Is this a ok deal?????

[n1wbd]

Thanks for the info. I was just curious. I hope my trees are'nt a problem if I decide to have it put in. Altho the proposed tower is less than a 1/2 mile away.

The WISP's work on the principle of Point to Multi Point(PTMP), line of sight microwave transmissions. Some WISP's use a device similar to a modem, and some don't...it really depends upon the hardware they use to make the PTMP link. For example, we use Motorola Canopy Subscriber Modules (SM) that we put up on the customer's house. From that SM, we run a Cat5E cable directly to the customer's router or computer via a power injector which means we don't use a modem type device at all. The vast majority of ISP's determine your max speed by how much you are willing to pay them per month. Using my company as an example, we hard set the customer's speed in the SM along with using a server in our NOC that manages the customer's bandwidth. The customer does not have access to the settings in the SM, and if we find a customer that has changed their settings without authorization then we disconnect their service.

[iwc5893]

Thanks for the info. I was just curious. I hope my trees are'nt a problem if I decide to have it put in. Altho the proposed tower is less than a 1/2 mile away.

Depending upon a variety of factors, you may still be able to get a signal by blowing right through the trees.

Some of the things to take into consideration are:
1) Distance (closer is obviously better)
2) Type of trees and more importantly the type of leaves on the trees along with their overall health. For example, deciduous, broad leaf trees cause more signal problems then pine trees.
3) Quantity of trees (fewer = better)
4) Frequency that is in use (lower frequency means better penetration through foliage)

[Stargazer]

If it is less than half a mile away then maybe you can hop it to you from someone that you have line of site to in which can see the tower if 900 mhz will not do the trick on penetrating the trees. If it is only trees and not hillside causing an issue then you may be able to get some heighth to help overcome some of the tree trunks if signal is an issue. Heck, the 2.4 ghz may work if they are using that as well.

[bradleys]

n1wbd,

Check with your provider about the trees. They're the only ones who can say for sure.

My provider requires a "site survey" before they'll commit to service. They charge $85, which is included in the installation fee if one can get the service. They brought out a bucket truck and signal meters, and tried to find the signal at various locations in my yard.

Since your provider is a new company, maybe they'll do your site survey for free.