AirFi is a WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider) which mean we provide internet to our customers over the
Air. To do this we use the CBRS ( Citizens Broadband Radio Service) band to broadcast internet using
frequencies within a 150mhz spectrum.
The SAS (Spectrum Access System) is a cloud-based service that manages the wireless communications of
devices transmitting in the CBRS band, in order to prevent harmful interference to higher priority users. Those
other Higher Priority users include 1.) The Military 2.) The services that have specifically bought some of the
SAS with a license.
In previous years there were 150mhz of frequency that was set aside for military use. However, that was
rarely used. So the FCC has decided to open up those channels to everyone, and this is the reason we are
able to service you with the internet over the air. There is one major stipulation to this which is that if the
Military decides at any point that they need to use the frequencies we are using, then we have to allow
them full access. This affects our area because we are within 400km of the East Coast. What this means
for our AirFi Customers: During this time of the Military using the frequencies we broadcast on, it will
suspend our ability to provide internet service until they are done. This is done by the SAS. If and when
this happens, there is a chance that the FCC / SAS services will move our radios frequencies to an open
frequency if one is available, this is not guaranteed . Lucky for you, AirFi has purchased 40mghz of the
150mhz spectrum available. These frequencies belong to AirFi and no one else is allowed to use them in
this area. But as soon as the Military gets involved we will have to get out of the way, including the part of
the spectrum we have purchased, this is known as a DPA ( Dynamic Protection Area).
What you will hear from us if you contact us about your internet is that your radio is Granted which means
it is good to go on the SAS service, but that means it is not Authorized yet. Once the radio gets Authorized
your service will be up and running, until then we must wait for the SAS to Authorize your radio. Any
outage due to a DPA are typically a brief outage and should not last more than 24-48 hours, unless some
heavy Military actions are in tact. The very first time your radio is connected AND/OR anytime your radio
is rebooted, this initiates a First Day Grant request to the SAS, and from that point the ball is in their
court until the SAS either (Grants, Authorizes, or Suspends) your service. This means we can hook up a
new radio at your home/business and it could work, but within 24-48 hours after we do this, your radio
could potentially lose connection. Should that happen we must wait for further instruction from the SAS.
This also means that if you ever need to reboot the radio (for example from a power outage) this also
initiates a First Day Grant request.
The SAS is a relatively new system and we at AirFi are still learning the system ourselves. As we learn
more about the SAS we have seen some of our installs go smoothly and work immediately, as others have
not. This doesn’t mean you are not eligible for service, but more like suspended and will have to wait a
firm 24 - 48 hours until the radio is Authorized in the SAS. The suspension on First Day Grants is
common according to the SAS , an install will be suspended for a day or two before it is allowed to
transmit and get you service. The SAS system will refresh Grants every morning between 12AM and 3AM.
This means you could be installed at 1PM by 4PM the SAS can change the status to suspended, then
between 12am and 3am your grand request could change to Authorized and at the point the internet
would start working, or it could continue to be suspended, in which case we at AirFi might have to make
changes to the radio before the SAS will Authorize during the DAY 2 Grant. Hence why we say 24-48hours.
At AirFi, we want all of our Customers to have the best experience. As we move forward with this new
system, we will have some ups and downs, it's almost guaranteed. We are going to do the best we can
with the SAS system, and how it is set up. Thanks for being patient on us.