Point to Point Wireless Bridges by CoastWorks Internet

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Fixed Broadband Wireless Bridges

Point to Point Wireless Bridges

There are several types of wireless broadband data delivery methods in service, or soon to come on-stream. Each has its strengths and weaknesses:

Licensed Microwave links have been used for years for linking private networks, especially for "backhaul" for major communication carriers and broadcasters. These systems are point -to-point, and operate in a range between 1.7 to 40.0 GHz. In the North America, the government has set aside the 21.2 to 23.6 GHz band for private use. The typical range is five miles, but can be as much as twenty miles under optimal conditions. Bandwidth can be as much as 155 Mbps, but is typically used for 45 Mbps or less. The use of licensed spectrum virtually eliminates interference problems with and from other transmitters. These licenses have fees and are typically tied to a given physical location.
Unlicensed Spread Spectrum Microwave functions similarly to licensed microwave systems (above), utilizing spectrum reserved for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) use, and as the name implies, no license is required for its use. Bands of ISM spectrum are at 902 to 928 MHz, 2.4 to 2.483 GHz and 5.750 GHz to 5.825 GHz. Recently another 300 MHz of unlicensed spectrum has been added between 5.725 GHz and 5.825 GHz, known as the UNII band. In order to avoid interference from other radio installations and devices (X-Ray machines, microwave ovens etc.) using these bands, microwave radios use spread spectrum techniques that rapidly spread their signal between many different frequencies in the band.
Wi-Fi systems were developed to connect users to a LAN inside buildings without cabling to each work station. These systems normally use the 802.11b standard, and transmit in the 2.4 GHz spectrum at speeds up to 11 Mbps. Although these systems have a normal range of about 300 feet with their built in antennas, they can be used effectively at much greater distances outdoors if they are connected to special antennas and amplifiers. There is a high risk of interference from the multitude of cordless phones, microwaves and wireless LANs in urban areas but at urban edge and beyond these systems can be very effective

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