MetroNetIQ Vendor Directory: Last Mile

This is one of the meatiest parts of the Directory. These vendors make products that form the foundation of the wireless infrastructure that will, in turn, form the backbone of your network and your value proposition. Spend your time with these companies, get to know their products, and you will learn a wealth of knowledge about wireless in the process.

The challenge here is that with WiMax, we are at the birth of a new industry, with new industry standards for manufacturers less than six months old and products only now coming off the line: most of the vendors in this directory make pre-WiMax gear. With Wi Fi Mesh, we're in ever deeper water. There is no industry standard to guide prospective network owners on the relative merits of Wi Fi Mesh vendors.

As I see it you have options. You can examine these on your own, get on the phone and get on the emails - meet these people and make your own assessments on where you want to plant your flag. Alternately, you can work with your neighbors - divide and conquer. I call that Regional Collaboration. Or, you can check out the Consultant area of this directory and get a little preliminary help. Contact MetroNetIQ, or one of the many quality consultants in the directory. Get some insight on who's who before going further, the money you spend will be a sound investment in your future.

For, you see, there are a lot of quality companies in these lists, and there are any number of entrepreneurs and pioneers who just may have the killer product that becomes the basis for the next industry standard, or alternately, they may have the next Betamax idea that ends up on the slag heap of history.

Not to despair, that's what this directory is for. Happy Hunting!