Considering a new business idea? How about a WISP?

Who needs you the most? Places without broadband at all!

When most folks think of ISPs, they think of the cable company and the phone company – and they don’t have a great reputation.   As an independent Wireless Internet Service Provider, you have the chance to challenge that – and provide an awesome service for a reasonable price.  But people will be skeptical at first, or they might be on a contract and can’t easily switch providers.

When starting a WISP the first thing to go after is the highest density of homes that have no option at all besides dial-up or satellite.  To be honest, there aren’t many of these markets left – they’re becoming very rare.  But if you can find this mythical market, you have it easy.  Nobody likes dial-up, and satellite is laggy and expensive.

How do you find these places?  Unfortunately, the best option still seems to be to drive around and ask people.  Ask at the local computer store, gas stations, or if you have friends in the area.  If people are stuck with dial-up, they’ll be very excited to help you start a WISP bringing broadband to their area.

Do not trust the excited local who insists there are no options in their area.  They have not done all the research and even if they claim “I know everyone!” they may not have been asking the right questions or they may have honest but ulterior motives.  Where to open coverage is one of the most important decisions faced by an ISP, don’t cut corners or leave it up to others to do the research.

Competing against another WISP:  Doing it better for cheaper

More likely than the above, you’ll be i