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story category Minneapolis Wi-Fi Network Working but Limited
Slow speeds and too many trees among glitches to be worked out
01:33PM Sunday Mar 30 2008 by KathrynV
tags: wireless · municipal
Last month it was reported that the city of Minneapolis had been successful in rolling out a citywide wireless network that provides broadband access to over ninety percent of the city’s residents. An update about the rollout indicates that the network is indeed up and running but that there are a few limitations bothering its regular users.

The first problem is that the speeds of the system are slow; users are getting only about half of the advertised 1 Mbps speed on the system. The second problem is that the network isn’t optimized for mobile Wi-Fi devices (such as the iPod touch) so it’s not good for all people who are interested in quick online access on the go.

And the third problem, which is perhaps the most important to resolve immediately, is that trees and tall buildings continue to block some customers from Wi-Fi access even though the city has made strong efforts to reduce these issues. Residents can use wireless modems to get around the latter problem insofar as it affects in-home connections.

Related:
  1. Lack of Funds Shuts Down Wireless Oakland
  2. NYC Wireless Network Tackles Both Roadkill and Terrorism
  3. Georgia Town Picks Clearwire For Muni-WiMax
  4. Philly Wi-Fi Network Use Skyrockets
  5. Fresno Wants Citywide Wireless But Doesn’t Want To Pay
  6. MetroFi Antennas Could Cost $60,000 to Remove
  7. FL Man Attempts to Build Citywide WiMax Network
  8. Milpitas May Make Use Of Old Earthlink Wi-Fi Network
Forums » Minneapolis Wi-Fi Network Working but Limited
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Post a:
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

enough with this

Enough with using ****ty unlicensed spectrum competing with 1000s of other APs and 2.4 devices. Wifi doesn't even have transmit power control so it basically spews black smoke into the air. Time for the FCC to make a band dedicated to municipal telecom services (cellphones/broadband) so we can get carrier grade muni broadband, most likly over wimax.

punker
deleted by moderator
Premium
join:2004-06-21
Palmdale, CA
clubs:
·Time Warner VOIP
·RoadRunner Cable


edit:
March 30th, @04:40PM

Re: enough with this

Click for full size
my wireless coverage area
said by patcat88 See Profile :

Enough with using ****ty unlicensed spectrum competing with 1000s of other APs and 2.4 devices. Wifi doesn't even have transmit power control so it basically spews black smoke into the air. Time for the FCC to make a band dedicated to municipal telecom services (cellphones/broadband) so we can get carrier grade muni broadband, most likly over wimax.
2.4 Ghz can go far with the right equipment

please note i am using an Buffalo WHR-HP-G54

HP means High Power
--
Underwater bogeyman continues secret mission...
v_lestat
The Blood Is The Life

join:2002-11-09


edit:
March 30th, @10:22PM

Re: enough with this

said by punker See Profile :

said by patcat88 See Profile :

Enough with using ****ty unlicensed spectrum competing with 1000s of other APs and 2.4 devices. Wifi doesn't even have transmit power control so it basically spews black smoke into the air. Time for the FCC to make a band dedicated to municipal telecom services (cellphones/broadband) so we can get carrier grade muni broadband, most likly over wimax.
2.4 Ghz can go far with the right equipment

please note i am using an Buffalo WHR-HP-G54

HP means High Power
thats quite hilarious.

Buffalo! hahahah

a Muni-Fi network is comprised of wifi and backhaul radios that make buffalo look like childsplay.

the fact of the matter is that no matter where you are yo uwill ALWAYS have these issues.

one thing that no one thinks about is that a persons laptop, pda, ipod, iphone (wifi), and all other devices are VERY low power compared to the 200-400mw output power of most municiple radios (plus the antennas they are using).

Muni-Fi is a great idea, but VERY HARD to implement and be successful.

Cities do not care about the trials and tribulations involved with a deployment, all they care about is if it works or not.

the fact is, and its undeniable, that no city municiple wifi project will ever be a success the way people wish it could be.

another thing to remember is that Earthlink has pretty much ruined it for all muni
s

Tzale
Ron Paul 2008 - Proud Conservative
Premium
join:2004-01-06
NJ, USA
·Verizon FIOS
·Optimum Online

said by punker See Profile :

said by patcat88 See Profile :

Enough with using ****ty unlicensed spectrum competing with 1000s of other APs and 2.4 devices. Wifi doesn't even have transmit power control so it basically spews black smoke into the air. Time for the FCC to make a band dedicated to municipal telecom services (cellphones/broadband) so we can get carrier grade muni broadband, most likly over wimax.
2.4 Ghz can go far with the right equipment

please note i am using an Buffalo WHR-HP-G54

HP means High Power
With an Amateur Radio license, you can get 30-60 miles if you try.

-Tzale
EPS

join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA
Yes, because having tax funding isn't enough of an advantage for municipal projects- now they deserve free spectrum too.
Sammer

join:2005-12-22
Pittsburgh, PA
Which band do you suggest they auction for how many billion?

Circledog

@usinternet.com

Minneapolis Wifi

I have Minneapolis Wifi....I pay for 3 down and 1 up, but am currently limited to 1/1 because they put a cap on it....the wife will be calling and getting a refund for the bandwidth we pay for but don't get. So far it's been solid, I haven't had any major issues and if they can get me up to my 3/1 tier, I will be happy to have given crapcast the boot.

JMcHugh

@mn.us

Mpls.Wifi

The reviewer was downtown all the time...lots of mature trees with leaves in that area...not.
I certainly hope it all turns out well for our city, but by golly, they're going to have a long summer getting the advertised speeds to the exterior of all residential addresses...those tree canopies we have will be quite the challenge.

JMcHugh

captaino

@popp.net

mpls wifi

Wifi calcs should always be done in the summer time.

If at all, Wifi should always be a public utility, why add another layer of frustration.
Forums » Minneapolis Wi-Fi Network Working but Limited


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