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Starting an Internet Service Provider

chrishacken.com

111–120 of 248 posts

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#111
post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Governments would pay for this via taxes. At least that's one way. So in the end all of us would be paying for internet, and I guess if there were a way to get internet at 1gig up/1 gig down with no data caps that was very reliable for under 100 bucks a month I would do it. But the build-out costs a lot as you've stated so the capital would have to come from somewhere and perhaps that'd come from infrastructure spend…

We can't convince voters to raise taxes/utility rates enough to fix crumbling dams, lead water pipes, and overflowing sewers.

Neo-con media has framed this very effectively, and the populace now operates within that frame

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#112
France has historically been a country with some small, associative ISPs. The oldest ISP in France, FDN (French Data Network) is an association. In 2011 they created a federation of such ISPs, FFDN. Check out their home page if you are interested, they have some information in English: https://www.ffdn.org/en

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#113
post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll look into it. We should have an unlimited account. Edit: it appears there is a 5 guest limit per paid account. Edit 2: I think I'm going to set up a Mattermost server and push people that way.

Might want to try Riot. It uses a protocol called Matrix, which is the successor to IRC. What this means is that you're not tied to them. Also the web, desktop, and mobile clients are pretty sweet.

It's more aimed to be a successor to XMPP/SMS - hence the focus on federation and mobile friendliness.

Edit: Note this statement is based on my talking to people actually at matrix, on the dev team.

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The answer to some of those questions are complex. I was trying to keep the length of this post to a minimum, so I decided to keep that information out, but I'll try to provide some of the details you asked about. The cost of equipment depends on the installation. If we use Ubiquiti sectors and CPE's, the sectors run about $500/each and each CPE is around $130. I don't think we have a sector with more than 6 clients…

That's great info that I'm saving. It's way cheaper than I thought it would be since the cost of everything has gone down much vs back when I started networking. I was also considering possibility of reaching out to people in Shenzhen finding and testing gear from various suppliers to see if that cost could be reduced. Curious if you've considered any kind of mesh networking that relays from one location to another?…

Keep in mind that in 3-5 years or so (as bandwidth demand per-user doubles), you get to rip all that gear out and replace it with new gear that can provide more bandwidth.

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That'd be great! Shoot me over an email: chris (at) nepafiber.com Sorry in advance if I don't get back to you right away.

If you haven't heard of it, you may be interested in WISPA [0] as it sounds like you're still doing some fixed wireless. There should be a PA state-level group/mailing list that you might be able to reach out to. You should be able to find a list of other, similar ISPs in PA on their web site that you may be able to collaborate with. Also, their bi-annual conference is in a few weeks in Memphis, TN. There will be "fi…

That's my hometown. Im 10-30 min away from about any part. Might try to go if it's open to anyone. Trying to collect info to help new ISP's get started.

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you haven't heard of it, you may be interested in WISPA [0] as it sounds like you're still doing some fixed wireless. There should be a PA state-level group/mailing list that you might be able to reach out to. You should be able to find a list of other, similar ISPs in PA on their web site that you may be able to collaborate with. Also, their bi-annual conference is in a few weeks in Memphis, TN. There will be "fi…

That's my hometown. Im 10-30 min away from about any part. Might try to go if it's open to anyone. Trying to collect info to help new ISP's get started.

I hadn't planned on going myself (I prefer the one in Vegas!) but there will certainly be plenty of ISP folks there for you to chat with.

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#117

Godspeed man. I wish the regulatory landscape was more open to this kind of thing all over the country. The incumbent ISPs need some competition.

Thank you. I obviously completely agree; we tried relentlessly to contact our local utilities to gain access to their underground conduit and was never able to get someone on the phone or even much of a response. I eventually got to the point where I was like, "F k it, I'll do it on my own." Now we're looking at microtrenching, which is probably an even larger endeavor, but at least we'll own the conduit.

Chris - I might have an interesting low-cost microtrenching option for you. This company demo'd at a recent TechBreakfast: http://traxyl.com/. I know the founders and they are very motivated to make this work for early customers. Let me know if you want a connection.

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#118
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One other reason is that counties have the land rights. They negotiate with the big Telco's like Comcast, Verizon, Cox, Charter, etc and then issue a monopoly or duopoly in the county for a fixed period of time - usually 10 years at once. The Telco can offer a few things like fiber connectivity between county buildings, tax payments, etc. By doing that, they secure the rights to the area. Given the federal system of…

We do in theory have competition for DSL service but the telcos just conspired to let their cable plant rot to make that undesirable.

But why though? It seems really silly. Even in a hyper competitive market like the UK, the incumbent telco still makes a fortune off home broadband service.

In the US AT&T and Verizon seem to have given up and want to just do cellular to make money and let their copper plant rot. They are gifting the entire market to Comcast et al.

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's my hometown. Im 10-30 min away from about any part. Might try to go if it's open to anyone. Trying to collect info to help new ISP's get started.

I hadn't planned on going myself (I prefer the one in Vegas!) but there will certainly be plenty of ISP folks there for you to chat with.

I mean, can just anyone go there? And is it free cuz Im kind of broke?

Re: Starting an Internet Service Provider

#120
post #99
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One other reason is that counties have the land rights. They negotiate with the big Telco's like Comcast, Verizon, Cox, Charter, etc and then issue a monopoly or duopoly in the county for a fixed period of time - usually 10 years at once. The Telco can offer a few things like fiber connectivity between county buildings, tax payments, etc. By doing that, they secure the rights to the area. Given the federal system of…

> One other reason is that counties have the land rights. They negotiate with the big Telco's like Comcast, Verizon, Cox, Charter, etc and then issue a monopoly or duopoly in the county for a fixed period of time - usually 10 years at once. They do not do that. It's illegal under federal law. Pole and conduit owners are required to rent out access at non-discriminatory rates: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4…

I don't think that's true with the massive switch to cord cutting - cable TV revenues are collapsing.

Was FiOS much cheaper/better than Comcast (apart from the underlying tech)?

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