Signal ISP Wireless - anybody got tech details?

[ArgMeMatey]

100 Mbps for $50, presumably plus tax, in the Milwaukee area, from Ethoplex (Germantown) aka Signal ISP.  

Do they charge installation or deposit, radio rental?  

I'm interested in exactly what they are installing for residential customers, as well as the tower locations to determine azimuth.

Please post if you have any technical details on the radios, electrical power, and transmission medium from the radio to my router.  

http://www.jsonline.com/business/local-firm-launches-ultrafast-residential-internet-service-b99735427z1-381423881.html

http://www.signalisp.com/urban-internet/

http://www.ethoplex.com/

The FAQs are definitely consumer grade ...
http://www.signalisp.com/customer-support/faqs/

[duncantuna]

Whoa .. that looks pretty awesome.  I can't find any more details, but there's a larger discussion here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/milwaukee/comments/4m171a/new_ultrafast_internet_option_coming_to_milwaukee/

[ArgMeMatey]

Whoa .. that looks pretty awesome.  I can't find any more details, but there's a larger discussion here:

Thanks for that link.  One user posted a ping of 3 on Ethoplex compared to 18 on Charter. I'm guessing the unit is ms, but it doesn't actually say that. http://i.imgur.com/ECjH4mw.png

Someone else said no installation fee.  So, $50 per month, $2.80 per month tax (at 5.6%).  

I am skeptical that they can scale well in terms of consistent throughput, compared to copper VDSL or HFC DOCSIS, but I'll wait to see what others find.  I can only guess that at that price point, they'll attract plenty of people who will be eager to measure 100 Mbps at full rate, and will let us know if they're disappointed.  

Any idea if there would be a minimum spacing from a terrestrial TV receiving antenna?  I would prefer to use the existing mast on my house rather than put more holes in the roof.

[Bebop]

Well, at least we have some leverage when dealing with Spectrum's customer retention.

I think I'll sign up. I'll probably get it before MAxx

[Bebop]

Thanks for that link.  One user posted a ping of 3 on Ethoplex compared to 18 on Charter. I'm guessing the unit is ms, but it doesn't actually say that. http://i.imgur.com/ECjH4mw.png

Someone else said no installation fee.  So, $50 per month, $2.80 per month tax (at 5.6%).  

I am skeptical that they can scale well in terms of consistent throughput, compared to copper VDSL or HFC DOCSIS, but I'll wait to see what others find.  I can only guess that at that price point, they'll attract plenty of people who will be eager to measure 100 Mbps at full rate, and will let us know if they're disappointed.  

Any idea if there would be a minimum spacing from a terrestrial TV receiving antenna?  I would prefer to use the existing mast on my house rather than put more holes in the roof.

[LoadStar]

I'd be game, but I think my condo association would have a bit of an issue with that being installed onto the roof.

I'll just have to wait for Charter, I guess.

[ArgMeMatey]

my condo association would have a bit of an issue with that being installed onto the roof.

The press photo posted above is from an apartment building roof, and is not necessarily what would be installed on a subscriber's dwelling.  

But any reasonable broadband antenna would be covered by FCC rules that pre-empt local laws and association rules.  In your case, whether that's applicable would depend on who "controls" your roof.  That would probably be determined by your contract.  

https://www.fcc.gov/media/over-air-reception-devices-rule

[Bebop]

Finally got a email replay from them. They are not ready for site survey or decided on what the upload speed will be. There is no time frame for either.

[ArgMeMatey]

Finally got a email replay from them. They are not ready for site survey or decided on what the upload speed will be. There is no time frame for either.

So they can't provide service now?  I reread the article ... it seems "could be" and "as early as" are the operative phrases!

Reading between the lines, the service could be available to residents of buildings that already have service "as early as next week."  For everyone else, some time between later and never.  

"The services could be available in select areas of metro Milwaukee as early as next week, according to Ethoplex."

[Bebop]

I asked them if there is a tower near my area. And the reply was  they are expanding as fast as they can. :-)


When people signed up on their site right now for service. They are placed on a map. The area with the most sign ups will get service priority.

I'll probably be stuck with Charter for at least a year.