Articles on running a WISP: network design, monitoring, backhaul engineering, and lessons from operating a fixed-wireless ISP.https://swiftfox.nethttps://swiftfox.net/blog/multiple-gateways-as-you-growhttps://swiftfox.net/blog/multiple-gateways-as-you-growThe five gateway configurations WISPs grow through, from a single default route to full-tables BGP on ARM64 MikroTiks to geographically diverse gateways balanced with MPLS/TE, and the trade-offs of each.Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://swiftfox.net/blog/ipv4-strategieshttps://swiftfox.net/blog/ipv4-strategiesHow the IPv4 assignment strategies for WISPs compare, from per-AP public subnets and PPPoE to deterministic CGNAT and dual-stack IPv6, with the trade-offs for gaming, abuse handling, and law enforcement requests.Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://swiftfox.net/blog/building-robust-connections-tower-siteshttps://swiftfox.net/blog/building-robust-connections-tower-sitesWhy AP-repeater mode and subscriber repeaters undermine a WISP network — halved capacity, runaway oversubscription, security and management headaches — and why a dedicated point-to-point backhaul between every tower site is the right way to build.Wed, 20 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://swiftfox.net/blog/wisp-backup-power-solutionhttps://swiftfox.net/blog/wisp-backup-power-solutionHow to build a monitored, multi-day backup power system for a WISP tower site for under $500 using a Tripp Lite APS750 inverter/charger, off-the-shelf deep cycle batteries, and a simple IP-based grid power monitor — with run time and recharge calculations.Tue, 17 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://swiftfox.net/blog/importance-last-mile-network-monitoring-case-studyhttps://swiftfox.net/blog/importance-last-mile-network-monitoring-case-studyA case study in monitoring every last-mile connection with large per-minute pings instead of SNMP polls or CCQ: how Swift Fox PingLogs reveal outages, evening congestion, and access point load trends before subscribers start complaining.Fri, 16 May 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://swiftfox.net/blog/wisp-wholesale-internet-access-works-gethttps://swiftfox.net/blog/wisp-wholesale-internet-access-works-getHow a WISP secures wholesale internet gateway: finding fiber points of presence, asking for dedicated internet access (DIA), buying from IXPs and cable companies, IP transport as you grow, and relay towers when fiber is out of reach.Thu, 20 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://swiftfox.net/blog/wisp-pitfall-cable-modem-gatewayhttps://swiftfox.net/blog/wisp-pitfall-cable-modem-gatewayWhy oversubscribed cable, DSL, or GPON “Business Internet” connections make a poor upstream gateway for a WISP: compounded oversubscription ratios, no service level agreement, terms-of-service risk, and why bonding multiple modems only makes things worse.Mon, 17 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://swiftfox.net/blog/how-to-fix-802-11-hidden-node-wisphttps://swiftfox.net/blog/how-to-fix-802-11-hidden-node-wispExplains the 802.11 hidden node problem on long-range WISP networks — why CSMA fails when directional clients can’t hear each other — and compares the fixes: RTS/CTS, polling, and TDMA protocols like Ubiquiti AirMax and MikroTik NSTREME.Tue, 07 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://swiftfox.net/blog/starting-a-wisphttps://swiftfox.net/blog/starting-a-wispHow to pick the right market for a new wireless internet service provider: targeting areas with no broadband, competing against an underperforming WISP, why going head-to-head with cable and DSL rarely works, and how topography makes or breaks the business model.Wed, 04 Dec 2013 00:00:00 GMT