WISP
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This is an article for a term from communications technology; for the use of the word WISP as an ethnic group, see WASP.
WISP is an acronym which stands for Wireless Internet 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.
Typically, wireless technology has comparable latency to a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).
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[edit] Problems with WISP services
- Most technologies require line of sight (LOS).
- The range of Non Line of Sight (NLOS) equipment is greatly limited when LOS is not available.
- The range of unlicensed equipment is often limited severely by government mandated limits on broadcast power.
- Interference can be caused by everything from sun spots to other WISP's.
- WISPs mount their antennae and some other equipment outdoors, prone to damage from lightning and extreme winds.
[edit] Satellite backbones for WISP and Hot Spots
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.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- WISP Centric – provides industry news and information as well as a resource for global initiatives.
- Start a WISP – assisting new WISPs by providing daily input, assistance and advice from established WISPs. Also includes an image gallery and discussion forum.
- WISP Directory – a global directory of WISPs including WISP-related organizations and entities.
- North Texas WISP Directory – List of 90+ WISPs in North Texas.
- WISP Forum – Very large and useful WISP forum.
- Daily Wireless – Wireless ISP news
- Collines.net – Wireless ISP directory for rural areas in France
- WISPA – WISPA, a trade association for WISP owner/operators
