Basic FAQs

Q. What frequencies can I use?

Depending on what country you desire to deploy in, you’ll typically follow either FCC/IC/ETSI frequency plans. Michwave has experience with both licensed and license-exempt frequencies. Michwave highly recommends using licensed spectrum.

Q. Is Wireless Technology Reliable?

Because the signal is broadcast over the air, it is not subject to the failures of traditional cable. There are some new risks involved when going from wired to wireless. However using good equipment in a properly engineered system can minimize or eliminate some of these new risks.

Q. What is the average range of the equipment?

This depends largely on the terrain, transmitting power, both the transmitting and receiving equipment, and many other factors. However assuming this is a multipoint setup it is not uncommon to see license exempt equipment going 10-15 miles with a dish antenna and licensed equipment going up to 20 miles with a panel antenna.

Q. What is the average cost to deploy one location?

This varies dramatically on what you want to achieve in the end. Do you desire to use licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum? Do you desire mobility, portability, or just fixed wireless? Do you want to support VOIP and maybe even video? Do you require NLOS or LOS operation? These are just some of the answers that need to be answered.

Q. What kind of equipment would I need to use?

This coincides with the previous question of what you are trying to accomplish and how much you have to budget.

Q. What is needed to connect a customer?

This depends on the technology used. Most unlicensed systems typically use an outdoor antenna unit that connects to a local area network via standard Ethernet cabling. However other variations such as indoor mounted desktop subscriber units, laptop PCMCIA cards, or vehicle mounted subscriber units are available depending on the technology.

Q. How does weather effect the equipment? Lighting? Temperatures?

This depends on the frequency and equipment used. However generally speaking properly engineered systems should not be affected by weather. This especially holds true for frequencies below 10GHz, while frequencies above that may need considerable margins to maintain high uptime.

Q. How many customers can be serviced off of one location?

There are important factors that need to be considered before assessing this number such as total usable throughput of a system and type of customer base. Michwave will advise on how to maximize available bandwidth resources through the use of targeted customer acquisition and bandwidth management capabilities.

Q. What kind of security do you use to prevent anyone from accessing your wireless network?

This depends on what technology is being used. Security has been known to be exceptional when using proprietary technologies. However when using standards based technologies such as 802.11a/b/g, security should of exceptionally high concern if not properly implemented.

Q. What kind of speeds can be delivered to the customer?

This depends on what kind of equipment is being used. It would be safe to say that most fixed wireless technologies will deliver between 3-6Mbps on average and in the upwards of 45Mbps to the end-user. Mobile technologies will typically deliver less throughput at a rate of ~3 Mbps or less to the end-user.

Q. How do I know if the spectrum is available in my area?

This depends on whether you want to use licensed or license-exempt spectrum. Michwave can evaluate or assist on what is possible to use and what would fit your business model best. This may include doing on-site spectrum analysis at desired tower site locations.

Q. What about roof or tower rights?

The issue of roof/tower rights varies depending upon the owner. Many building owners see the benefits of making their roof space available to accommodate telecommunications infrastructure. Michwave has negotiated many rooftop and tower locations to accommodate the desires of the lessee.

Find answers to any of your qustions by contacting our experienced Consulting Team providing professional services to the developing technological world.

Technical FAQ Categories

Basics, Access Point, Antenna Properties, Canadian RSS-210, Client Equipment, FCC Part 15, Point to Multi-Point, Point to Point, Pre-installation and Site Preparation, Radio Propagation, Reference Material, Troubleshooting.