Over the years I've been doing this, I've learned not to write (for publication) about what I've seen at trade shows I attend without inserting a filter of at least several days immersion back in the real world. Products and services that look like the greatest thing since (fill in the blank) begin to pale to their real significance with the distance of at least a few days. As I write this, it's been a full four days since WISPCON II ended, and I'm still suffering withdrawal.
I was honored to open WISPCON II with the keynote address bright and early(!) Monday morning. I have copied my presentation to WISPCON II's management for posting on their web page, but I'll get it PDF'ed and posted on my web page in the near future. In general (from memory), the points I made were:
- The Telecom industry as we know it is rapidly trending towards total meltdown. The physical infrastructure and their business models are simply not sustainable in a climate of ubiquitous, low cost, commodity services based on TCP/IP (everything is IP bits, just route 'em.)
- Like it or not, ready (WISPs, their systems and the Internet as a whole) or not, IP is the communications infrastructure of the very near future. Because of their cost-effective, sustainable, and scalable infrastructure WISPs are the forerunners of the new Telecom industry.
- A quote from Craig Mundie from his recent Congressional testimony stating that Broadand Wireless Internet Access using license-exempt spectrum is critical for the nation to achieve three-way (satellite-based Broadband Internet Access for consumers doesn't appear to be a serious contender) competition to offer broadband services. The evolution of the WISP industry is clearly being watched closely by Microsoft.
- Technology of the near-term includes Wireless Hot Spots, the emergence of open-source mesh networking, new technologies such as phased-array antennas, and new systems emerging such as Motorola Canopy
- WISPs, current and near-future, have never before been blessed with so much support in products and services
- What's happening in Washington really does matter, and such goings-on will affect individual WISPs, and they'd better band together for rapid and effective advocacy in Washington through membership in the License Exempt Alliance and WCA before it's too late.
I'm excited about what I saw at WISPCON II. The WISP industry, generally using license-exempt spectrum, is very much alive and well. I talked to WISPCON II attendees who had been to other such events earlier in the year for WISPs and Hot Spots that said that WISPCON II was, by far, the best such event of the year. The energy level was amazing; I was witness to three spontaneous collaborations (one that was so compelling that I was drawn into it... and I'm just supposed to be an observer.)
WISPCON II seminar sessions were well-attended and on-point. Potential WISPs could find education sessions for all their questions, from technology, to operational, to the finer points of tower-climbing safety. There were a few sessions that were far too self-serving, and it was gratifying that complaints were taken seriously by WISPCON II's management, assuring that the offenders won't be doing future WISPCON presentations.
PART-15.ORG Awards
I was among a select group that were presented the first-ever PART-15.ORG Awards for 2002 by PART-15.ORG Vice
Chairman Lynn Kline:
- WISP of the Year - ShreveNet (Allen Marsalis) - For distinguished service to the deployment, viability, advancement, and
pursuit of the License Exempt Wireless Internet Service Providers industry objectives and those of the PART-15 Organization.
- Manufacturer of the Year - Redline Communications (Kevin Suitor) - It is awarded for outstanding contribution to design, support, innovation, and commitment to the License Exempt Wireless Internet Service Providers Industry through the medium of innovative products, emerging technologies or systems, which have resulted in major advancements the License Exempt Wireless Internet Service Providers Industry.
- Advocate of the Year - FOCUS on Broadband Wireless [Internet Access] (Steve Stroh) - This Advocacy Leadership Award is reflective of the preeminent stature in the eyes of the License Exempt - Wireless Internet Service Providers Industry whose inspirational, creative, and professional contributions have been extraordinarily successful, exemplary, and persuasive in pursuing the recognition and advancement of the License Exempt - Wireless Internet Service Providers Industry.
- Reseller of the Year - Electro-Comm (Mike Brownson) - This award is for Outstanding Contributions to the field of exemplary
customer sales and support and meeting important needs of the License Exempt - Wireless Internet Service Providers Industry.
- Consultant of the Year - Marlon Schafer - To recognize outstanding contributions and commitment to the support and
integration of wireless technologies and equipment, whose outstanding professional contributions exemplify the License Exempt - Wireless Internet Service Providers Industry.
- Presidents Choice Award - ISP-Planets (Company) - The PART-15.ORGs President's Choice Award is the organizations highest
award. It is presented to those individuals or companies who have attained preeminence through outstanding contributions to the License Exempt - Wireless Internet Service Providers Industry.
Concurrent with WISPCON II, the License Exempt Alliance announced that L. Douglas Keeney, CEO of US Wireless Online of Louisville, KY has been elected Chairman of the LEA. I was able to spend some time getting to know Keeney, and I was impressed. Keeney brings a new perspective to the LEA at this critical juncture when the long-term future of use of license-exempt spectrum for the next decade or more will be decided.
Future WISPCONs are slated for Europe (January / February 2003, place To Be Determined), US - March (Chicago), US - Fall (likely not Chicago, will float year-to-year), and Asia-Pacific (time / place To Be Determined).
Bottom line - Folks... If you're really, truly want to see what's really possible with license-exempt wireless equipment, WISPCON is the only place where you can see the best of it, all in one place. Period. If a vendor didn't appear at WISPCON, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that they don't want to be doing business in the WISP industry, or too marginal to afford an appearance.
Jim Wagner, Managing Editor of ISP-Lists.com, is writing a series of good articles about WISPCON II for ISP-Planet. To date:
Equipment Makers Stretch the Limits, Getting Down to Wi-Fi Business, and Have WISPs Finally Found Their Voice?
Comments
1:13:14 PM 
|
|
