[Rooftops] NxtGen mesh to support an end run around ILECs?

[Brough Turner]

If there is anyone left on this list who is still interested in Internet 
connectivity or wireless mesh networks, I'm an engineer/ entrepreneur 
investigating the feasibility of doing a wireless end run around the 
duopoly here in the US.  So far this is an investigation only - I'm not 
to the point of a business plan, but I'm getting rather optimistic. 

I'm looking for useful people to bounce ideas off.  I'm also running an 
event during IAP:  http://student.mit.edu/searchiap/iap-a194.html

My theses: 

There is a 20x cost difference between Internet connectivity at a 
competitive IXP like One Summer Street in Boston and buildings even one 
block away.  This creates enough of a gap to support a services business 
based on a freemium business model and BYOC (bring your own capital, 
i.e. subscribers purchase mesh nodes).

There's the potential for a 100x increment in mesh performance, at least 
in dense urban areas, because:
   While 5 GHz is absorbed by masonry, there is significant difference 
in propagation through air or glass btwn 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz or 700 MHz.
   MIMO makes 5 GHz more valuable than lower frequencies, at least in 
dense urban areas where MIMO is effective.
   There's vastly more spectrum available at 5 GHz (11 - 40 MHz channels 
versus 3 - 20 MHz channels at 2.4 GHz).
   DSP controlled beamforming significantly improves MIMO performance
   DSP controlled beamforming achieves the performance and SDMA 
advantages of highly directional antennas without requiring professional 
or enthusiast installers.
   802.11n today and 802.11ac in the future are leading silicon vendors 
to incorporate ever higher order MIMO and software controlled beamforming.

If there is anyone here on this list who's interested in talking, my 
contact info is below.  (You're also welcome to attend the January 27th 
IAP event).

Thanks,
Brough

Brough Turner
Ashtonbrooke.com
Mobile: +1 617 285-0433  Skype: brough
Also:  broughturner at gmail.com
Web:   http://www.broughturner.com/
Blog:  http://blogs.broughturner.com/