Members of the ISP-Wireless list discuss dealing with wooded hills. How expensive is a good solution, and can it be made profitable?

[December 22, 2000]

On the ISP-Wireless list in December, DG asked,

"Has anyone who lives in a wooded hilly region been able to set up wireless? What's the best way to punch through trees?"

A number of respondents advised DG to go hiking:

[JU warned] "At the power levels that we are allowed on 2.4 GHz, the signal cannot reliably 'punch through' trees and go more than a few blocks. You've got to raise the antenna above the tree tops. My suggestion would be to set up your access point on the highest hilltop nearby.

Then, to deliver reliable service, install your customer antennas so there are no trees between each antenna and the hilltop. With careful choice of antenna locations and heights, you stand a good chance."

[MKS noted] "If the surrounding hills are within four miles or so, it looks like most people would have good line of sight either from their roof tops or from short (20' or so) masts on their houses."

[JS agreed] "Get on one of those hills that surrounds your town. You will not be able to service everyone, but you will be able to service many. Remember, though: the farther away from the antenna you get, the more important the trees and other obstacles become."

KM advised checking out the value proposition before committing to anything complex:

"Anything is possible, but whether it's worth trying depends entirely on how much value you create from succeeding. In other words, will the customers pay for the additional trouble and expense the trees will create? Such as the cost to install guy-wired poles on their roofs, or setting up many access points and backhaul routes, or installing equipment on the trees themselves."

JP argued that a little creative financing can justify an installation like this:

"Our area is covered with trees, but we have stuff on the hills looking down into town from three locations, and we can service almost everyone in town. With one well-chosen hilltop, you could pick up enough customers to pay for a second hilltop easy enough. I've rented hilltop space for $100-200 a month, traded for services, done all sorts of stuff. Land doesn't depreciate."

—End

 

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