Network Computingwww.networkcomputing.com

How Long Is Long Range? This raises the question of exactly what the FCC meant when it gave its blessing to "longer-range community networks." Given the active opposition of incumbent spectrum owners like PCS operator Pacific Telesis, which argued that the use of free U-NII spectrum for long-range communications would violate requirements for regulatory parity, the FCC had to tread lightly, "murkifying" its pronouncements while burying the meat of the issue in the technical specifications. It is in this domain that the real battle will be fought. Right now there's no telling how things will turn out, particularly since the report and order includes no prohibition against repeaters. In addition, with no spectrum etiquette to enforce responsible b ehavior, savvy developers may be drawn to "meanest dog on the block" protocol architectures designed to make sure that in a head-to-head conflict between competing systems, theirs will be the signal that gets through.

Advocat es of community networking had best dig a little deeper before placing all their hopes on technology that doesn't exist yet. In fact, 2.4-GHz spread-spectrum LAN bridges are getting quite aggressive in their range claims, making them the first stop on any shopping expedition. In addition, private microwave links in the 23-GHz band offer an excellent alternative for last-mile communications, providing honest end-user data rates of 10 Mbps over distances up to 10 miles, with no recurring user fees. There is little congestion in this band, particularly in rural areas, and the transmissions are highly directional, making frequency coordination simple. While line-of-sight is a must, ranges can be stretched even further than 10 miles if users are willing to accept a little down time during heavy rainstorms.

An interesting new line of products from Southwest Microwave (www.smicom.com), targeted at the networking rather than the traditional telecommunications market, offer what amounts to a wireless-wire for LAN interconnection. Because the system is essentially bit-transparent, there's no special Media Access Control (MAC) layer to fuss with, and no throughput overhead. Users get a dish, a box and a standard 10BASE-2, 10BASE-T or AUI connection, and they can plug and play. The gear, running from $12,000 to $17,000 for both ends of a link, is still a bit pricey for hard-luck school districts, but the payback compared to leased-line rates can come in less than a year. Heck, the payback compared to a unionized school teacher isn't too bad either.

For areas in which spectrum congestion may be a problem, Southwest Microwave recently announced an unlicensed product in the little known 24-GHz ISM band. Using a compact 9-inch dish that can be mounted on the side of a building or aimed through a window, ranges up to a half a mile can be achieved, certainly good enough for many campus type installations.

All in all, this is good news for budget minded do-it-yourselfers. The U-NII ruling should stimulate further wireless data development, and if the products end up even half as good as the hype, we can all kiss monthly leased-line tariffs good-bye.

Bill Frezza is the President of Wireless Computing Associates. He can be reached via e-mail at frezza@interramp.com or at his online forum at techweb.cmp.com/nc/frezza/frezza.html.