Multi-band wireless access point comprising coextensive coverage regions

An antenna arrangement, comprising:

• at least one first antenna configured to operate in a first antenna system having a first effective range for communicating with subscribers using a first communications protocol;
• and,
• a plurality of second antennas generally co-located with the first antenna and configured to operate in a second antenna system having a second effective range for communicating with subscribers using a second communications protocol, wherein the plurality of antennas in the second antenna system are configured to compensate for a difference in propagation of the second communications protocol relative to the first communications protocol such that the first and the second effective ranges are effectively coextensive.

A method of upgrading a wireless network of the type including a wireless access point, the wireless access point of the type including a first antenna system having a first effective range for communicating with subscribers using a first communications protocol, the first antenna system including at least one antenna, the method comprising:

• installing a second antenna system generally co-located with the first antenna system, the second antenna system having a second effective range for communicating with subscribers using a second communications protocol, the second antenna system including a plurality of antennas, wherein the plurality of antennas in the second antenna system are configured to compensate for a difference in propagation of the second communications protocol relative to the first communications protocol such that the first and second effective ranges are effectively coextensive.

A method of operation for a multi-band wireless access point, comprising:

• communicating with subscribers using a first communications protocol and a first antenna system having a first effective range;
• and,
• concurrently communicating with subscribers using a second communications protocol and a second antenna system co-located with the first antenna system and having a second effective range, wherein the second antenna system includes a plurality of antennas configured to compensate for a difference in propagation of the second communications protocol relative to the first communications protocol such that the first and second effective ranges are effectively coextensive.