In this edition of Beyond Global Waves, we remember Ricochet as among the first wireless internet services in the United States, launching before the widespread adoption of Wi-Fi, 3G, and other modern technologies. It was developed by Metricom, Inc., which initially sold radios to industrial customers before expanding into public internet service. The service began in 1994 in Cupertino, California, and expanded through Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area, and other cities by the late 1990s. The network used pole-top radios to create a mesh network, allowing data packets to bounce between units until they reached a wired access point connected to the internet. These microcell radios, placed approximately every quarter-mile, communicated with each other, routing packets to a wired access point. This innovative approach used unlicensed radio spectrum (between 902 and 928 MHz) and existing infrastructure like streetlights, differing from cellular companies that relied on expensive spectrum licenses and large towers.
Ricochet offered several notable features. Initially, the service provided speeds comparable to a 28.8 kbit/s modem, later upgraded to 128 kbit/s. It also allowed for an always-on connection, like modern broadband, without busy signals or idle timeouts. The service was marketed flat monthly, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional dial-up services. The Ricochet wireless modem connected to a computer via a serial port acted like a Hayes-compatible modem, supporting protocols like PPP and SLIP. Security was also a focus, with the modems implementing RSA and RC4 encryption in hardware to protect against eavesdropping. The system also allowed for peer-to-peer modem communication without naming server registration.
Despite its innovative technology and early success, Ricochet faced significant challenges. The company’s proprietary microcellular technology and expensive network infrastructure limited its service area to only 15 metropolitan areas. The cost of building the network was high, and Metricom focused on nationwide rollout and marketing rather than developing select markets. The service was criticized for its high latency, sometimes slowing down data transfers. By the early 2000s, the emergence of faster cellular data networks, such as those planned by VoiceStream, Verizon and AT&T, put pressure on Ricochet’s business model. In 2001, Metricom, burdened with $1 billion in debt, filed for bankruptcy and shut down its network.
After the initial bankruptcy, Ricochet’s assets were acquired by Aerie Networks, which restarted the service in select markets like Denver and San Diego. However, the service changed hands several times, eventually becoming a Terabeam subsidiary. The re-established service ultimately failed to expand and eventually ceased operation. Despite its ultimate demise, Ricochet’s flat-rate, always-on wireless service was a pioneering effort in early wireless internet access, and it was reportedly used in the immediate disaster recovery situation of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Ricochet technology was also an inspiration for other mesh network technologies.
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