> The main problem with this way of transmitting is that you are on unregulated parts of the radio spectrum.
Traditionally this is true and is still mostly true today, but a ton of WISPs picked up PAL licenses in the CBRS band and are using that. Also, as you mentioned, in practice "jamming" equipment is uncommon (and very illegal!)
Also I always recommend that folks use licensed or FCC registered links for their wireless backhaul, which limits the amount problems you'll get from interference.
> I was wondering about laser modems. It could never be jammed without some kind of expensive and conspicuous physical intervention. I would feel much more comfortable investing in that even if lasers were more expensive or a pain in the ass.
I've used some of these device (called "open air optical.") They're ok for very short range connections, but over anything more than a few hundred yards the performance of wireless is much better.
> Not that it matters. 5G is going to put all these guys out of business.
As a WISP you have the option of deploying 5G networks. It's expensive, but might be worth it. Many, many WISPs (myself included), operate fixed 4G LTE networks, and 5G is the next step. I haven't dabbled in 5G yet, but I have sales people calling me somewhat regularly ready to sell the gear. To the extent that 5G will live up to it's promises, WISPs are well positioned to take advantage of it.
Freedomfi (https://freedomfi.com/) is selling hardware later this year which will allow you to become your own cell tower for 5G CBRS bands, based on Facebook's magma project. You can backhaul a 5G modem/antenna, offload to a major MNO/MVNO, and get paid $.50 per gb consumption, paid in Helium HNT crypto (yes, crypto). Its still a big work in progress but could totally unlock private deployments of 5G networks and make them almost as easy as setting up wifi.
> The main problem with this way of transmitting is that you are on unregulated parts of the radio spectrum.
Traditionally this is true and is still mostly true today, but a ton of WISPs picked up PAL licenses in the CBRS band and are using that. Also, as you mentioned, in practice "jamming" equipment is uncommon (and very illegal!)
Also I always recommend that folks use licensed or FCC registered links for their wireless backhaul, which limits the amount problems you'll get from interference.
> I was wondering about laser modems. It could never be jammed without some kind of expensive and conspicuous physical intervention. I would feel much more comfortable investing in that even if lasers were more expensive or a pain in the ass.
I've used some of these device (called "open air optical.") They're ok for very short range connections, but over anything more than a few hundred yards the performance of wireless is much better.
> Not that it matters. 5G is going to put all these guys out of business.
As a WISP you have the option of deploying 5G networks. It's expensive, but might be worth it. Many, many WISPs (myself included), operate fixed 4G LTE networks, and 5G is the next step. I haven't dabbled in 5G yet, but I have sales people calling me somewhat regularly ready to sell the gear. To the extent that 5G will live up to it's promises, WISPs are well positioned to take advantage of it.