Investors

Moskaluk Inc. is working on creating a "Wireless Mobile Network" that will allow people to connect their computers, laptops, wireless appliance, etc. to the Internet.

The success of the Internet (which is a series of networks) has conclusively proven that Meshed Networking is the best way to build broadband networks. Combined with new IEEE standards and Wireless Technology, a new disruptive technology is beginning to emerge.

Wireless Mesh Networks are node routing systems in which devices assist each other in transmitting packets of information through the network.

The object is to further develop the wireless mobile network so that it can achieve its great potential. This is the first deployment of its kind in Canada.

As the Internet matures and becomes an integral part of our lives and lifestyles, society will demand mobile and universal high speed Internet access. Providing this access via the establishment of a Wireless Mesh Network is one of the goals of Moskaluk Inc. 

There are many advantages to facilitating and enabling this type of connectivity and forming a "wireless community". Consider what happens when a group of neighbours cooperate and forward each other’s data packets: they do not need to install individual Internet gateways; instead they can share faster, cost-effective Internet access via gateways that are distributed in their neighborhood. Information packets dynamically seek out the simplest and fastest route as they "hop" from one neighbour's node to another to reach the Internet through one of the distributed gateways.

A second advantage is that neighbours can cooperatively deploy backup technology and thus never have to worry about losing information due to a catastrophic disk failure.

A third advantage is that the openly sourced hardware and software allows a local vendor to be used, negating the need to go through a service provider to the Internet. Neighborhood community networks allow faster and easier dissemination of cached information that is relevant to the local community. Extrapolate this to the regional and national level and the possibilities are staggering.

Commercial based multi-hop wireless networks are disruptive to the current broadband Internet access paradigm that relies on cable and DSL connections having to be installed in each individual home. However, utilization of a mesh network is important because it encourages the free flow of information without any moderation or selective rate control. Compared to the large and unwieldy DSL and cable modem systems that are centrally managed, mesh networking is organic in nature - everyone in the neighbourhood cooperates and contributes resources to the network. To realize this dream, many challenging issues need to be addressed, including:

In the case of telecom services, investors are voting with their wallets. Internet service providers who use unlicensed portions of the radio spectrum to deliver fixed broadband wireless data service are gaining traction with subscribers in many markets. Whether they can establish meaningful momentum hinges on their ability to finance expansion.

An investor in Moskaluk Inc. will launch unlicensed wireless data service in Ontario as its first foray into the high-demand market for such services. The wireless ISP expects to inaugurate service in four more markets during the 2005 calendar year.

Unlicensed WISPs (wireless Internet service providers) bear watching because they are building networks and adding customers while services based on licensed broadband wireless technologies such as LMDS and MMDS are moribund. At a time when capital is tight, launching new services on the free spectrum between 2 and 4 GHz makes good financial sense.

Operation in the unlicensed bands has been a more successful model in this current climate; since these operators don't have huge debt loads.

Although unlicensed wireless data service doesn't require an ISP to invest heavily to purchase spectrum licenses, costs can still be significant. Launching a WISP involves more than just spending an average of $300,000 on equipment that can serve about 100,000 customers.

To quote a traditional business paradigm: "You still need people to do the truck roll, you still need marketing, customer care and billing."

Cost control factors and continuous quality improvement are two reasons why Moskaluk Inc. is focusing on business users. We are currently serving a smaller number of high-end customers.

The wireless ISP sector is already displaying signs of consolidation, mainly on a regional rather than a national basis. There is every reason to expect that this consolidation will continue and increase in scope.