WISP is a form of internet providing by using a network running through wireless sources. Wireless Internet Service Providers began in rural areas of the United States where users were unable to access the internet via cable or DSL options.
To get a connection using WISP, connection points need to be established. First connection points will need to be placed facing towards a central point. Then a high point is required for the WISP equipment to be placed, a high point such as water or radio tower, where the connections are able ‘see’ each other and connect the wireless waves. Consumers may want to install a satellite dish or antenna on the home to create a better wireless connection between points. Telecommunications providers will pay good money to have their WISP technology placed on high property, such as light posts or high buildings.
In 1992, in the town of Laramie, Wyoming, Brett Glass of Lariat which is a non-profit rural telecommunication cooperative offered WISP to businesses. WAVElan equipment was used and they sent waves through an unlicensed 900MHz radio band. They offered for-profit service to private users in 2003.
A US Federal Communications Commission was started in 2005 to ensure that the use and distribution of 3650MHz WISP was safe and fair. In 2007 licensing and registration processes were put into place to unsure customers were receiving the service they require.
A South African telecommunications company Internet Office Parks started using WISP in the country to provide internet access to providers as the countries main telecommunications provider, Telkom, were not able to provide the service for the demand.
Security concerns were raised through Internet Office Parks service being provided and this caused them to shut down as instructed by Telkom, the South African Telco.
Where in the world do you think has the highest Wi-Fi access points, the US, UK or Europe? Well, it is the Czech Republic where there are over 879 WISP access points available for users to access in all different locations.
WISP offer services like VoIP or Voice over IP which is a Virtual Private Networking service. You will more then likely find WISP technology in rural areas where they have trouble getting access to DSL or cable internet due to being so remote. A new program with faster and bigger equipment is coming onto the market known as WiMAX, this program is hoping to also make mobile data transmission easily and more readily available for users.
This technology in the beginning was expensive, to have the equipment installed it would cost a customer up to $1000, and the monthly fees were almost $150 for usage. Today thought installation costs may not even be required and monthly usage fees are much lower, usually only around $30, and that cost comes with more speed and downloads.
So that providers of WISP can all work together and give customers fair price and service an alliance has been set up, this alliance shows WISPr protocol on the best way that providers can run their inter-operator roaming and inter-networking service.