Evaluating Wireless Providers

[WhichVoIP]

Hi Guys,

I'm keen to get your view on what points to consider when evaluating a Wireless Internet Service Provider... Take WAPA as an example - they list a number of providers, however... what questions would I ask to filter out the Good ones from the Not so good ones... OR, are all of them good?

Help me, to help you.

Schaweet!

 

[warwickw]

Some points I'd ask :

1. Do they have the correct ICASA licenses to operate.

2. Licensed or Unlicensed spectrum
Licensed = Good = Expensive
Unlicensed = Problems = Cheap

3. Backhaul bandwidth who do they use, how much do they have, what is their contention ratio

4. Uncapped products do they offer any, uncapped users tend to put a lot of strain on wireless networks

5. Support do they offer 24 hour support, office hours or extended hours

6. Staff compliment

7. IP Addressing can they offer you publicly accessible IP addressing

 

[Scrimshander]

Hi WhichVoIP,

I had the same question just a while back. I recently moved to JHB and Telkom had been less than helpful in providing me with a land line. Some people on myBB recommended Amobia in some of the threads so I contacted them. A few days later they sent out guys to do a free site survey, they showed up about 2 hours late with no equipment. They simply clambered around to see if I have a line of sight of the tower, which I did but they said they were worried about the power lines and pylons between me and the tower (not sure how a 50-60 Hz isolated connection would really affect a 5.8 GHz microwave...) and told me I'd have to pay for a full installation in order for them to bring a dish and actually test the signal... Not to yammer on about it, as I will be making a post later this week regarding the whole exchange, they were less than helpful and not very customer orientated - seemingly much more interested in getting me to pay an installation fee of R1000 instead of providing me with a service I could at least be sure would work.

A few days later I showed interest on Kawuleza connect's webpage and they phoned me back not even 30 minutes later. They offered to install an antenna a mere 3 business days later (yesterday) and let me test it for free for 5 days. I cannot even compare the difference in service between the two companies. Kawuleza connect came out yesterday with signal testing equipment and did a few tests (I have a nice -59dB signal ) and they will be back this afternoon to do the final installation because there was a small bracket mounting issue yesterday.

How well their service will work compared to other WISPs I am yet to see, but they do claim contention ratios of about 20:1 and provide a service that works out cheaper and potentially better than a fixed land line.
I realise you might be looking for more technical criteria but to be honest I think all of these providers use practically identical tech, I think the type of service they provide might just be a more telling criteria.

I can honestly say I'm really disappointed with Amobia considering how people have been recommending them on this forum.

 

[paulcolmer]

I concur with Warwickw, on this one ! The real thing here is backhaul, avoid guys who use bonded ADSL as backhaul . So the question must try to filter these guys out.

I have access to quality low cost uncapped, uncontened fibre for any WISP that is interested in upgrading,

 

[Tim the Techxpert]

Hi There,
I would agree with Warwickw's suggestions. In addition I would ask them for a list of clients in the area and then select one or two to talk to. Preferably you want them with a few years since the installation as it would give you a better perception of the after sales service.

Regards Tim