Strix Systems moves into the great outdoors with products announced now shipping: Their outdoor mesh routers are hitting distributors. Tempe, Ariz., will use Strix equipment through its integrator MobilePro. Strix, Tropos, and BelAir all offer multiple radio outdoor mesh networking gear that uses Wi-Fi. Tropos trash talks the competition in this article, noting that their use of 2.4 GHz for backhaul is actually a plus over BelAir and Strix's decision to backhaul over 5 GHz.
The Tempe hotzone will cover 40 square miles, the article reports, passing 65,000 residential households and 1,100 businesses. First responders will use the network, which will also offer service across the 4.9 GHz emergency band, which sounds like a unique offering. Subscribers will pay a yet-to-be-determined cost, but the service will be free in the downtown district to attract visitors and businesspeople.