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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
BelAir Networks Announces New Architecture and Product Roadmap
New Orleans, LA – CTIA Wireless – March 14, 2004 – BelAir Networks today announced its Wireless Multi-service Architecture (WMSA), the first architecture for the next generation of wireless networks.
With WMSA, carriers, service providers and network operators can deploy high capacity wireless infrastructure today that will support emerging access technologies – without forcing customers to incur future costly and disruptive network replacements. BelAir’s Wireless Multi-service Architecture will also allow network operators to deliver high quality voice, video and data services on a metropolitan scale using a mix of Wi-Fi, WiMAX and 3G cellular technologies.
"As a result of increasing demand for wireless connectivity for different services, no single wireless technology is likely to dominate. Instead multiple technologies will coexist and interoperate. BelAir’s approach to this integration challenge will allow service providers to improve functionality and coverage, without having to deploy an entirely new network," stated Monica Paolini, President and Founder, Senza-Fili Consulting. "Service providers need a way to deploy an infrastructure that is flexible enough to incorporate new technologies and standards while maintaining high capacity and QoS at a low operating cost."
The Challenges of Broadband Wide Area Wireless Networks
Carriers face a serious challenge as they develop their next generation networks. They need a single network infrastructure that can ultimately support Wi-Fi, WiMAX and cellular technologies. These technologies share a common problem when used in large metro deployments.
Large deployments require a cost-effective means to link each of the nodes in the wireless infrastructure and connect them to wired networks – no matter which access technology is used. BelAir’s solution is a wireless backhaul system comprised of dedicated point-to-point links that form the industry’s only wireless mesh that delivers high capacity and low latency to very large networks.
Since March of 2004, BelAir has been shipping the BelAir200 multi-service wireless switch router, which features extended coverage Wi-Fi access, integrated with multiple radios for wireless mesh backhaul. This approach reduces latency and improves QoS on the wireless backhaul.
WiMAX and cellular networks can benefit from this same approach in large urban deployments. WiMAX and other emerging technologies have specific latency and QoS requirements that must be supported on the wireless backhaul mesh in order to deliver new entertainment applications and value-added services.
BelAir Product Roadmap
With WMSA, BelAir offers carriers a network architecture and product family that can seamlessly scale from Wi-Fi to WiMAX and cellular without having to deploy a completely new network backbone each time.
BelAir’s modular wireless multi-service switch routers, the four-radio BelAir200s, and wireless multi-service nodes, the two-radio BelAir100s, are designed to accept radio module updates that leverage new technologies when required.
Later this year, BelAir will offer WiMAX backhaul radio modules as options for the BelAir200 and BelAir100. Initially, Wi-Fi and WiMAX will be integrated into a common system. The backhaul mesh will consist of multiple point-to-point WiMAX links and the wireless access will be Wi-Fi in the 2.4 GHz band. This will be the first commercial WiMAX mesh.
When WiMAX is widely available on mobile client devices, BelAir will develop WiMAX access radio modules. This evolution to a complete WiMAX system results in a WiMAX micro-cell. BelAir’s WiMAX micro-cells will be used for dense urban deployments and will interconnect with WiMAX macro-cells through interoperable WiMAX point-to-point links using BelAir’s WiMAX backhaul radio module.
“Large-scale, wireless networks are evolving to converged, IP-based Next Generation Networks,” said Bernard Herscovich, CEO of BelAir Networks. “Our Wireless Multi-service Architecture gives service providers the flexibility they need in order to successfully leverage evolving technologies and standards – an important competitive advantage for carriers in this dynamic market.”
About BelAir’s Wireless Multi-service Architecture
The BelAir WMSA includes:
Multiple Point-to-Point wireless mesh for backhaul connectivity
The wireless mesh that interconnects the access points or base stations is not a shared network.
BelAir’s mesh delivers very high capacity and low latency making it suitable for voice and video as well as data.
The wireless mesh is a series of point-to-point links. These links can be based on licensed or unlicensed wireless technology using Wi-Fi or WiMAX.
A modular product platform that accepts radio modules based on Wi-Fi, WiMAX and cellular technology and integrates them into an IP-based network
Multiple technologies can exist in the same product and mixed networks are possible.
Customers have a smooth transition from one technology to the next.
A common set of tools to configure, manage and secure the wireless mesh backhaul network and different wireless access technologies
For more information on BelAir’s industry-leading wireless network architecture and products, please contact us at info@belairnetworks.com
About BelAir Networks
BelAir Networks is the first company to offer scalable, wide-area wireless broadband solutions with the highest quality for data, voice and video. BelAir’s wireless networking solutions are built on the only multi-service architecture for wide-area wireless broadband deployments of Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and 3G Cellular networks. Built specifically for outdoor deployments, BelAir Networks’ patented solution delivers the lowest cost per user and deploys in days, blending into the physical infrastructure of downtown business districts, hotels and resorts, and college campuses. Founded in 2001, BelAir Networks is a privately held company headquartered in Kanata, Ontario. For more information, please visit www.belairnetworks.com.
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