutlook to support automation of workforce management through use of GPS and integration with existing functionality already provided by CSG Systems.
FCC Grants Approval for Redline's Latest 3 GHz Broadband Wireless Products
The MAX+ AN-80i, which is currently marketed under Redline's RedCONNEX family of point-to-point Broadband Wireless Infrastructure (BWI) products, is now approved for delivery of carrier-grade long-range connections of up to 48 Mbps within the 3.65 GHz frequency band regulations in the United States.
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