Hi. I've decided to take on the project of starting my own WISP. Something I've wanted to do for a while now but not had the stones to do it. I have degrees in Computer and Electrical engineering so I know enough about computers and networking to be dangerous but very little hands on experience with much of what I've read on so far. Also, I'm new to a lot of the lingo and acronyms so extra details in responses would be much appreciated.

Currently I'm located in the metro Detroit area. So it's suburban with some trees and lakes in the area. Only 2 ISPs - Comcast and AT&T, so I want to disrupt that duopoly and provide the area with a third option. I'm not doing this as some get-rich scheme. My goal is to offer the area a low cost, reliable, ISP option without all the bull like data caps and internet speeds that decrease each month like clockwork. I have typed out a business plan and have a few tall buildings in mind that I want to approach about asking them if I can mount a pole with some ubiquiti or cambium sector antennas on but haven't actually contacted anyone about that yet.

I've contacted a telecom broker (Bandwidth Solutions) and was told most WISPs start with a 20 or 50 Meg fiber line, that each household typically consumes 1/3 to 1/2 Meg of bandwidth, and that I can upgrade as my needs change. Is Bandwidth Solutions bullshitting me about those bandwidth requirements (1/2 meg per household)? Has anyone on this sub used a telecom broker before? Used this broker before? The nice thing is that it's a symmetric link, of course. Another nice thing is that there is no upfront fiber construction costs (pending a site survey), but I assume that comes at a slightly higher monthly rate.

Another thing that worries me is what if I can't find a tall enough building or existing structure willing to let me use their roof to get good range out of? What's the process, cost, and permitting requirements of building an antenna tower? I keep reading you need LOS. How touchy is that? Will a single tree obstruct the signal? A single house? What distances can I expect out of Ubiquiti/Cambium APs? Any advise on sweet talking the owner of a high rise apartment building or business to give you roof access for cheap?

And most importantly, I think I need a mentor. Someone that I can contact when I have non-technical questions that someone has dealt with before in the WISP realm. I'm a little worried that the local township will find out I'm providing internet services and come hunt me down for permits I should have had. I've attempted to research the heck out of these issues but getting a lot of noise. I'm glad I found a sub dedicated to WISPs.

Thanks in advance for the answers and suggestions.