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Blog 'wireless' » Former Covad execs plan nationwide Wi-Fi broadband network

Story by Bob Brewin

JANUARY 12, 2004 ( COMPUTERWORLD ) - MetroFi Inc., a start-up company founded by former Covad officials, is eyeing Wi-Fi as the foundation of a new nationwide broadband network that could serve as a viable alternative to high-speed service from local telephone and cable companies.

Chuck Haas, CEO of Mountain View, Calif-based MetroFi, declined to discuss the company's plans in detail, saying it is in "stealth mode." But he did say that MetroFi wants to use 802.11 wireless LAN technologies as the bedrock of its service, with "back-haul" connections to the Internet handled by a combination of high-speed wireless and fiber circuits.

Haas said MetroFi intends to focus primarily on the residential market -- which includes enterprise remote workers -- as well as small and medium-size businesses.

MetroFi plans to use "smart antenna" technology to boost the range of Wi-Fi hardware, which in LAN mode has a range of about 100 feet indoors to 300 feet outdoors, Haas said. In fixed mode, high-gain antennas can extend the range of Wi-Fi hardware to cover miles. That is the same technology used in November 2002 by the High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network in San Diego to span 72 miles with a fixed link in the 2.4-GHz band used by Wi-Fi gear.

Continued @ Computer World

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