WISP Business Calculator
Model the economics of a wireless broadband ISP: site expansion, backhaul, CPE rollout and break-even subscribers.
This tool models a wireless ISP that builds and operates its own access sites. Enter your own cost assumptions; results update instantly and are recalculated on our server when you send an inquiry.
Estimated results
S × (1 + G)^M at the end of the forecast period.
CEILING(projected subscribers ÷ subscribers supported per site).
Required sites minus existing sites.
New sites × access devices per site.
Projected subscribers × monthly ARPU.
Fixed OPEX + backhaul per site + variable cost per subscriber.
Monthly revenue − monthly operating costs.
Monthly ARPU − variable cost per subscriber, before fixed OPEX and backhaul.
One-time investment
New sites × (investment per site + devices per site × cost per device).
New subscribers × CPE cost.
New subscribers × installation cost.
Site investment + CPE + installation.
Break-even cannot be reached: contribution per subscriber is zero or negative. Please review your ARPU and variable cost assumptions.
Monthly fixed cost base ÷ contribution per subscriber.
Not Recovered Within Forecast Period
First forecast month in which cumulative net cash flow turns positive.
Revenue and cost structure
Subscribers and sites by forecast year
| Year | Projected Subscribers | sites | Monthly Operating Profit | Cumulative net cash flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7129 | 18 | 111726.90 | 314549.05 |
| 2 | 10164 | 26 | 178253.31 | 1004472.40 |
| 3 | 14491 | 37 | 273347.70 | 2225753.66 |
Calculation assumptions
Projected Subscribers = S × (1 + G)^M. Required Sites = CEILING(Projected ÷ K). New Sites = MAX(0, Required − N0). Site Investment = New Sites × (Cs + D × Cd). New Subscribers = MAX(0, Projected − S). CPE Investment = New Subscribers × Cp. Installation Investment = New Subscribers × Ci. Monthly Revenue = Projected × A. Monthly OPEX = O + Required Sites × Bh + Projected × V. Contribution = A − V. Break-even Subscribers = (O + Required Sites × Bh) ÷ Contribution, based on steady-state recurring contribution only. Payback is simulated month by month: sites are built when subscriber demand exceeds the capacity of the sites already built, new subscribers incur CPE and installation cost in the same month, and the payback month is the first month in which cumulative net cash flow turns positive; if it does not turn positive within the forecast period, no payback month is shown.
This calculator provides indicative estimates based on your own assumptions. It is not a substitute for detailed radio network planning, site acquisition analysis, spectrum review or a formal quotation, and it contains no industry benchmark pricing.
Preliminary Estimate Range
The range below is calculated from the assumptions you entered. Change any input and it updates immediately.
These ranges are planning references calculated from your own inputs. They are not a quotation, an offer or a price list.
The low–high spread is a configurable planning margin used for sensitivity testing. It is a demonstration assumption, not a market benchmark or an IPLOOK price.
Want a More Detailed Cost Estimate?
Our team can review your requirements and the assumptions used in this calculation, then prepare a tailored estimate for your project.
The detailed cost breakdown (software licence, deployment and integration, customisation, maintenance and support, and architecture options) is not published online. It is prepared by our sales team after a manual review of your requirements.
Request a WISP Business Case Review
Share your wireless ISP plans and we will review your coverage, capacity and rollout economics with you.
Thank You for Your Inquiry
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Our team will review your requirements and the assumptions provided in your calculation, then contact you by email with a tailored estimate.