Author
Greetings Simango
I think someone has already made comments in relation
to the Geo-physical distances that you would like to
cover in Binga and that the power budget calculations
could be influenced by free space loss for those
distances of 85km between masts. I would be concern
that reliability will be compromised unless there is
clear LoS between the points, and knowing Binga I
guess not.
My experinece so far has indicated that using
off-the-shelf commercial grade (with hardened outdoor
electronics!) WiFi kit, you will get equipment that
has throughput curves effective at between 15 and 20
km. That means in your case, repeaters along the way
and therefore a question of power (in the bush) and
security.
I am sure you have done modelling in terms of what
connectivity solution you would prefer and your Total
Cost of Ownership points you towards WiFi. However
with all this equipment that needs to be installed,
protected, powered - a less equipmnet intense
solution should prevail. If you get a satelitte link
to a central point and then mix and match with WiFi
for sites at less than 20km, that might help.
The project that my organisdation is executing and you
came and saw at the school in Highfields Harare is
working at distances of not more than 8 km betwen
access point and bridge and all I can say is that the
network has been tempremental at times and distnaces
issues and alignmnet have been problems.
I will give you regulatory recommendations for ISM.
Countries like South Africa and its "FCC" equivalent
ICASA, have simply turned a blind eye and self
regulation is working in places. More later
Muroro Dziruni
Connect Africa - Zimbabwe
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