How to organize a Wi-Fi network in a cottage village?

Question

Computer networks

Hello.
I will say right away that I have no experience with network equipment. It is not possible to attract network specialists due to the fact that they are simply not available in the immediate vicinity.
It is planned to organize wireless Internet access on the territory of a rather large cottage settlement. There are about 200 subscribers. I read on Wikipedia that the range of Wi-Fi is 100 meters. It is planned to purchase Ubiquiti equipment (several access points interconnected), which promises to work up to 1-2 km.
What software solutions can you recommend for organizing ISP work? So that you can manage users, groups, payments (billing), as well as generally manage servers. I would like the system to have a web-API for integration with the site (but if not, then it's okay). And in general, is Wi-Fi possible at such distances? I read somewhere that in Paris, and in many cities of America, a system of Wi-Fi networks is organized. What do you think?
Thank you! :)

Answer 1

The project in your case is divided into the following main components:
1. Legalization. You need permission from the supervisory authority to use the frequency / frequencies and an operator license (for transmission and types and types). This is most likely the minimum, perhaps something else.
2. Organization and calculation of the network itself. It is necessary to take into account obstacles, high-voltage wires, interference from fences \ roofs \ transformer boxes, reflections from houses and much more. It is best to use professional software (for example Ekahau) and any simple access point on the battery, transferring it from different angles to the center of the coverage area and measuring the strength and coverage map. The same software will help to make the calculation. And if you also connect a GPS receiver via a blue-tooth connection, everything will be cool in general.
3. Network part. You need hardware and a network. You can build on a pure wireless (wireless links between points and broadcasting by itself also over the air), you can lay down copper / optics, you can take 5GHz for reference channels and broadcast at 2.4. I recommend Routeboard))
4. Billing, roaming, payments, tariffs, QoS. In general, all these tasks can be solved without reference to the transmission medium. Such in bulk in the open spaces on request "billing". In the same Mikrotik there is a built-in one, but you can take something else, a traffic inspector, for example.
In theory, the range of your Wi-Fi and its quality will primarily depend on client devices, and not on operator devices, since the former will have much weaker transceivers than your "30+ db" antennas. In general, the project is cool, but organizing it simply by asking questions on the toaster and getting answers is not realistic. You need a pro with experience and you should have it there, on the spot, in the village.

Answer 2

With Wi-Fi, it will not work out well - you will not be able to control the quality, many houses can be connected to one directional antenna with no more than 10 points, otherwise it will be sad at all speed. Wi-fi in general and ubiquiti in particular for such purposes should only be considered as a temporary solution.
Better take VOLS and GEPON. From an economic point of view, calculate for yourself:
1) For each house you need an ubiquiti point (let's say nano m5 - 5 tr), an outdoor cable (20 meters, 400 r), a cheap router to the house (1.5-2 tr), if for good, more and lightning protection (200 r). Plus CMP - 1.5-2tr per point. In total, you will get ~ 10k rubles for one house. At the same time, no quality is guaranteed, you need to keep a sickly spare parts kit for wifi and home routers, I would lay 20%.
2) FOCL - even if everything is done very well, with optical cross-connects and normal couplings, the connection price will be 8-10 tr, taking into account materials, though you will have to spend money on the trunk, which will not be very long. Often the FOCL connection is transferred to the client. In the private sector, you can always agree on poles - almost all of them are on the plots. But with this approach, it will be possible to lay down only 5% of spare parts and accessories, practically not bothering about quality. Well, you can also invest in GEPON, for 200 houses you can take some cheap Chinese basket, just stock up on ONTs in reserve.
Well, yes, if you still cover Wi-Fi, you will have to think about organizing a full-fledged TP, with FOCL there will be no such hemorrhoids.
Well, 200 houses are not enough, look for more neighboring villages.

Answer 3

Well, if you bring the Internet to every house, then the distance does not play a big role, directional antennas play the role, here you can walk 10 km, provided there is a direct line of sight.
Put an access point on the subscriber's house, which is directed to the central point. For the cottage, you distribute the Internet with a separate access point. Billing can buy netup. Authorize subscribers by freeradius (access points must support authorization).

Answer 4

if everything is done according to "good" and "white", then bring specialists, paying for their business trip will not greatly affect the overall budget.

Answer 5

As far as I understand, Ubiquiti equipment is "office" level, not "provider". 200 subscribers is up to 2,000 devices. And all these devices must be pulled by Ubiquiti equipment???
It seems to me that with this approach you lay problems for yourself in the future.
Do as providers do: either ADSL, or GPON (it will be possible to launch both telephony and television in the same optics), or a 4g network. The subscriber has a router (ADSL, optical or 4G), and then - his problems. One-time investments in normal equipment (connection price for the subscriber) - and the head does not hurt.

Answer 6

Draw a map of the village and the number of households (or they are equal to the number of clients), which incoming Internet channel you will use