PipingHot Networks Trials First BWIF Compliant 3.5GHz Non-Line-of-Site Wireless System
Added: (Fri Jun 22 2001)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
PipingHot Networks (PHN), the UK-based provider of fixed wireless access broadband systems, has successfully completed its first live field trials.
The trials have demonstrated the first Broadband Wireless Internet Forum (BWIF) compliant Non-Line-of Sight Wireless 3.5GHz system, utilising open standard technologies. The system delivers high-speed wireless access to a number of sites, including the company’s recently opened Customer Demonstration Suite, as well as providing a local college with a 22Mb/s always-on internet connection.
The trials mark a major step forward in terms of PHN’s ability to support commercial deployments.
PipingHot’s Broadband Fixed Wireless Access (BFWA) solution, which is based on the BWIF standards, has significant advantages over other methods of broadband provision in that it enables operators to deploy fully managed IP based services to enhance differentiation from the incumbent operator. Broadband wireless also avoids the significant costs and planning difficulties of laying wires and cables required by alternative systems.
BWIF is dedicated to de-regulation of the fixed wireless equipment market in order to bring the benefits of an open standard to the operators. PHN is an active member of the forum and has collaborated closely with the other forum members during development of the standards.
The number of Europeans subscribing to broadband is expected to rise to 27 million by 2005. According to Forrester, this figure represents 18 percent of households, up from 0.2 percent in 1999. Similar growth is also expected at a global level and PipingHot Networks is well placed to take advantage of this.
Both line-of-sight (LOS) and non line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions were tested in the trials, with NLOS transmission being achieved over a distance of 2.5km. All the broadband services have been demonstrated successfully within a controlled DOCSIS enabled QoS environment, including streaming video, Voice Over IP (VoIP) and Constant Bit Rate (CBR) type services.
Nigel King, Technical Director of PHN said: “PipingHot Networks is focused on providing operators with a cost-effective radio system that can be rapidly and easily rolled-out to both the business and mass market. To be able to assist operators, it was critical for the company to trial its 3.5GHz technology in a ‘live’ environment. The trials have enabled us to prove interoperability to the BWIF standard at 3.5GHz and also demonstrate the operational processes involved in the planning, installation, commissioning and in the supporting network and to validate our predictions for system performance in both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight conditions.
“The trial demonstrates PipingHot’s leading position as suppliers of BWIF compliant radio systems for the global 3.5GHz market and demonstrates that the company is on track to provide commercially viable broadband fixed wireless access systems within the next few months.”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
PipingHot Networks is a new global company operating within a rapidly expanding market with a simple but innovative wireless solution to the problem of transmitting broadband data quickly and cheaply across the last mile to the largest majority of potential users including the SME, SoHo and residential markets. The company provides broadband FWA systems for the delivery of high-capacity data services, including high-speed Internet access and “always on” connectivity.
Its senior management team includes personnel with significant telecoms, engineering, financial and operational expertise, experienced in running and managing large development and deployment programmes. The company is poised to have a major impact on the provision of broadband services throughout Europe.
The company has raised US$21 million from a consortium of leading global venture capitalists and is funded through the commercial development of its first generation product. PipingHot Networks is one of few European companies involved in this area.
PipingHot Networks is a founder member of the Broadband Wireless Internet Forum (BWIF). The BWIF is an incorporated not-for-profit association of industry-leading companies, supported by the IEEE – ISTO that are committed to drive product roadmaps that will lower product costs, simplify deployment of advanced services, and ensure the availability of interoperable solutions. Other members include major corporations such as Broadcom, Cisco, Texas Instruments and Toshiba.
For further information, contact: Angela Walker on 020 7749 5919, angela@praxispr.co.uk or Samantha Cooke on 020 7749 5911