[quote=moneymaker]ucodegen I was thinking more short distance like neighbor to neighbor in a cluster type configuration and select houses being like cell towers where maybe they get service for free because they are hubs.[/quote]
In that case, WiFi or cell is easier. You can set up WiFi to do forwarding. This is kind of how cell service currently works. If you allow your property to be used for a cell tower, one of the compensations you tend to get is free service – including IP.
What you are talking about then is omni-optical. The problem there is noise, light from other sources. You end up taking in light from all angles – like IrDA. If you remember back, things like tungsten lightbulbs were screwing with IR connections to peripherals. Lasers also don’t work too well in ‘omni’ mode because lasers are directed light, not broadcast (waveform is parallel and in sync with lasers). To do open air transmissions, you are having to deal with one of the brightest jammers out there – the sun.
