Metropolitan-scale Wi-Fi mesh networks

Standardization, widespread vendor adoption, low cost, and ease of use have all contributed to the explosive growth in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) wireless broadband networks. Wi-Fi access is now available on most notebook computers and personal digital assistants. However, the limited reach of Wi-Fi propagation and high cost of installing and maintaining a wired network backhaul connection have limited Wi-Fi network deployments to homes, offices, public hot spots, and some wide-area hot zones. In addition, installing, managing, and scaling multiple hot spots is difficult. Dense-cellular Wi-Fi mesh networking has the potential to bridge this digital divide, foster economic development, increase public safety organizations´ efficiency and effectiveness, and connect communities. The technology is making it possible, for the first time, to create truly unwired cities.