Wi-Fi Rev POP                                    Nowadays it is quite common to hear in the news the topic of Muni Wi-fi or the buzz words Wi-Fi, Mobile or Hot Spots.

Basically it is all fairly simple.  Someone brings in  broadband (high speed Internet access) to an area, this can be by connections such as DSL, Cable, Satellite, Wired or Wireless. That Internet service is than distributed over a common wireless device on the 2.4 GHz FCC unlicensed radio frequency.

Most laptops and PDAs have relative small antennas to pick up the signal.  The actual "Hot Spot" can only be picked up within an eighth of a mile cell area.  However with a cell extender mounted to a rooftop, in a window or balcony these Wi-Fi POP's (points of presense) can carry the signal well over 2 miles.  This type of service is called "fixed wireless".

When all is said and done, the end user gets to see their computer alert them that there is an unsecured connection, do you want to connect? 

When one is connecting to a Wi-Fi cell, or in industry terms POP (point of presence), there can be stipulations to the "free" Wi-Fi service.  Some Wi-Fi POP providers only allow for certain applications, i.e., surfing and web mail, some only allow for a certain period of time by logging your MAC address, and some only allow speeds that are equal to, or slightly exceed dialup speeds.

Most of the Wi-Fi POP's that we see today are run by ISP's, or in conjunction with a municipality.  Often the municipalities are paid for offering their "properties", i.e., rooftops, light poles, power, etc., for the ISPs to mount 802.11 b/g radios so that they can broadcast their signals. This type of service is called "fixed wireless".

St. Louis Broadband introduces:

Wi-POP is a revenue generating Wi-Fi Hot Spot and Fixed Wireless POP.

Wi-POP's offers free Wi-Fi access, as well as paid subscriptions for Fixed Wireless.

Property owners are compensated in many ways for participation in the Wi-POP program in exchange for their rooftop access.  Free business class service to their buildings, free Wi-Fi access for their tenants, a percentage of revenue generated by their POP's, and the thanks of their neighbors are the most common.

To be considered for a Wi-POP please contact us.