MapleNet builds wireless WAN’s for schools using the same carrier-grade equipment used by cellular companies, utilities and the U.S. government.

Wireless solutions have become a viable alternative to fiber and leased lines. Services such as video-conferencing, distance learning, hosted applications, SAN, VOIP and remote management continually increase the bandwidth required on the WAN's. Wireless provides reliable and scalable bandwidth to meet current and future needs.

Wireless solutions also have a much shorter deployment time frame than leased lines and fiber builds. With wireless, schools can avoid right-of-way issues, pole attachment agreements, dealing with multiple providers and big corporation hassles.

MapleNet is an active member of numerous educational technology organizations and regularly participates in trade shows and seminars in Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

Visit the MapleNet Gallery to view some of our recent K-12 and higher education installations.

If your school already has a wireless system in place, MapleNet offers a variety of service retainers, pre-paid emergency services and equipment sparing options.

Contact Mike Hutter at 574.320.2908 for more information.    

MapleNet offers 50Mbps to Gigabit solutions from:

• Motorola
• Ceragon
• Ericsson
• Redline

Wireless Services for Education

A national leader in wireless WAN's for schools:

MapleNet Wireless has deployed wireless wide area networks for school districts throughout North America and the Caribbean.   As a turn-key contractor, MapleNet offers:

1. RFP development and support
2. Tower zoning, approvals and construction
3. Microwave system engineering, installation and support
4. Funding vehicles such as e-Rate and traditional leases

Wireless is a reliable and affordable alternative to leased lines and fiber build-outs.   The deployment timeframe for a wireless system can be as little as several weeks.

Frequently asked questions about wireless:

Q: Is wireless E-Rate elligible?
A: Yes, wireless is elligible for E-Rate reimbursement the same as leased services are from the phone or cable company.    Contact MapleNet to learn more about how wireless and E-Rate are a good match.   

Q: How secure are wireless networks?
A: Much of the concerns about wireless security concern 802.11b/g networks, which- without proper security measures- can be compromised with readily-available tools. MapleNet Wireless, however, deploys proprietary hardware with multiple levels of system security. In addition, point-to-point hardware solutions are designed to only associate with the mate in a pair. When deploying FCC licensed systems, the security risk is reduced, statistically, to zero.

Q: We've heard that wireless is less reliable than wire-based services; is this true?
A: A wireless system must be properly engineered to be reliable. In fact, a system that is properly engineered can exceed the availability of leased lines.

Q: Is it difficult or expensive to get a FCC license?
A: The FCC has set aside certain frequencies that are used by fixed broadband wireless systems. These systems deliver anywhere between 45Mbps and 1Gbps of bandwidth, and most feature side-band T-1's or DS-3's. MapleNet Wireless manages the process of licensing the system with the FCC. There is only a one-time fee for schools, and from there forward that license is owned by the school district.

Q: Our district is located in an area where they will not allow towers; do we have any wireless options?
A: Yes. Where towers are not possible, MapleNet Wireless often deploys OFDM solutions that have various near- and non-line-of-sight capabilities. MapleNet Wireless also works with districts and tower owners to co-located equipment. In addition, if a district can not build towers, quite often the lights at the athletic field can be modified to hold antennas.

Q: Do we need a full duplex system?
A: Full duplex has the advantage, of course, of being able to transmit and receive simultaneously. The disadvantage for unlicensed systems is that full duplex requires more of the RF spectrum, because these systems use one frequency channel to transmit, and a separate channel to receive. In many areas, unlicensed full duplex systems are more susceptible to interference. Licensed systems, while using two channels, are not subject to interferences.

With advances in radios, full duplex does not have as much importance as it once did. Redline, for example, uses "dynamic duplexing" which is a highly efficient switching between transmit and receive based on traffic loads. The system is so efficient, in fact that it can emulate switch T-1's and can carry VOIP and video traffic.