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While this was first implementation of this radio spectrum, other innovative and approved uses of spectrum are changing the way our companies thinks about voice and data connectivity beyond the local area network implementation known popularly as WiFi.
One such implementation has impact on the many businesses that use a MAN. A MAN is a Metropolitan Area Network that encompasses more than one building in a relatively close geographic area. Common examples include college or corporate campuses or even governments that have buildings in geographic proximity. Simply put, a MAN provides building-to-building connectivity.
The MAN challenge. The ideal connectivity between buildings is provided with fiber, because it addresses many concerns: security, more control over signal tenuation or loss of signal, and eliminates the line of sight requirements of other traditional methodologies. Still, a fiber connection can be very expensive and creating redundant connectivity can further amplify that tremendous burden. Furthermore, inherently fiber is point-to-point, connecting the individual locations that are wired one-to-one.
Other technologies have other issues including those with microwave that can cost $20,000 or more per building connected, require FCC licensing, and can still have significant limitations.
A solution. Wave Wireless Networking (WaveWireless.com), is one company trying to fill this need with its SpeedLan line of products. Recently, I talked with Patrick Pacifico and Kevin Ewing about the wireless MAN offerings in the marketplace.
Wireless MAN. While there is an evolving set of standards for wireless MAN solutions both fixed and mobile that are classified as 802.16x, the standard generally relies on spectrum that can more easily deliver very wide bandwidth, 10-66 GHz. Nowadays, much of this spectrum still requires that frequencies used be licensed. The alternative is to use freer spectrum also used in the wireless LAN (802.11x) world: 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, or 5.8 GHz.
Fortunately, the standards organization has nearly finalized 802.11g, a standard with up to 54 megabits-per-second (mbps) bandwidth for these shorter spectrums. This is fostering development of very fast wireless technologies even for these shorter spectrums.
Choosing a wireless MAN solution. Making the right decision for wireless technologies is very difficult. A MAN choice exacerbates the confusion, since there are fewer fixed wireless MAN implementations and informed integrators than for MANs. Nonetheless, Patrick and Kevin have the following process and criteria that can help us come to the best results for our organizations.
As important as it is for any corporate connectivity's purpose to be well-defined at the outset for the best results, for a wireless MAN's design this is even more important. The focus of a LAN or even WAN (wide area network) is a discrete building or buildings with a very clear coverage area that is usually entirely under your control. A MAN involves linking structures that frequently have public areas and sometimes other private areas separating them. So, we must evaluate the sites' abilities to support fixed broadband wireless without spectrum saturation, typically using a spectrum analyzer.
In addition, we must be clear why we are installing fixed broadband wireless as a solution. Is this replacing or augmenting existing infrastructure? Is it inherently supposed to be disaster-prepared itself or is it a strategy to create redundancy to other connectivity? What type of traffic will be using this bandwidth -- data, voice, or even video? What is the expected peak and mean bandwidth usage expected to be?
Fixed wireless MAN solutions, using both lower and higher frequencies, must be evaluated amongst themselves as well as in contrast with other traditional methods. Some of the criteria in making a choice are typical, but a discussion of them is appropriate.
Only five percent of buildings and homes worldwide have a broadband connection to the outside. Some forecasters believe the opportunities that fixed broadband MAN technologies will reach all of us sometime in the future. Regardless of that reality, for some us the payback can be much sooner, with returns potentially far exceeding the faddish rush to WiFi.
Read more articles by Mr. Yudkowsky.
CHAIM YUDKOWSKY, CPA, is president of Byte of Success Inc., a technology consulting company specializing in helping small and mid-size business grow. He may be reached at 301-937-4555 or cyudkowsky@ByteofSuccess.com. Chaim is available to speak to your group or business on a variety of technology topics. |
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