SeattleWireless Node Fundraiser

Thu Dec 1 17:00:58 PST 2005

One of the biggest challenges for any wireless system is getting access to 
the 'right' spectrum.  One of the main reasons why 2.4 GHz spectrum is 
available for WiFi access is because it has high attenuation and LOS 
characteristics compared to lower frequencies, including where cellular and 
emergency radio systems operate. There is some discussion at the FCC to make 
some of the migrating 700 MHz spectrum available to unlicensed or 
semi-unlicensed use (similar to what they are trying to do with 3.65-3.7 
GHz).  This would probably only be 8-12 MHz of spectrum. Both Intel and 
Qualcomm are lobbying for all of this to become licensed and available for 
'advanced  wireless broadband' uses such as multicasting video and mobile 
WBB.  From what I can see, there appears to be little lobbying for public 
use of that spectrum.. or for any other low frequency spectrum.  900 MHz is 
now available, but this is not considered attractive to drive 
standardization efforts or large vendors into the space that tends to drive 
down prices and increases ease of use.

Meanwhile, various mobile media efforts are gearing up for simulcasting of 
video to handsets, laptops and other portable devices (iPODs for example) by 
the middle of 2006.  Qualcomm is targeting their rollout and just announced 
an agreement with Verizon.  Crown Castle is trying to interest carriers with 
a video casting service, but it's not clear how they can get the reception 
built into handsets and other devices: that is the part of multi-casting or 
other mobile video that Qualcomm can bring to the table.  WiMAX/Wibro may 
have considered developing a similar 'system profile' to offer an 
alternative to MediaFlo. Some carriers aren't thrilled with Qualcomm 
becoming a vertically integrated supplier of everything from designs and 
chips to services running on top of their own network/spectrum.

Bob Syputa

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Casey Halverson" <casey.halverson at infospace.com>
To: "SeattleWireless Talk List" <talk at seattlewireless.net>; 
<dev at seattlewireless.net>
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 3:50 PM
Subject: RE: SeattleWireless Node Fundraiser

One of the biggest challenges for SeattleWireless, or perhaps any other
community wireless network that's not smack in the middle of Nebraska,
is the lack of line of sight.  Its tough getting above those trees,
buildings, and hills.  It limits our growth and people who we can reach.

The tower node is different.  From our initial surveys, 150 feet on top
of capitol hill gets us pretty far.  Not only can it tie into the
existing SeattleWireless system in several locations, but we can also
reach parts of the community completely unserved by the SWN network.  It
doesn't stop with the seattle area either -- some have reported seeing
the distant cluster of towers on Capitol Hill and want to tie in their
homes or communities as well.

High up, key locations are important to bringing SWN to the critical
mass required in order to make the project useful for everybody.  This
usually is in association with high dollar rent, and is usually cost
prohibitive for an organization with no financial structure or bank
account, but not this time.

We really need to seize this moment and help in construction of this
system.  We have taken care of the politics (getting on towers for
free), people are still interested in building a network, we have a
non-profit backer giving us this space, and we have plenty of technical
expertise to bring this project to rapid completion.  The last hurdle is
financing this project.  This is something that everybody can do...even
if it's a small contribution.  It doesn't have to visually move the
progress bar.  It could even be $1!  Hey, if you don't want to give any
money, that's okay too.  Continue to use our system free of charge --
that's our model.  Nobody will hold it against you.

I subscribe to quite a few services ... $40/mo for my DSL line, and
$180/mo for my cellular.  But over the last 5 years, SeattleWireless has
cost me *nothing*.  I get no bill, and no one is hounding me for "dues"
and other BS.  It has literally saved me hundreds in hotspot fees,
intercity transit over private links, etc.

This is your chance to give back.  Once we reach our goal, I promise we
won't bug anyone again until we find the next tower ;)

- Casey

> -----Original Message-----
> From: talk-bounces at seattlewireless.net
> [mailto:talk-bounces at seattlewireless.net] On Behalf Of Matt Westervelt
> Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 2:58 PM
> To: dev at seattlewireless.net; talk at seattlewireless.net
> Subject: SeattleWireless Node Fundraiser
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> For the first time in 5 years, we're asking for some money from the
> community.   We have access to one of the towers on Capitol
> Hill and we
> need some cash to build out the node and pay the climber.
>
> This tower can be seen throughout most of Seattle, and can be
> seen from
> Bellevue and Kirkland as well.
>
> For more details and donation information, see the webpage:
>
> <http://seattlewireless.net/fundraiser/>
>
>
> Thanks
> -matt
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Talk mailing list
> Talk at seattlewireless.net
> http://seattlewireless.net/mailman/listinfo/talk
>
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