WiMAX World, Booth #213--BelAir Networks, the leading provider of mobile wireless broadband mesh network solutions, recently chosen for citywide deployments in Minneapolis, Toronto, and City of London, UK, today announced the company's strategy and product roadmap for its WiMAX mesh portfolio. This strategy builds on the company's carrier-driven focus, modular architecture and commitment to standards-based development with industry-leading global partners.
BelAir is the first supplier to deliver WiMAX products based on mesh technology. The company utilizes 802.16d WiMAX radio modules operating in the 2.3GHz and 2.5GHz bands. These modules fit in the industry-leading BelAir100 and BelAir200 mesh nodes and have been deployed by current spectrum holders for mesh backhaul between nodes. In June of this year, BelAir's module became the first and only FCC-certified WiMAX mesh product. The company is currently shipping product in response to multi-million dollar customer orders.
Leveraging the company's industry leading position, BelAir today outlined its plans to expand its WiMAX portfolio to include 802.16e. BelAir will deliver 802.16e radio modules for use in both backhaul and access applications. The company will take advantage of Intel's latest 802.16e technology to deliver 802.16e mobile WiMAX basestations. The new 802.16e modules, operating in the 2.3GHz, 2.5GHz and 3.5 GHz bands, will fit in the BelAir100 and BelAir200 mesh nodes as card upgrades. Carrier trials are slated for mid 2007 and general availability is expected in the second half of 2007, in line with widespread adoption of WiMAX-based devices.
"BelAir Networks has consistently differentiated itself with their carrier-class, modular architecture," said Berge Ayvazian, chief strategy officer, Yankee Group. "By enhancing their multi-service platform with WiMAX mesh and committing to 802.16e mobile WiMAX modules, BelAir is not only broadening its service provider product portfolio, but also provides a means to integrate carrier-class mobile WiMAX and WiFi mesh access to future-proof its networks being deployed in major digital cities in North America and Europe."
"From our extensive experience working on large-scale citywide deployments, BelAir has proven that our multi-service modular architecture combined with our standards-based approach to mobile broadband networks offers carriers and service providers the most reliable, flexible and highest performing access and backhaul solutions," said Jim Freeze, senior vice president, marketing and alliances, BelAir Networks. "Now, carriers and service providers can use BelAir's industry-leading low latency switched mesh architecture with standard WiMAX radios in licensed bands as well as pre-WiMAX unlicensed bands."
BelAir Networks has always been active in standards bodies and is committed to a standards-based approach to wireless mesh development. Widespread network use is driven largely by availability of customer premise equipment and end user devices. While some competitors have developed proprietary solutions for both access and mesh backhaul, BelAir Networks works to ensure cost-effective and widespread network adoption by supporting standards-based equipment. This approach, a key component of the company's mobile broadband strategy, is reflected in a number of the company's technology innovations, including:
- Delivery of industry's first FCC-certified WiMAX Mesh solution -- the solution is in live operation today
- Industry's first distributed WiMAX architecture with migration path to 802.16e
- Industry's first T1 circuit emulation over a WiMAX mesh
- Support for licensed 4.9 GHz spectrum for mission critical public safety mobile broadband networks
- In service operation of pre-WiMAX mesh backhaul for live cellular calls
- Commitment to IEEE's P802.11s Extended Service Set (ESS) Mesh Networking standard
BelAir Networks' comprehensive product portfolio delivers high performance, cost-effective, flexible deployment options and a migration path to future technologies. Supporting Wi-Fi, 4.9 GHz Public Safety, pre-WiMAX and WiMAX mesh, the portfolio includes the flagship four-radio BelAir200 Wireless Multi-service Switch Router, the dual-radio BelAir100 Multi-service Node, the BelAir100C Multi-service Node featuring point-to-multipoint backhaul, the BelAir100S, the single-radio BelAir50C and BelAir50S, and the six-radio BelAir300 Converged Multi-service Wireless Node, all seamlessly managed by the BelAir BelView Network Management System.
About BelAir Networks
BelAir Networks is the first company to offer scalable, mobile wireless broadband mesh networking solutions with the highest quality for data, voice and video. The company teams with world-class global partners to deploy proven, cost-effective wireless broadband mesh networks. BelAir's wireless networking solutions are built on the only multi-service architecture for municipal wireless broadband deployments of Wi-Fi, WiMAX and 3G Cellular networks. Built specifically for outdoor-in 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 campuses. Founded in 2001, BelAir Networks is a privately held company. For more info, visit www.belairnetworks.com.
