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| However, unless they are on top of each other it shouldn't be too big of a deal (co-location is where most problems come up). Besides in a town of 2500 there is plenty of room for more than one provider - even the canopy access point can really only handle 60 users (theoretically 124 - but not in practice). Also there really are only 3 non-overlapping frequencies the rest of the 11 overlap (could interfere with each other.
Unlicensed frequencies are the only way to make a wisp work, but it's also a hassle because everything else uses those frequencies - cordless home phones, microwave ovens (part of the reason it's unlicensed), walkie talkies. Most of the recent (even lower cost) wisp equipment works pretty well in a 'noisy' environment though.
What this sounds like is what seems to happen to businesses that get established at the same time the technology is new. The early wisps (wireless internet service provider) all charged confiscatory rates because they could and even if the service was so so - it was still better than dialup. Equipment also plays into it - some early guys bought good expensive stuff (motorola, breezecom/alvarion) and had to charge alot to cover the $1000+ cost of equipment. Some guys also bought expensive stuff that wasn't so good - they are stuck charging a lot for not so good service at times (equipment more susceptable to noise, weather, etc).
However, some folks just want a captive market and want to charge whatever they can get away with. When cheaper, better service competes they crash pretty hard. We were once the new guy in a situation where there was no service, but we were really supposed to wait for the expensive guys to eventually come. Seven years later I notice some companies around our area are charging lower prices than us, but it's a teaser rate and you end up paying more - yet it keeps pressure on us.
I'd say where there is frustration is in small very rural areas with 100 folks max there is little reason to try to colocate services or fight over that last customer who likely won't pay anyway. In that case everyone is hurt and the additional interference issues just make it worse. In a larger area it's reasonable to figure out a way to coexist. Having more than one company isn't a bad thing. Not all customers are a good fit. Just for reference most wisp service is from $25 to $50 depending on who buys the equipment and the level of service.
Ok TMI,
Hope this helps,
Pat | |
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Educate me on High speed Internet
