Hardware Platforms
Access Point / CPE Manufacturers
Here are some of the companies that make access point and CPE equipment. (Reminder: the Access Point goes at your relay site and multiple CPE devices can connect to it - one CPE device will go on each customer’s rooftop.)
In some cases it’s possible to mix and match hardware manufacturers for Access Points and CPEs but you’ll get the best performance if you use the same for both.
Announcing the Better Broadband Video Series
I will be creating a series of videos walking through the process of planning a new broadband network in a specific city or community. Tell me about your community and why you need better broadband to have it included in the video series.
Ubiquiti
If you’re unsure about what to choose, Ubiquiti is a great place to start. Ubiquiti hardware is not the best on all metrics but it is definitely the cheapest and is very user-friendly. As of this writing the latest Ubiquiti equipment is the AirMax AC platform and includes Access Points, CPE equipment and Backhauls.
Ubiquiti also makes most other equipment you will need to run a WISP like higher capacity backhauls, switches (outdoor and indoor) and routers.
Radwin
RADWIN’s JET base stations place quality broadband within the reach of wireless ISPs. Offering revolutionary Bi-Beam™ beamforming technology, WISPs can scale network capacity to provide home consumers with a broadband experience that is free from interference in unlicensed bands. Serving both residential and enterprise customers, RADWIN JET supports various capacity levels from 500Mbps to 1.5Gbps.
MikroTik
MikroTik makes unlicensed wireless equipment as well as many other hardware products needed to run a WISP such as routers and switches.
Bai Cells
Bai Cells makes LTE equipment for use in fixed wireless networks. This is different from most other companies that use Wi-Fi chipsets with some software modifications. LTE has some distinct advantages over Wi-Fi descended systems.
Mimosa
Mimosa is a newer company gaining traction with low-cost products that compete with Ubiquiti.
Cambium
Another competitor to Ubiquiti and Mimosa.
Backhaul Manufacturers
Each of these companies makes a variety of Point to Point backhauls with different features and price points.
Siklu
BridgeWave
SAF
Dragonwave
Other Equipment
Altelix
Small, inexpensive outdoor enclosures.
DDB Unlimited
Large rack-mount style outdoor enclosures. AC and heating options.
Shireen
Shireen makes a great, inexpensive, outdoor rated, shielded CAT5e cable.
MultiLink
Enclosures and various other items for carriers.
Distributors
Here are some of the U.S. based distributors that sell hardware from these manufacturers as well as the other items you’ll need to run a WISP. I’m not ranking these in any way - check with each of them to see who has a warehouse close to you and who can get the best prices on the items you need in the volume you’re looking for.
You can also order nearly anything you need to get started from Amazon but the pricing won’t be as good as you can get in bulk from the above suppliers.