Wireless Regulations

I'm trying to wade my way through the FCC's website to figure this out, but thought I would post here as well as I'm sure somebody has already checked this out before.

What are the limitations/legalities involved in broadcasting 802.11? Is this considered a "public band" that anybody can use, and if so what about businesses using it to profit? For instance, what about an ISP; can they legally erect an ariel and sell wireless internet service by broadcasting on this band?

I know that CB's for vehicles are considered a "citizens band" and can be freely used, but is supposedly illegal for a business to use (such as a taxi company using it for dispatching, etc.)

Anybody have any insight on this?

900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, and some other frequencies are unlicensed frequencies which can be used for commercial or private use. However, these frequencies are subject to various power limitations which limits their suitability for some uses. A while back the FCC forced Linksys to redesign their wireless LAN equipment because of excessive power output. This link might be the sort of thing you'd be interested in. http://www.bbwexchange.com/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by slgrieb

..redesign their wireless LAN equipment because of excessive power output...

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This is what limits it commercially, I suppose you could run around setting up points every couple of hundred metres or so, but that's gonna be expensive .. the regulations on this differ by country.

Working out how to measure this though, is hard enough ! check this [pdf] out if you want something to wade through .. :eek2:

Found this whilst googling as well, which doesn't answer it either ! :D but does talk about the kind of things you seem to be looking at.

I think this does answer it ! :thumbs:

Maximum Output Power, Geographic Location, Compliance Document

1000 mW.........................USA.................... ....FCC 15.247
100 mW (EIRP).................EUROPE ..................ETS 300-328
10 mW/MHz.....................JAPAN..................... MPT ordinance 79

Hey thanks Confus-ed...great info!

Thanks for the info all!!