Solving the DistanceWireless Backhaul Strategies

ByS. Jay Lawrence

Chief Executive OfficerGigaBeam Corporation

General Overview

• Killing the Myths

• Fiber Vs. Wireless – is there really a battle?

• Success = Hybrid Wireless-Fiber Network

Killing the Myths

Common Wireless Myths• Wireless is unreliable• Wireless has limited capacity• Wireless is prone to interference• Wireless has human risk factors• Wireless is a black art

NOTE:

Wireless Backhaul technologies in this discussion are the highly industrialized and sophisticated products used for first/last/middle mile network construction.

NOT TO BE CONFUSED with consumer applications such as mobile phones, PTT Radios, wireless home phones, etc.

Fact – Wireless is Reliable

• Properly installed, Wireless NETWORKS are:• Every bit as reliable as cabled networks• Quicker and often less expensive to deploy• Complementary to cabled networks

• In a wireless environment you must:• Physics, Physics, Physics……• Pick the right spectrum• Plan in 3-D

Fact – Lots of Wireless Capacity• New Spectrum in 70/80GHz

• Products today with 1Gbps-duplex payloads – 40Gbps on the horizon

• Solid technology for:– Last/middle/first mile backhaul– 4G/LTE backhaul networks– Resiliency – Metro Ethernet Networks

• Good 1 mile solution

• Microwave Solutions 15-40GHz• Multi hundred megabit per second – new 1Gbps coming to market• Solid technology, proven, in operation for decades• Longer distances, lighter payloads• Good 5 mile solution

Fact – Interference Easily Avoided

• 5 – P’s• Physics, Physics, Physics• Pick the Right Spectrum• Plan

• Beware of pretenders• Spectrum is to wireless as tires are to a car

– Don’t put knobby tires on a Ferrari

• No one wireless solutions solves all wireless problem– Wi-Fi isn’t the best pick for backhaul– Millimeter wave isn’t ready for Starbucks

Fact – Wireless is Safe

• Wireless is safe • Must understand the Spectrum utilized• Training is key• FCC or local regulator should have safety information

• Apply Common Sense• Don’t use a product without training• Ask Questions

• Backhoes are more dangerous• Most dangerous wireless devices are typically on

your belt clip

Fact – Wireless is Well Understood

Wireless products today are:• Well documented for easy use• Compliant to Telecom Standards• Moving toward IP (i.e. Metro Ethernet)• Easy to install with basic training

• In a properly designed network wireless:• Is just another node to manage• Looks like Fiber, Cat5/6 or COAX to the Network

Engineer

Fiber Vs. WirelessIs there really a battle?

The Apparent Battle

• Wireless Costs Less Vs. Fiber Works Better• Reality – you pick the best tool for the job

• Fiber has tons of capacity Vs. Wireless is limited• Reality – This is true but so what, again pick the best tool for the

job.

• Wireless is environmentally friendly Vs. Fiber trenching destroys the environment

• Reality – This is true but apply common sense and don’t dig in Natural Parks and Animal Reservations

We could go on for hours but the conclusion is rather quite simple, which is Fiber and Wireless……

Complement Each Other• Fiber can handle Terabits per circuit :: Wireless up to a

Gigabit.• Fiber is very effective for long haul :: Wireless is very effective

for first/last/middle mile• Resiliency cannot be achieved with only one technology

– Per the LMTUWG there must be Multiple – Paths / Medium / Riser Access

• If Fiber is not installed :: Wireless can effectively extend– Wireless can offer quick time to service :: more bits over fiber– Excellent for intercity laterals, bridges, etc.– If Fiber is ultimately deployed then backup/redeploy wireless– Wireless can easily redeploy to solve new challenges as they arise

Success =

Hybrid Wireless-Fiber Network

HWFN

• Blends technologies for maximum performance

• Best tool for the job (necessary for all telecom solutions)

• Leverages features of each technology• Maximizes creativity

The Existing Network

Ultra Broadband Extension

Broadband Wireless Access

Extension to Rural Market

Rural Broadband

Conclusion• Wireless and Fiber create the best overall solution

when in cooperation• Both technologies have STRENGTHS and

WEAKNESSES.• On average, per a recent FCC report, Fiber Cable is cut 16 times

per 1,000 ft or roughly 1 cut per day.• Wireless must be selected to accommodate the 5-Ps

• A well designed NETWORK will:• Account for strength and weakness across technologies

– “Best tool for the job”• Achieve resiliency for disaster avoidance – requires multiple

technologies.• Economically meet users needs