Neighborhood needing internet

[DirtDiva]

Hi! We just moved into a neighborhood that does not have any internet service other than Satellite (and it is poor) and dial-up, which we all know is impossible to work from. The neighborhood is small - 20 houses or so. Cable and phone companies do not want to spend the money to "wire" the neighborhood with high speed. I am looking for ideas we may be able to use to bring high speed to us.

Geographically, we are in a lake area, relatively remote, slightly hilly. I have heard something about putting a tower up and getting a signal that only our neighborhood could log onto.?

Thanks for the help! All ideas are welcomed.

[Alan87i]

That is sort of what I have done in my area. The Cable company put service along the highway but all the side roads with 1 house every mile or so was left out.
I can't blame them really, the cost of a service line that might catch 3 homes is quite expensive. Then there's the odd duck that claims dialup is all they need.

You need someone that knows wireless inside and out to do a survey and plan out the options and build cost. It's impossible for anyone to tell you how to set it up with out it.

I took the learn as I go route sort of ,,, I got lucky in a couple of areas and had to trouble shoot and ask questions here in others. I'm sharing 2 cable connections using TV towers and roof tops with tripods. I'm using the 2.4 Ghz band and the 900 Mhz band for the links.
2.4 Ghz needs a clear line of sight and plenty of height more so as the link distance increases. While the 900 Mhz band will punch through trees it still doesn't like hills and is prone to interference.

Reply with your rough location state not too far from XX town/city . Don't post your address. Ask for someone if close enough to contact you. Make sure your Private Message service is turned on through this site. I don't think the moderators will mind if done in this fassion. If not I stand corrected and apologize for my advice.

Also do some searching for wisp's /wireless providers on the net , contact those that are close to your area. Get in touch will all the neighbors and find out for sure who is interested so you have a number of yes no's and maybe's if the cost isn't too high.

[Planet]

You should check out this article about Ubiquiti Networks (http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3782146) and their new wireless ISP extender called "The Bullet".

[DirtDiva]

thanks for the feedback! Here is my "rough" location. Lake Martin - Dadeville Alabama.

[vanessa825]

You can send your full address with zip code at sales(at)3gstore.com and they will be able to check coverage maps for both sprint and verizon. Both carriers have the largest footprint for evdo coverage. What is evdo? Read this article:http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/37/61/

Hope that helps!

[marlehole]

Hi!
The neighborhood is small - 20 houses or so. Cable and phone companies do not want to spend the money to "wire" the neighborhood with high speed. I am looking for ideas we may be able to use to bring high speed to us.

Geographically, we are in a lake area, relatively remote, slightly hilly. I have heard something about putting a tower up and getting a signal that only our neighborhood could log onto?

Thanks for the help! All ideas are welcomed.

Hi DirtDiva,

I'll share this post with you as well, just in case it went unnoticed by you in the other thread where I first posted and hope it helps. I am not wise enough to add much more to the other esteem contributors' input. However, I'll like to suggest this fine book; http://www.amazon.com/Wi-Fi-Toys-Wireless-Projects-Entertainment/dp/0764558943 published in 2004 and "hiding in plain" sight.

I'll recommend this highly; Chapters 8 & 9 and especially 13, will address your issues and is easy to understand. Good Luck!