[Rooftops] I assume

[Brough Turner]

Thanks Michael,

Yes, I'm aware of Meraki.  I haven't actually spoken to anyone there 
(Can you introduce me?), but I have read the rooftop papers and gone 
though the current Meraki website.  The goals are similar, but my 
interest differs in at least two regards.  

First I'm interested in Internet connectivity including the backbone 
connection ("Internet transit" has a recurring monthly cost, perhaps 20x 
to 50x less than what you pay today, but a monthly cost none-the-less). 
 That implies a service (versus a products business).  For this, I'm 
evaluating a freemium business model that could result in a sustainable 
business, i.e. one that wouldn't require government grants or the 
continued persistence of volunteer community enthusiasts.

Second, the next big increment in mesh performance will come by getting 
away from omni directional antennas and going to highly focused point to 
point links.  This is becoming very feasible (and consumer installable) 
with smart antenna technology.  Even without a push from me, MIMO plus 
beamforming will show up in enterprise (and then consumer) devices in 
the next 2-4 years.  (Ruckus Wireless has a first cut today).  Roofnet 
(and Meraki at least to start) focused at the mesh network protocol 
layer.  The next increment in performance will come from smart antenna 
technology.

Unfortunately, I won't be fully engaged again until  January 3rd as I'm 
out of town with family...  I apologize for slow or no responses prior 
to then.

Thanks,
Brough

Mobile: +1 617 285-0433   Skype: brough
Blog: http://blogs.broughturner.com/



Michael Kassner wrote:
> Hello, Mr. Turner
>
> Interesting concept that is already playing out. I assume you are 
> aware of your fellow MIT alumni that are doing this exact thing in San 
> Francisco:
>
> http://sf.meraki.com/
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Michael P. Kassner
> MKassner Net
>
> On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 1:27 PM, Brough Turner <rbt at alum.mit.edu 
> <mailto:rbt at alum.mit.edu>> wrote:
>
>     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 <mailto:broughturner at gmail.com>
>     Web:   http://www.broughturner.com/
>     Blog:  http://blogs.broughturner.com/
>
>
>     _______________________________________________
>     Rooftops mailing list
>     Rooftops at mit.edu <mailto:Rooftops at mit.edu>
>     http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/rooftops
>
>

-- 

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/