Frequently Asked Questions

Airwaive is a marketplace connecting wireless operators with host properties and services to build and manage networks.

Airwaive is free to use by operators who build and manage networks utilizing Airwaive hosts. We generate our revenue from host leasing agreements when there is a successful match between an operator and host.

Site Planner is used by operators to plan a network. This can be helpful when an ISP is just starting, applying for funding, or is not ready to engage with host properties yet. Site Manager includes all of the Site Planner features and much more. It is used to find and manage host properties to build a network. We also have tools for marketing your sites too, called Site Marketer.

If you are an organization that is building a network of wireless access points, including ISPs, mobile carriers or IoT service providers, contact Airwaive to receive a registration code. Once you have a registration code, go here to register.

We have three user guides with step-by-step instructions for Airwaive.  If you are just getting started, begin with the Site Planner user guide.  If you’ve upgraded to send offers and manage hosts, review the Site Manager user guide.  If you’re marketing your sites to hosts and customers, check the Site Marketer user guide.

The Airwaive definition of a cell is a geographic boundary that you will have wireless coverage. This may include one or more wireless access points at host locations to cover this area. When sending offers to hosts, the cell is the geography that determines who can apply. If a host is within the cell, they can apply. Learn more about create cells here.

In Airwaive, begin by creating a cell. An offer has a boundary, a price, proposed equipment and proposed contract terms. Once this has been completed, Airwaive sends offers to hosts. Check out a video tutorial here.

Airwaive supports pricing models that can be a fixed monthly fee, a variable fee or a combination of the two. Variable fees may be based on the number of connected end user devices to an access point, by data usage or by revenue.

It may take a few weeks for hosts to be notified after a cell has been created. Airwaive scores and prioritizes host properties that are on its waitlist based on operator criteria. Properties with higher scores are given an opportunity to respond to an operator offer before others are notified.

Yes. Offers can be changed at any time. You can change any parameter of the offer, including the fee that you propose to the host. If your changes are after 30 days since the previous change, Airwaive will send new notifications to hosts within the cell. If within 30 days, Airwaive will not send notifications to hosts, however hosts that come to Airwaive will see the offer changes immediately.

Airwaive includes 2D and 3D maps, showing potential host locations for networks, line of sight analysis, wireless frequency propagation analysis and building information and pictures. Check out a video tutorial here.

Different frequencies have different ranges, but it is also based on the power and type of equipment. Therefore, there is no easy answer. Airwaive uses average power requirements and estimates the range for different frequencies.

Some frequencies appear with an “*” when it is a special case, such as 2.4 GHz* Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is typically lower power for indoor use, but Airwaive calculates an average based on outdoor Wi-Fi routers.

No. Airwaive provides an option for operators and hosts to accept digital currencies, but it is not required.

A host is an individual or organization with rights to install wireless access points at a specified location. In Airwaive, hosts assist wireless operators that need properties to build their networks in exchange for recurring income.

A host may have rights to a building, whether it is residential or commercial, typically defined by an address. Or a host may have rights to a structure, such as a tower or pole that is defined by a geopoint. In Airwaive, hosts that purchase equipment are called Superhosts.

To send an offer to potential hosts, create a cell with an offer. Once you have hosts that are engaged in the offer process, you can contact them directly in Airwaive using our messaging platform. Check out a video tutorial here.

Although it is possible that a host may try negotiate an offer, it not necessary that you accept it. With Airwaive, you are sending offers to multiple hosts. We suggest you review all applicants before making a decision to change your offer. If you adjust your offer based on market feedback, we suggest waiting at least one month before changes.

No. As an operator, you choose your preferred wireless radio equipment. Equipment information is loaded into Airwaive so that hosts understand the type of equipment that will be placed on their property.

Refer to these instructions to load your equipment package into Airwaive. A host cares about the equipment that is located on his or her property, so please provide enough details about size, weight and appearance for a host to make a decision. Pictures are very important. Check out a video tutorial here.

You choose who purchases equipment. This is configured in your settings. Set it to Operator, if you purchase equipment, or Host if the host will purchase equipment. If the host is required to purchase equipment, we will show the price of the equipment package to the host in the offer and the contract process must outline steps to acquire and install equipment. Check out a video tutorial here.

You choose who installs equipment. This is configured in your settings. If set to Operator, you install and coordinate a time with the host for installation. If set to Host then you must provide installation guides and support in Airwaive’s equipment settings. Check out a video tutorial here.

You are establishing a contract directly between you and the host. Airwaive is named as a party to the agreement for the purposes of collecting and remitting payments. For more information on payments, visit our Terms of Services.

Refer to these instructions to load your contract templates. By default, you present your contract to the host (although some hosts may prefer to use their template instead). Even if you have an existing contract, please refer to the instructions because there are likely modifications that are necessary to work with Airwaive. Check out a video tutorial here.

After a host has applied for an offer, you have an opportunity to review and accept the host’s property. After your acceptance, the host will be sent a notification to execute an online contract. After the host electronically signs the contract, you will receive a request to sign the contract. Once both parties have executed the contract the final version is stored in your Airwaive account and payments are made according to the contract. The step-by-step process for contracts can be found here. Check out a video tutorial here.

Login to Airwaive, and proceed to the Contracts menu option to view and store your executed contracts with hosts. Check out a video tutorial here.

Airwaive. You receive one invoice for all host properties managed by Airwaive. Airwaive’s platform automatically pays hosts according to contracts and terms that you set, including variable rate payments. Check out a video tutorial here.

Hosts are paid monthly according to the terms of the agreement executed between you and the host, by the 7th day of each calendar month, following the month in which the they have provided service. Airwaive, as a limited collection agent, is responsible for paying hosts after collecting the fee from you, the operator. To ensure we do not miss host payments, we request a deposit equal to one month’s lease when a contract is executed.

If you are a company admin, when logged into Airwaive you will see an Admin menu navigation option. Select Admin and follow the instructions to manage existing users or add new users. Instructions can be found here.

If you have an account, but are not able to log in because you have forgotten your password, go here. If you are logged in and want to change your password, go to the Settings menu. Instructions can be found here.

When you create a new user for your operator account, you can assign the user with different organizational roles. This determines the features and functionality they have access to in Airwaive. For a list of roles, see these instructions.

Yes. Airwaive is not only a marketplace for you to find hosts, but also a marketplace for customers to find you. We match potential customers by geolocating your host properties stored in Airwaive. You are automatically added to our recommended operators. We also provide web widgets for you to market to customers, using our geolocation tools to understand their potential coverage (see Site Marketer). Check out a video tutorial here.

Yes. Airwaive is agnostic to hardware equipment and can be used for any spectrum (including CBRS). Small cells that operate in unlicensed bands are ideal to create mesh networks for wireless ISPs, mobile carriers and IoT service providers that are interested in building new networks.

It depends on the type of offer. Operators that offer a fixed rate payment to hosts do not require any integration. Operators that offer a variable rate payment may require an integration to validate the variable component. For example, Airwaive can validate the number of unique device connections and pay a host based upon these connections (known as Proof of Connectivity). Airwaive integrates with gateways to collect and validate this data.

Yes. To manage service level agreements, Airwaive requires an integration with gateways to collect information from wireless access points necessary for processing SLAs.