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Ask HN: How do i build my own network to access internet in a rural area?

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Re: Ask HN: How do i build my own network to access internet in a rural area?

#11

Post by sheraz »

I looked into this a few years ago when I was entertaining the idea of bringing better-than-dsl speeds to a rural town. Here is what I learned:

Getting high speed internet to a rural location is a mix of cool tech, line-of-site, politics, roof rights, friendly farmers, and chasing whoever controls the nearest fiber. Oh, and $$$$$ MONEY $$$$$

Routers and network:

  - http://ubnt.com 
  - http://mikrotik.com
Both sites have user forums that discuss not only the hardware but also all of the above.

Re: Ask HN: How do i build my own network to access internet in a rural area?

#12

Post by curiousgal »

jason_slack wrote: post #8

I live in a very rural area (on a lake with lots of state forest surrounding me) where even to get DSL you need approval from Verizon. I use Cradlepoint equipment to access the internet over LTE. I have wired the house but also have wireless access points too. I prioritize the traffic exiting so ensure that the really important stuff is first. Stuff related to my job comes before my son on YouTube or Facebook, etc. I…

That's like my dream (living in a rural lake house)!

Re: Ask HN: How do i build my own network to access internet in a rural area?

#13

Post by nerdynapster »

jason_slack wrote: post #8

I live in a very rural area (on a lake with lots of state forest surrounding me) where even to get DSL you need approval from Verizon. I use Cradlepoint equipment to access the internet over LTE. I have wired the house but also have wireless access points too. I prioritize the traffic exiting so ensure that the really important stuff is first. Stuff related to my job comes before my son on YouTube or Facebook, etc. I…

oh wow...beautiful jason_slack. how...how do you do that prioritize thing? how LTE connects to the internet? do i need to set-up a BTS?

Re: Ask HN: How do i build my own network to access internet in a rural area?

#14

Post by nerdynapster »

sheraz wrote: post #11

I looked into this a few years ago when I was entertaining the idea of bringing better-than-dsl speeds to a rural town. Here is what I learned: Getting high speed internet to a rural location is a mix of cool tech, line-of-site, politics, roof rights, friendly farmers, and chasing whoever controls the nearest fiber. Oh, and $$$$$ MONEY $$$$$ Routers and network: - http://ubnt.com - http://mikrotik.com Both sites have…

line-of-sight between what and what? can't internet be accessed through satellites? how much money may i expect to offer to the project?

Re: Ask HN: How do i build my own network to access internet in a rural area?

#15

Post by nerdynapster »

walrus01 wrote: post #10

You're basically asking "How do I start a WISP?". What is your existing level of networking knowledge?

during my graduation in telecommunication engineering, i has studied relevant subjects such as "Telecommunication Switching, Traffic and Networks", "Computer Networks", "Digital Signal Processing", "Wireless and Mobile Communication" Topics such as OSI Layer, Network Topology, RF Engineering, Microwave engineering,

Re: Ask HN: How do i build my own network to access internet in a rural area?

#16

Post by nerdynapster »

dsfyu404ed wrote: post #7

How rural? Is money a top concern? You could cobble together a bunch of wireless broadband devices (or cell phones), a router and some load balancing and voila. That's not really useful if you're too rural for cell service or money is an object.

rural enough to not to get a line-of-sight from a BTS (zero signal strength in cellphone overthere) can spent money enough to serve, can not bear much loss.

Re: Ask HN: How do i build my own network to access internet in a rural area?

#17

Post by walrus01 »

nerdynapster wrote: post #15
walrus01 wrote: post #10

You're basically asking "How do I start a WISP?". What is your existing level of networking knowledge?

during my graduation in telecommunication engineering, i has studied relevant subjects such as "Telecommunication Switching, Traffic and Networks", "Computer Networks", "Digital Signal Processing", "Wireless and Mobile Communication" Topics such as OSI Layer, Network Topology, RF Engineering, Microwave engineering,

Uhhh. Have you ever worked for an ISP in any capacity? Personally worked with fiber or microwave transport systems?

That list of stuff looks like something a person would copy+paste on a resume.

Not trying to dissuade you, but your initial question is really vague. Exactly what are you trying to accomplish and where?

Re: Ask HN: How do i build my own network to access internet in a rural area?

#18

Post by walrus01 »

nerdynapster wrote: post #14
sheraz wrote: post #11

I looked into this a few years ago when I was entertaining the idea of bringing better-than-dsl speeds to a rural town. Here is what I learned: Getting high speed internet to a rural location is a mix of cool tech, line-of-site, politics, roof rights, friendly farmers, and chasing whoever controls the nearest fiber. Oh, and $$$$$ MONEY $$$$$ Routers and network: - http://ubnt.com - http://mikrotik.com Both sites have…

line-of-sight between what and what? can't internet be accessed through satellites? how much money may i expect to offer to the project?

based on your questions, I recommend you hire a professional to implement your project. As for money, how can you ask that question if the goals, location and scope of your project have not been defined?

"I want to build a WISP covering an entire multi-county area in Montana with 200Mbps+ last mile services"

or

"I want to build a single point to point link with $95 ubnt radios 3km to service an island"

totally different things.

Re: Ask HN: How do i build my own network to access internet in a rural area?

#19

Post by jason_slack »

nerdynapster wrote: post #13
jason_slack wrote: post #8

I live in a very rural area (on a lake with lots of state forest surrounding me) where even to get DSL you need approval from Verizon. I use Cradlepoint equipment to access the internet over LTE. I have wired the house but also have wireless access points too. I prioritize the traffic exiting so ensure that the really important stuff is first. Stuff related to my job comes before my son on YouTube or Facebook, etc. I…

oh wow...beautiful jason_slack. how...how do you do that prioritize thing? how LTE connects to the internet? do i need to set-up a BTS?

I use a Cradlepoint modem with a SIM card in it to connect

Prioritization is done with traffic shaping using pfsense 2.

Re: Ask HN: How do i build my own network to access internet in a rural area?

#20

Post by jason_slack »

curiousgal wrote: post #12
jason_slack wrote: post #8

I live in a very rural area (on a lake with lots of state forest surrounding me) where even to get DSL you need approval from Verizon. I use Cradlepoint equipment to access the internet over LTE. I have wired the house but also have wireless access points too. I prioritize the traffic exiting so ensure that the really important stuff is first. Stuff related to my job comes before my son on YouTube or Facebook, etc. I…

That's like my dream (living in a rural lake house)!

It is very quiet and enjoyable. The quality of my coding shows it.
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