GL Communications debuts newest GSM wireless backhaul testing solutions

GL Communications recently introduced the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM,) the latest versions of its testing solutions for wireless backhaul networks.

The recent, rapid rise of mobile communications triggered greater penetration of the mobile market by data and video applications. This increased the importance of wireless backhaul such as IP and Ethernet backhaul over fiber, microwave, and various flavors of TDM. To keep expenses down, operators have turned to alternative backhaul solutions.

According to GL Communications, traditional T1 E1 networks can no longer ensure reliable transmissions over an expanding number of cellular sites. Network operators now require the right tools to monitor and fix a wide variety of backhaul options

To that end, GL test gear allow operators to monitor and test backhaul networks no matter the media used. The Company's products come in portable, handheld, and PC-based variants, and are used on a global scale to keep an eye on deployed networks.

Hardware and software designer GL Communications offers a complete line of solutions that provides flexible test solutions to cellular operators in compliance with the needs of various network traffic. Its products can test cellular backhaul, cellular IP backhaul, carrier Ethernet backhaul, and point-to-point and multipoint circuits. It can also conveniently simulate backhaul systems within a laboratory.

ViaSat, RascomStar demonstrates GSM cellular service for remote regions

The AfricaCom 2012 international show witnessed the successful live demonstration of a new GSM cellular service jointly developed by Pan-African satellite operator RascomStar and satellite and mobility communications company ViaSat. This new cellular service caters to customers in remote and under-served areas.

RascomStar made its announcement on November 20, 2012. In its statement, the Company reported that visitors to its common AfricaCom booth could place a call to anywhere in the world thanks to a low-power GSM site that leverages the RASCOM-QAF1R communications satellite.

The GSM cellular service developed by RascomStar and ViaSat is the first of its kind that uses bandwidth-efficient, low-power infrastructure to deliver GSM/3G voice, messaging, and data services to to hitherto unreachable areas.

The RascomStar-ViaSat is a low-cost turnkey managed service. ViaSat provided its ip.access technology for the ground segment while RascomStar handled the space segment. According to the partner companies, the solution was designed for easy scalability. It also reduces risks for mobile operators while boosting profits and sustainability at the same time.


You can read more about similar cellular backhaul services here.

DoD grants UC APL approval to 3eTI AirGuard secure wireless solution

According to an announcement by 3eTI, the U.S. Department of Defense approved the AirGuard wireless mesh devices and added the produce to its UC APL (Unified Capabilities Approved Products List.)

The AirGuard secure wireless mesh device has already received FIPS 140-2 validation and Common Criteria certification. The 3eTI product generates wireless hotspots and provide backhaul connectivity for applications on fixed, mobile, and portable platforms.

3eTI AirGuard wireless systems have been installed in corporate campuses, industrial environments, and in military bases and U.S. Navy vessels.

The U.S. military is a firm and extensive user of the 3eTI wireless mesh product, which is capable of withstanding harsh environments and ensures always-on availability of safe and secure wireless mesh connectivity.

3eTI recently began offering its AirGuard iMesh suite of products to customers in the industrial and military sectors. The iMesh solution uses minimal power, complies with ISA100 standards, and is perfect for industrial sensor networking.

AirGuard goes beyond ISASecure's basic security capabilities in ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and sensor and network data availability by leveraging some of the latest in encryption and authentication technology. Its security and reliability have been independently validated by the U.S. military.


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UNSi finishes expanding Midwestern Carrier Ethernet networks, looks to future

Now that it's finished upgrading its Dallas and Denver POPs into full border gateway interconnects (BGI) -not to mention adding a new POP BGI in St. Louis, MO- United Network Services, Inc. is looking to the future of Carrier Ethernet in the Midwestern United States.

UNSi has been expanding all summer. Back in June, in order to strengthen its position in the enterprise and carrier markets, UNSi acquired IPNetZone Communications. That acquisition gives UNSi a total of 18 POPs in the United States, along with more than 150 NNIs and partnerships with almost 2,000 network providers.

UNSi is optimistic about the markets for MPLS and Ethernet services. According to Allan Schwartz, UNSi senior vice president of strategic planning and business development, the company sensed significant opportunity in establishing connection locations throughout the Midwest.

Cell site backhaul has been determined to be a growth market for Carrier Ethernet. Customers have realized how flexible and affordable Ethernet services are, and they're  now demanding Ethernet services starting at 50 Mbps. Most operators are actively rolling out 4G/LTE as fast as they can to keep up with demand.

Mr. Schwartz explained that UNSI's network was built with Carrier Ethernet in mind. Instead of rebuilding TDM networks from scratch, UNSI chose to augment existing networks with next-generation Ethernet and VPLS capabilities.

James Karimi, SVP and CTO, cited future challenges that UNSi would encounter as its networks grew. One of them is simplifying the implementation of OAM (Operations, Administrations, and Maintenance.) The complicated process can be a bother for monitoring services that need to cross carrier networks. And when you're a company like UNSi, who has partnerships with thousands of network operators...

To that end, SVP Karimi was of the opinion that Carrier Ethernet equipment manufacturers should perform RFC 2544 testing all types of switches, be they core switches or premise switches.

Ruckus Wireless supplying Telefonica UK (O2) with SmartCell small cell units

Ruckus Wireless announced on July 31, 2012 that it will supply Telefonica UK with high-capacity small cell units as part of O2’s plan to deploy high-speed wireless services throughout London.

The Ruckus SmartCell 8800 provides free, fast, and reliable Wi-Fi that anyone can access with a mobile device. Its low-profile design hides the fact that it is the first carrier-grade, modular multi-radio system that integrates patented adaptive antenna array technology that supports a number of licensed and unlicensed radio technologies. SmartCell units can support high-speed dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, small cell 3G/4G radios, and 5GHz mobile backhaul.

SmartCell units are already deployed throughout iconic central London areas like Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. They will give Telefonica UK the flexibility to quickly deploy and offer high-speed Wi-Fi and cellular services whenever and wherever they’re needed.

"For O2,” explained Derek McManus, chief operating officer for Telefonica UK, “it's all about us providing customers with fast and reliable connectivity where they need it. Our vision is for Wi-Fi to be simply another access layer to our mobile core.

"Customers don't really care about the underlying technology,” Mr. McManus pointed out. “They care about getting connected, fast and reliably. The introduction of small cells helps us to support these requirements and completely complements our mobile strategy,” he continued, “by letting us push capacity closer to users in locations where it makes the most sense."

Selina Lo, president and CEO of Ruckus Wireless, noted that "there is now a mad race to the lamppost” for telecommunications companies, “and the first one there wins.” According to her, securing the physical locations that have the requisite power and backhaul to support small cells is the biggest obstacle to deployment.

“Once physical assets [have been] secured,” President Lo said, “it becomes important for operators to exploit them with as much technology as they can. This means multi-function, carrier-grade products that are simple deploy, unobtrusive and massively scalable. SmartCell is one of those products,” she said, “and O2 is one of those operators taking a lead in this race."

Telefonica UK performed extensive evaluations of wireless suppliers before selecting Ruckus and its SmartCell system. "It all really boiled down to who had the best Wi-Fi for carriers and the most forward-thinking strategy to integrate Wi-Fi within existing and future cellular infrastructure," said COO McManus.

O2 small cell WiFi network gets mobile backhaul support from Cambridge Broadband VectaStar

Mobile backhaul technology expert Cambridge Broadband Networks will be deploying its Vectastar multipoint microwave backhaul technology on behalf of telecom provider O2's new public small cell Wi-Fi network.

O2 is deploying its first public small cell Wi-Fi network in London. It is composed of more than 100 Wi-Fi access points installed on street furniture across the London Boroughs of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea. The Wi-Fi network's traffic will be aggregated across the mesh and sent to a number of VectaStar point-to-multipoint nodes. These PTM points will then backhaul the traffic they received to a central hub in London.

O2's small cell network intends to provide O2's London customers with excellent outdoor Wi-Fi connectivity. "Small Cells offer an enormous opportunity for operators to deliver high-speed and high-capacity data access to their subscribers," said Kevin Oemering, Account Director at Cambridge Broadband Networks. 

Director Oemering added, however, that "The significant uplift in the number of radios needed for a small cell network, compared to today's macrocellular networks, requires a new approach to backhaul." According to him, O2 needed a mobile backhaul solution that could be easily and quickly deployed, support the high capacity demands of a small cell network, and possess the flexibility to expand its network across London.

"VectaStar's multipoint microwave architecture is suitably positioned to deal with the increase in the number of cell sites," Director Oemering explained, "as operators exploit innovative network infrastructure to serve mobile consumers."

Cambridge Broadband's VectaStar multipoint wireless backhaul technology uses a network configuration similar to the interface between cell tower and mobile handset found in the radio access network. This fundamentally different and cost-efficient backhauling network architecture uses the available 28 GHz spectrum band to provide excellent benefits for mobiles, including the next generation units. VectaStar mobile backhaul services will give O2 the ability to send traffic from its London network's numerous small cell networks to a single aggregation point.