Preserved Topic: Wireless Broadband (Page 1 of 1)

I found out just recently in my area I can get wireless broadband , ( http://www.irishbroadband.ie ) 512Kbit up+down for $45 a month with no download cap, 24h connection etc.. (apparently 15ms ping is common ). If im in the line of sight is another matter, good chance I am.

I was wondering does anyone know anything about this is it dodgy ? Is it effected badly by weather, things like that. This is really amazing seeing as though the same speed ADSL available (which is very distance sensitive and the ol' copper lines here are pretty lossy) costs $160 a month(with a download cap, how much im not sure), which is just ridiculous , were pretty behind in broadband because all the lines are owned by pricks AKA eircom.net

I'll be posting a hell of a lot more if I get it

Wireless kit is cool. A friend and I are trying to set up a business whereby we sell internet connections (128k-512k perhaps), and access to a "MAN" (Metropolitan Area Network - up to 11mbps) to our local village (which has NO broadband options - no demand for fibreoptic "cable" and not a priority on BT's list to install DSLAMs on the local exchange for ADSL).

Its tricky to set up though - you want to have lots of powerful aerials dotted around in a grid with users' lesser "wireless modem" in between. Finding locations for these isn't easy - in the US you have signs/masts/posts pointing upwards in every direction you look, but here there are strict laws in regards to how high you build without permission.

The network (MAN) is capable of 11mbps, but users are only really interested in internet access speed, and buying the bandwidth required to give all your users 512kbps is a stinger. You end up having to decide whether or not to throttle certain ports (peer-to-peer for example - "they're not bringing my network down with their bloody napster clone!"

The potential of the MAN is huge though... Whack a local web portal on it with big ass multimedia features, and redirect non-MAN users to a different page so you don't have to feed them huge video fields etc.

As for how well it all works, I don't know yet... We've got a full- planned, semi-built network infrastructure, the website is under construction, and we're testing with little USB wireless modems. Investment will buy the big kit.

To answer your question Hugh, the technology isn't "dodgy" - but it is pretty new, and as with ADSL, as the demand in an area goes up, the bandwidth available will go down. "Contention" (bandwidth sharing) is a horrible thing. Quiz the provider about any guaranteed Service Levels, and what you get/don't get if your connection goes down or gives up. Also, ask them what internet connection they have. If they're plugging into ADSL lines, then you've got a whole new layer where problems could occur.

I currently work for the UK's largest ADSL service provider - there are lots of problems with the techology at this stage - and the new wireless market is sure to have the same issues. Just walk away if you're getting ADSL-thru-Wireless. A good company will be plugging into a fat Leased Line, 2 hops from the fattest "main" internet pipes.

Good luck with Broadband...

Pete

The Maximum contention ratio is 8:1 , which is pretty sweet I thinks, even if it is a little clogged occasionally, megh, better than a dial up.

Whats a dial Ups usual contention ratio ?
The Price of ADSL here is NOT going to drop. Eircom who own the entire network , and not just the local loop are cunts and thats the extent of it, they can get more money so they will.

One thing is certain , if I do get this, I will have to get a fatter hard disk ! how much are 60gigs these days ?

It sounds pretty cool but there might be one big drawback.
and that is called Security.

The problem with wireless technology is how the signal is transported, mostly this is done with radio waves thru air.
And as radio, everyone in range of the transmitter can 'listen' to the signal, the signal you are sending that is.
If the wireless network in your neigbourhood is based on the WLAN or 802.11x standards it will be a pain in the ass to get the network secure. If you don't care about security it will be a good idea.

For more information follow these links:
WLAN-info
webopedia-WLAN
security
WLAN-Asociation
WLAN-Standards
world largest WLAN


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[This message has been edited by Rinswind 2th (edited 09-30-2002).]

quote:

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If you don't care about security it will be a good idea.

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