this post was submitted on 04 Apr 2026
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Explain Like I'm Five

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ELI5 How much money does it take to start up an ISP? Like my subdivision we only have two choices. Why not just set up a building in the center of sub and everyone pay was less for internet? (lemmy.world)
submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) by Patnou@lemmy.world to c/explainlikeimfive@lemmy.world
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Can someone break it down for me. Like the reach of the wifi or do i need to connect cables to everyone

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[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 8 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

If you have a bunch of copper, an excavator, loads of free time, and you have somewhere to connect upstream, it shouldn't cost much.

Ideally you want to use fiber, though. The fiber itself is actually cheaper than the copper, but the equipment is magnitudes more expensive:

  • OTDR
  • Fusion splicer
  • Termination tools
  • Necessary switching and routing hardware

Sidenote: 25 years ago it was my dream to start a MAN - metropolitan area network. Think a LAN party covering an entire city. I even planned out the IP schema, routing system, and loads of other things for the city I lived in at that time. Too bad I was a broke NEET.