NOTE: We continually update our workshop contents to keep up with the rapidly-changing wireless ISP business. The general outline for our "Classic 1-Day Workshop"™ is listed below however, because of the interactive nature of the workshop, we cover many additional topics, including WiMAX and Mesh networking, depending on the needs and interests of our workshop attendees.

1. Introductions
Introductions and content overview.

2. The "Real World" - What is it?
Outdoor networks are not "plug and play". Understand the challenges of deploying a wireless network outdoors. Learn about the "real-world" issues like line-of-sight, fresnel zone, terrain, trees, weather, noise, and interference from other networks.

3. Fundamentals of WISP Success
Learn how to minimize cost, deliver reliable service, select equipment, manage your customers expectations, and deal with local wireless competitors. Learn what has worked for other wireless operators and what has not worked.

4. Understanding Wireless Principles
Your understanding of wireless principles is the foundation that you use when you build your wireless business. Learn about wireless propagation. Learn how to work with dBs, calculate power levels and link budgets, measure fade margin, and keep the fresnel zone clear. Understand when to use direct-sequence spread spectrum and when to use frequency-hopping spread spectrum equipment and when to use them both. Learn how to evaluate performance claims for "non-line-of-sight" (NLOS) equipment.

5.Antenna Selection and Design
Antennas are the single most important part of a wireless system because they determine your service area and at the same time, they expose you to interference. Learn antenna principles so you can select the proper antennas based on gain, beamwidth, and polarization needs. Learn about mounting height, downtilt, and diversity. .

6. The Installation Process
An efficient low-cost installation process is crucial to your success. Learn antenna mounting techniques, cable selection, waterproofing, lightning protection, tower safety, and tower leasing. Learn how to build serviceable networks and how to test and monitor your completed installations.

7. Equipment Selection
Ask questions about different equipment advantages and disadvantages. Now you will be able to apply your knowledge of wireless principles, real-world issues, installation issues, and marketing hype, to choose the best equipment for your market area, interference environment, and budget.

8. Network Design Principles
Poor network design causes many time-consuming problems. Avoid this frustration by learning effective network design principles. Learn to design sectored networks, select low-noise access point locations, reuse frequencies, manage bandwidth, build repeaters, and scale your network up to serve more users.

9. Reducing Interference and Noise
You must understand the techniques used to minimize noise and interference. Learn the causes of interference and how to apply noise-reduction techniques. Get a hands-on demonstration of how to use a spectrum analyzer to evaluate the level of noise and interference before you commit to locating your access point on a specific site.

10. Putting it All Together - WISP Success
Learn how to determine your "overselling" ratio, evaluate the profitability of selling wireless service, find skilled employees, proactively monitor your network, build customer loyalty, provide network security, interpret FCC rules, and evaluate emerging wireless technologies.

11. Industry Update
We'll update you on the latest industry trends and show you how those trends could affect your network and your business. WiMAX, mesh networking, municipal networks, 4.9 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 3G, VoIP, MIMO, smart antennas. Learn which technologies will be useful and when to expect these technologies will be available, practical, and affordable.

Notes:
Questions, answers, and suggestions are encouraged at all times.

Spectrum analyzer use and site survey training is included.

Spreadsheet tools are demonstrated and distributed.