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Why the hell are we not just using beam forming with WiFi? Why are we restricting the construction of computer networks to some few privileged companies? What

by swiley 6y ago

Why the hell are we not just using beam forming with WiFi? Why are we restricting the construction of computer networks to some few privileged companies? What the hell is going on here?

r00fus 6y ago
Grift. Rent Seeking. The same old formula. Sadly it still works well today.
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
gruez 6y ago
>Why the hell are we not just using beam forming with WiFi? AFAIK the router I have from years ago is advertised to have "beam forming". Whether/how well it works is another story. >Why are we restricting the construction of computer networks to some few privileged companies? The theory is that building out networks in a planned/organized fashion would produce better results than ad-hoc deployment. See sibling comment: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25652088 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25652088
- CameronNemo 6y ago
  Organization does not necessarily mean monopolization. Open standards/protocols with several operators is not only possible, but desirable. An ecosystem without diversity is death.
supertrope 6y ago
There's more to wireless networks than just radio technology. Contemporary cellular service is made possible with low interference licensed spectrum ($0.XX per MHz per million residents), real estate (towers) $$$$/mo each, fiber backhaul ($$$$/mo each), and an army of workers. Telcos each spend billions of USD per year on CAPEX. Spectrum auctions are better than the previous allocation method of licensing channels for specific uses. If companies have to pay money they will efficiently deploy it, unlike incumbent users that refuse to digitize, simulcast on extra channels, or even leave it idle.
- swiley 6y ago
  Spectrum auctions and allocation are both worse than unlicensed use. Having specific users for high power stuff kind of makes sense but requiring another (specific) company to be involved to build short range wireless networks in your own building is stupid.
tradertef 6y ago
WiFi has been using beamforming (explicit beamforming) since 11ac. Not sure what do you mean by "few privileged companies". This has nothing to do with beamforming.

by swiley 6y ago

Why the hell are we not just using beam forming with WiFi? Why are we restricting the construction of computer networks to some few privileged companies? What the hell is going on here?

r00fus 6y ago

Grift. Rent Seeking. The same old formula. Sadly it still works well today.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

gruez 6y ago

>Why the hell are we not just using beam forming with WiFi? AFAIK the router I have from years ago is advertised to have "beam forming". Whether/how well it works is another story. >Why are we restricting the construction of computer networks to some few privileged companies? The theory is that building out networks in a planned/organized fashion would produce better results than ad-hoc deployment. See sibling comment: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25652088 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25652088

CameronNemo 6y ago
Organization does not necessarily mean monopolization. Open standards/protocols with several operators is not only possible, but desirable. An ecosystem without diversity is death.

supertrope 6y ago

There's more to wireless networks than just radio technology. Contemporary cellular service is made possible with low interference licensed spectrum ($0.XX per MHz per million residents), real estate (towers) $$$$/mo each, fiber backhaul ($$$$/mo each), and an army of workers. Telcos each spend billions of USD per year on CAPEX. Spectrum auctions are better than the previous allocation method of licensing channels for specific uses. If companies have to pay money they will efficiently deploy it, unlike incumbent users that refuse to digitize, simulcast on extra channels, or even leave it idle.

swiley 6y ago
Spectrum auctions and allocation are both worse than unlicensed use. Having specific users for high power stuff kind of makes sense but requiring another (specific) company to be involved to build short range wireless networks in your own building is stupid.

tradertef 6y ago

WiFi has been using beamforming (explicit beamforming) since 11ac. Not sure what do you mean by "few privileged companies". This has nothing to do with beamforming.