Thinking of becoming a WISP (wireless ISP)? Want to set up a WiFi hotspot or use unregulated spectrum to provide broadband to fixed locations over the air? If so, there’s a free one-day course in NYC on November 14 you should take a look at. It’s being offered by HD Communications Corp., smartBridges, and Sputnik – all of whom have products or services to offer to WISPs.
I have no business interest in any of these companies. Fractals of Change does not run paid posts. So why the plug?
Two reasons:
- I am a customer of two WISPs in two locations. I think we need more WISPs to provide alternative broadband services both where the telco/cableco duopoly doesn’t choose to provide broadband and where it doesn’t offer us the service we need at a reasonable price.
- I know that Craig Plunkett, VP of business development at HD Communications, is a wizard of wireless (as well as a reader of Fractals of Change and occasional contributor of comments).
Craig has a number of other hats. He’s a cofounder of Wi-Ran which, among other things, makes it possible to provide WiFi to passengers on a moving bus. See a cool mash-up of a Google map and buses running between the Hamptons and NYC here. He’s also a co-founder of Fire Island Wireless which is the WISP on Fire Island, of course; and he’s “managing principal” of Urban Hotspots which provides connectivity at places like Grand Central Station in NY.
Deadline for registration is November 7. You need to make a $50 deposit to reserve a space but you get it back if you show up.