WISP Newbie
@pacbell.n
| Is Anoyone Making Any Money?
Is this worth it? I have put in countless hours reading and teaching myself everything I can about how to do this... never mind the hundreds of hours that will be spent on fixing the random problems that pop up. Is anyone making money at this racket? I would love to turn it into a strong business and a full time job... is that a realistic expectation? |
|
robbin
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
| said by WISP Newbie:
...Is anyone making money at this racket? I would love to turn it into a strong business and a full time job... is that a realistic expectation?
I think it is absolutely unrealistic to expect to turn this into a strong business and a full time job if you consider a WISP business to be a RACKET!  |
|
superdog
I Need A Drink
Premium,MVM
join:2001-07-13
Lebanon, PA
| said by robbin  :I think it is absolutely unrealistic to expect to turn this into a strong business and a full time job if you consider a WISP business to be a RACKET! If You are looking for a "RACKET", I suggest trying the tennis court. But if You are a WISP, You can forget that idea, as You won't have time. There is $$$ to be made in this business, but it is NOT a get rich quick scheme, and it requires long hours and hard work. If You are used to working 9 to 5 and staring at the TV for the rest of the night?, This job is not for You. You have to really love what You are doing to make it in this business, otherwise I suggest getting a job at Wendys!.:)
--
»www.wavecrazy.net Join WISPA today! »www.wispa.org/ |
|
cmaenginsb
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-19
Palmdale, CA
| reply to WISP Newbie
I'll echo Tim's comments. Many people start into the industry after reading all the hype and think it's easy to throw up and AP and have customers flock to you. Reality is far different.
Yes, depending on where you live you can make it pay your bills but getting it to grow without outside help takes a lot of time and patience. Don't expect a get rich quick with this business. |
|
polk5
join:2001-12-29
New Orleans, LA
| Like Tim said, you really have to love it. As much as I love this business I even thought about throwing in the towel more than once. I had a direct lightning hit about a year ago. July 5th to be exact. Blew up 4K of gear. Replaced all with new and got hit again 2 weeks later for 2K. I make good money off the Wisp part of the business but I put in alot of hours as well. Im just dragging in 1:00am Monday morning. Some kids pulled my disconnect at an old beer brewery across town.  You never know whats going to happen in this Business, Trust us.  |
|
wysockib9
join:2003-05-19
Corvallis, OR | Yes you should make very good money your 3rd or 4th year in operation. |
|
shamanfk
join:2001-03-12
Fort Kent, ME
| reply to WISP Newbie
You have to support your WISP,,until your WISP can support you..
YES, there is money to be made,,at some point the hard work delivers a low maintenance Network, and that's when you collect..
generally, you do not make any money until you stop building out the network: with low capital expenses, and a revenue stream you see positive cash flow.
--
Success is getting what you want; Happiness is wanting what you get. |
|
Diddy1
join:2003-07-19
Sidney, NE
| I've given myself a year to break even. That gives time to work out kinks etc. as I'm no expert at this technology either. However, if after a year I don't at least break even, I'll have to throw in the towel  But on the lighter side, what I'm doing is on a smaller scale than what most folks are doing here. After the whole thing is completed and rolled out, I'll only be dealing with 250-300 customers max(until I move to the next small town  )
Aaron |
|
40883644
Premium
join:2003-06-05
Parker, CO
| Aaron
You can be just as comfortable on a small scale as a large scale with less headaches. Grow at a pace your comfortable with and invest wisely. You may find that adding additional employees and a fleet of trucks isn't your idea of having fun.
Some of the most successful WISP's we sell to have started with nothing and were in debt. Grew an AP at a time spending their profits on more equipment.
I just received an e-mail last night from a WISP that has gone out of business looking for a buyer of his equipment. Although I hate to see this, it's no suprise when you see that he has multiple $14,000.00 Vivato outdoor switches for sale.
It's easier on your heart and pocket book if you grow slow.
Rich
HighGainAntennas.com |
|
superdog
I Need A Drink
Premium,MVM
join:2001-07-13
Lebanon, PA
| said by 40883644 :I just received an e-mail last night from a WISP that has gone out of business looking for a buyer of his equipment. Although I hate to see this, it's no suprise when you see that he has multiple $14,000.00 Vivato outdoor switches for sale. It's easier on your heart and pocket book if you grow slow. Rich HighGainAntennas.com This is so true!. I laugh to myself when I see a new WISP driving a brand new bucket truck. I could only use one in my area on one of ten installs, making it almost worthless, and a big time $$ pit. Another mistake I see is people buying big$$$ servers, racks and other items that wont be used at 100% of their capacity for years to come. It kills me when newbies buy Vivato switches too, I mean even some startups using Alvarion radios that we would consider normal have gone under because of not enough capitol, and poor business plans. As much as I hate to say it, all these guys are doing is creating great buys for me on ebay a year or so later!. I buy almost NOTHING new these days, and ebay has been my friend, and if it isn't Your friend as a WISP, You may need to look at what You are doing?
--
»www.wavecrazy.net Join WISPA today! »www.wispa.org/ |
|
chiefbmr
join:2003-04-08
College Station, TX
| reply to 40883644
said by 40883644 :I hate to see this, it's no suprise when you see that he has multiple $14,000.00 Vivato outdoor switches for sale. I don't know if I should be proud or ashamed that we have had $20 Dlink switches in metal enclosures for almost 2 years now without a hickup. Not too many cold days in Texas but 100 degrees is very common.
There is no reason to spend that amount of money on a switch for a startup WISP. You can always upgrade later. |
|
robbin
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
| Ahhhh -- it's a different kind of switch. The Vivato switch is a complete WIFI POP. Depending on the location, it could have been the best choice for deployment. How many miles of range do your $20 Dlink switches have? Probably none without adding APs -- all built in with the Vivato. |
|
John Galt
What...me panic??
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
| said by robbin :Ahhhh -- it's a different kind of switch. The Vivato switch is a complete WIFI POP. Depending on the location, it could have been the best choice for deployment. How many miles of range do your $20 Dlink switches have? Probably none without adding APs -- all built in with the Vivato. I agree...
The Vivato is quite the piece of gear...if it is deployed properly. Very advanced technology...
--
A is A |
|
polk5
join:2001-12-29
New Orleans, LA | Ya, but for what it accomplishes its hard to justify the money they are selling it for. Are they still selling these things anyway? |
|
chiefbmr
join:2003-04-08
College Station, TX | reply to WISP Newbie
Oops, guess I should have looked what the Vivato did. I just assumed it was a switch. It better be more than a WIFI POP for $14,000.00 |
|
