BelAir Networks Achieves Industry First with BelAir100SX Cable-Mounted Node for WiMAX and Wi-Fi
New product leverages cable operators' infrastructure with both licensed and license-free wireless spectrum
Washington, DC, The Cable Show, April 1, 2009 - Rather than debating the relative merits of licensed vs. license-free wireless spectrum, many cable operators worldwide are now in an ideal position to leverage both to deliver high-performance mobile broadband wireless services to business and residential customers. BelAir Networks, the market leader in service provider WLAN, today announced the BelAir100SX, the industry's first dual mode WiMAX/Wi-Fi wireless node optimized for deployment on existing cable infrastructure, including aerial plant, pedestal, cabinet and vault mounting options.
BelAir Networks, already deployed in the largest and most advanced consumer Wi-Fi networks in North America and Europe, was first to market with both FCC-approved WiMAX mesh nodes (based on 802.16d) and strand-mounted Wi-Fi nodes optimized for cable operators. The latest innovation, the new BelAir100SX, leverages the company's modular architecture to combine the functions of a mobile WiMAX 802.16e base station, a Wi-Fi access point, and a DOCSIS? cable modem in one compact, ruggedized product that integrates with existing cable infrastructure for mounting, power and backhaul. This micro-cellular approach provides better coverage, bandwidth and spectrum utilization while eliminating many of the time-consuming and costly issues associated with traditional macro-cellular tower and rooftop deployments, including site acquisition and provisioning of backhaul.
"Cable operators are well positioned to increase subscriber retention and revenues by adding mobility to their current triple play bundles," said Berge Ayvazian, Chief Strategy Officer, Yankee Group. "With the modular, dual mode and cable-ready BelAir100SX node, BelAir Networks has made it faster, more economical and less risky for cable operators to capitalize on the complementary nature of licensed and license-free wireless technology associated with large scale wireless network deployments."
Driven by the BelAirOS operating system and BelView network management used throughout the company's award-winning portfolio, the BelAir100SX also supports seamless integration with the cable operator's back office infrastructure to facilitate service provisioning and bundling, ease deployment and operation, and reduce network commissioning and upgrade costs. The BelAir Networks portfolio, including the new BelAir100SX, utilizes a modular architecture, enabling any combination of licensed and license-free spectrum – currently including Wi-Fi, WiMAX, 4.9 GHz Public Safety, 5.9 GHz ITS and 4.4 GHz military bands – to be supported simultaneously on one network deployment. This modular architecture also protects the network investment by enabling a migration path to future technologies such as LTE and 'whitespace'.
"BelAir Networks has been working with cable operators for years, helping them deploy everything from hotel and campus hotspots to large-scale community hot zones, so we understand how to integrate seamlessly with their network and business operations and support their long-term network evolution," said Dave Park, VP, Product Marketing, BelAir Networks. "BelAir Networks has always been differentiated by our carrier-grade technology, modular architecture, and customer-focused innovation – the BelAir100SX is the latest proof of that commitment."
BelAir Networks #1 market share for the last six quarters is a result of the company's successful deployments with major cable and telecom operators, and world class hotels and resorts including Westin, Sheraton and Hyatt. The company also delivers Wi-Fi coverage at high-profile locations including Lincoln Center in New York, the London Eye in the UK, and Dolphin Stadium in Miami and in ship to shore applications for the US Navy.
You can see and learn more about the BelAir100SX at BelAir Networks booth #3149 at the The Cable Show, being held April 1 – 3, 2009 at the Washington Convention Center, in Washington, DC.
Dave Park will also host a live webcast: "From Here to 4G, Capitalizing on Wi-Fi" on Tuesday, April 28 at 2:00 pm EDT and on Thursday, April 30 at 2:00 pm EDT and 2:00 pm GMT. For more details or to register:www.belairnetworks.com/webcasts.
More information on the BelAir100SX is also available at www.belairnetworks.com/index.cfm/products/BelAir100SX.
About BelAir Networks
BelAir Networks is the trusted brand of the world's most demanding customers, including Comcast, Cablevision and other leading MSOs. BelAir Networks is the technology and market leader delivering the industry's highest performance mobile broadband networking solutions for video, voice and data applications. Supporting the latest industry standards in the Wi-Fi, WiMAX, 4.9 GHz, 5.9 GHz and 4.4 GHz spectrum bands, BelAir Networks solutions are built on a patented modular architecture enabling multiple frequencies on a single network. BelAir Networks indoor and outdoor broadband wireless solutions deploy quickly, blending into the physical environment and integrating easily with existing infrastructure. Founded in 2001, BelAir Networks is a privately held company backed by investment from leading venture capital firms including Comcast Interactive Capital, T-Mobile Venture Fund and Trilogy Equity Partners. For more information about BelAir Networks products and customers, visit www.belairnetworks.com.
Sheila Burpee Duncan
BelAir Networks
613.254.7070 ext. 134
sburpeeduncan@belairnetworks.com