TowerStream (http://www.towerstream.com) is a Wireless ISP in the Boston area providing T-1-equivalent (minimum) Internet Access service in the greater Boston area via a series of 5 or so Points of Presence (POPs). I became interested in TowerStream because they are using license-exempt 5 GHz spectrum in revenue WISP service in a major metropolitan area, something that the "experts" would tell you cannot be done... with any degree of reliability or success. One of the secrets to TowerStream's success is that they're deploying next-generation equipment from Aperto Networks, who I've written about previously and have been impressed with. Thanks to TowerStream and Aperto Networks, I was privileged to be given an impressive tour of TowerStream's primary Point of Presence in downtown Boston - the roof of the Prudential building.
To give you some idea of just how different a company TowerStream is, they advertise T-1 Internet Access service for $499/month a two-week install time service on 30 second radio spots. When's the last time you heard a T-1 being advertised on the radio? For me, in Seattle, only at the height of the dot-com frenzy.
An in-depth article of my impressions of TowerStream will be in an upcoming issue of FOCUS On Broadband Wireless Internet Access.
Steve Stroh
Copyright © 2002-2004 by Steve Stroh. This article originally appeared on my original Broadband Wireless Internet Access Weblog hosted on Radio Userland.
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