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Mutual Assured Survival

When you deploy DSSS in an area and a competitor deploys FHSS, how can you prevent interference? It's a question of peace or war—and don't forget the termites.

[May 23, 2001]

On the ISP-Wireless list in April, MC queried,

"I have a competitor that has deployed DS in cities where I am deployed with FH. How do we survive together? My network is much busier than his, and while I am seeing no problems now, I am concerned that as traffic loads increase we will both suffer. I have two more towers going up that will have LOS to both of his DS towers: will I take him down totally?"

A number of respondents took a very reasonable approach to the situation:

[MB suggested] "Asking him to take down his tower might not be a good idea. Have you tried talking to him? Specifically, call him and tell him you are about to flip the switch and that he should monitor his systems closely so that if you do 'take him down', you can immediately pull the plug.

If you use FH and cause significant interference to him or others, you might have to rethink your deployment and use DS. DS might allow you to co-exist. Please, above all else, call him. Nothing peeves me more than two people not wanting to talk and fix a problem."

[RB added] "If you go in and ask him to take down his tower, it's going to set the tone for everything else. Give him a call, see if you can meet him somewhere and talk about things. Going in and making demands, or walking into your first meeting with a lawyer on your hip, will virtually guarantee that there will be no cooperation.

Maybe an offer of you trying some of your equipment on their site and them trying some of their equipment on your site might help allay some interference worries on both sides. Might even be able to help each other out in a pinch someday."

[MS agreed] "You should call him and ask him if he'd be willing to drop the DS and follow you with FH. You can share hopping sequences in different areas, and no one will step on the other guy. You are making a reasonable effort to find out what's likely to happen, I think. It's up to the new guy in an area to try to work around everyone else."

Others took a slightly more confrontational approach:

[PL advised] "Do make a real attempt to work with them. But if they are resistant to trying to peaceably coexisting or if they deploy a poor design, well, then I'd out-design and out-deploy. You have no responsibility to protect competition from their own mistakes. This may not be a popular or politically correct sentiment, but business is not a democracy and this is not a utopia. It is best for all for the weak to either fail or get stronger."

[RE offered] "Find an old microwave and strip out the main power conversion coils. Convert the 120 Volt AC input to 12 Volt DC. Drive into LOS of one of his antennas and give it juice: he will spend weeks replacing his valuable equipment."

[JL added] "Termite exterminators now have a new weapon against dry wood termites. It's a 700 Watt 2.4GHz transmitter that literally cooks them in the walls, while leaving the dry wood untouched. Just contact the local termite exterminator and have them aim their disintegrator gun at the competition!"

MC talked to his competitor:

"I did finally call him yesterday, and it was an uncomfortable three-minute conversation. He is unwilling to work with me and said, 'I guess we will have to let the radios duke it out and the best system will win.' End of conversation. I expect that his system will slow to a crawl as we continue to hook up new customers. We are doing twenty a week right now and expect to double that rate."

Noting this, MB suggested taking legal precautions:

"Send him a firm letter by certified mail, explaining your concerns. This is a must, to show the courts your willingness to mitigate any future damages he may cause. Also:

• Keep gathering as much information as you can, and get an attorney. At the first sign of significant interference, get an ex-parte meeting with the judge and ask for a cease and desist order.
  
  
• Have your attorney draft a letter informing him of his significant interference and how that action violates FCC regulations.
  
  
• Hire an RF guru to take output reading of each of his sites; if he exceeds FCC regulations, call the local FCC enforcement branch and file an 'informal' complaint. Once the local FCC enforcement branch investigates, they can now establish the violations, and he will be the one who needs the Washington-based attorney; the fines are about $1000 per day.

He is not required to take down his stuff. However, he is required to get along with others."

—End

Related articles:
	[May 22, 2001]	Platinum Communications
	[Apr. 27, 2001]	Interfering Cordless Phones
	[Feb. 5, 2001]	Spreading the Spectrum