Wireless ISPs proliferate

Piecing together equipment, spectrum highlights small operators' strategy

The growing demand for high-speed data connections is spawning a number of wireless start-ups that offer cheap and quick-to-install systems. These companies often piece together true mosaic networks, using combinations of off-the-shelf equipment and whatever spectrum they can get their hands on-buying or leasing licensed spectrum or operating in unlicensed frequencies. Each also has a unique go-to-market strategy.

Two such companies have been rolling out markets recently. IJNT International just launched service in Orange County, Calif., and plans to launch service in San Francisco today. The company is a nationwide Internet service provider that uses wireless technologies wherever it makes sense, said Craig Stein, vice president of sales for IJNT.

Although far more IJNT customers use dial-up connections, the company may upgrade some existing customers to wireless in the future, Stein said. IJNT builds most markets with Hybrid Networks and BreezeCOM equipment.

Another company, SkyLynx, recently began offering high-speed wireless data connections in Fresno, Calif. Also using Hybrid equipment and equipment from other vendors, SkyLynx targets second-tier cities. The Sarasota, Fla.-based company buys local ISPs, then offers to migrate some existing business users to wireless.

But the strategy isn't winning over everyone. "It seems expensive," said Dave Reynolds, president and founder of the Kaigon Group. Wavepath has a similar yet more efficient strategy. It partners with ISPs, which then pay the company a percentage of monthly service revenues.

Allegiance Telecom, a competitive local exchange carrier, initiated service in the San Francisco area. The company also plans to roll out facilities-based services in Boston and Oakland, Calif., later this year.

GST Telecommunications launched two new ISDN products targeting business customers and Internet service providers. FasTrunk PRI allows two-way voice and data traffic, and ISPRI provides inbound termination.

ISP PSINet activated a portion of dark fiber that it acquired from Metromedia Fiber Network. The fiber lit covers New York City.

Englewood, Colo.-based CLEC Convergent Communications has deployed IEX Corp.'s DaVinci service node. The company will place Lucent Definity G3 PBX switches on-site and connect them to the DaVinci service node through dedicated T-1s, allowing call authorization, network call routing andaccount nodes.