Technology - February 2002

Broadband Wireless Offers Advantages for Business

by Jason Neiberger

The number of wireless broadband connections doubled last year as the popularity and need for wireless Internet among both small and large businesses expanded across the nation. Customer demand for broadband technology is strong despite the struggles of the economy and the failures of some prominent Internet service providers (ISPs). There are several clear reasons why a growing number of businesses are turning to broadband wireless Internet service – it is widely available, cost-effective, highly reliable and can be installed quickly.

Broadband wireless utilizes a radio signal to connect each computer to the Internet. Providers install antennas - rarely visible to people on the ground - on top of each customer location. The antenna directs a radio signal to the nearest access point and the customer receives high-speed bandwidth through that line. The broadcast access sites for the network can be remotely managed and upgraded, eliminating the timely and costly practice of visiting each customer site. Most upgrades or improvements to the network and equipment can be done without the customer even being aware of them.

Using broadband wireless can create many economic advantages for business customers. Broadband wireless Internet service is less expensive than digital subscriber line (DSL), which utilizes fiber-optic cables. Broadband wireless is about two-thirds the cost of DSL and, once installed, offers lower ongoing expenses. Broadband wireless service also offers significant reach over DSL and cable modems, especially in Las Vegas, where the center of the valley is much lower in altitude than the perimeter. This terrain is ideal for the line-of-sight technology of fixed broadband wireless services, as the Las Vegas business community is dispersed throughout the valley without a downtown centralization.

DSL is effective for a maximum distance of 18,000 cable feet from the central serving center of a local carrier. This three-mile circle eliminates nearly one-half of the business community in Las Vegas. Cable modems are limited because of capacity constraints caused by sharing cables with a large residential user base. Wireless offers a unique solution for these constraints.

Broadband wireless also offers reliable Internet connection. The Internet is an integral part of business operations in many industries. Broadband wireless Internet service provides a backup link to ensure continued service if the main line goes down. This reliability is especially invaluable to casino slot operations, and provides for minimal maintenance in the 24-hour service and entertainment industry. Another benefit of broadband wireless Internet technology is its quick installation time. In most cases, wireless service can be installed in 72 hours or less, with no interruption in current service.

Despite the fact that wireless technology relies upon radio transmissions for fast, cost-effective service, it is extremely secure and private. Broadband wireless technology has been used by the military for several years and provides a secure radio signal that is nearly impossible to interfere with or to intercept. The technology employs a high-speed code sequence. Data is scrambled in a nearly random pattern prior to transmission and processed by an encoder before being sent. The encoder ensures data integrity and corrects any errors in transmission. For businesses that require additional privacy, such as casinos with progressive slots, wireless service can offer a point-to-point private connection to the main or secondary link to ensure security.

Las Vegas and other parts of Nevada are prime markets for broadband wireless Internet service. The rapid growth of the Nevada population and the huge influx of businesses that has accompanied this growth, demand fast, reliable and cost-effective Internet service. Broadband wireless fills that niche.

Jason Neiberger
Jason Neiberger is chief technical officer for Las Vegas-based LANwaves, Inc., a provider of point-to-point connections and fixed wireless broadband Internet access.