Alvarion brings Service Providers (Wireless ISPs) and Local Telcos a new kind of broadband
network infrastructure – one that is scalable, affordable and quick to deploy …
anywhere.
Today’s competitive market demands solutions that launch the service provision
industry to a new level, above and beyond the model of simple Internet access.
Our comprehensive solutions allow providers to offer their customers robust,
high-speed wireless Internet connectivity, plus a full complement of value-added
service options, including, VoIP, VPNs and QoS.
Ideal for both large and small Wireless ISPs (WISPs), Alvarion’s solutions
provide a comprehensive range of broadband wireless access applications for data
and voice, enabling providers to effectively compete in a market environment
where enhanced services represent the defining factor in generating new and
profitable revenue sources. Leveraging wireless technology to provide broadband
data and voice services allows Wireless ISPs (WISPs) and Telcos to extend their
reach to new residential and business customers in the last mile.
With its vast, proven R&D experience and hundreds of successful deployments
worldwide, Alvarion offers Service Providers (Wireless ISPs) a superior broadband wireless
access (BWA) alternative that is secure, consistently reliable and affordable.
Great for reaching high growth markets such as SMEs (small and mid-sized
enterprise), SOHOs (small office home office) and private residences, Alvarion’s
BreezeACCESS™ and BreezeNET® wireless products are high-performance alternatives
that outperform DSL and cable networks in terms of bandwidth, QoS and
reliability. Moreover, the inherent mobility of our wireless solutions help
Wireless ISPs (WISPs) extend their businesses to areas that cable has not
reached and that DSL cannot serve.
Alvarion’s Service Provider solutions require minimal initial investments and
roll out quickly, allowing immediate customer revenues – a major factor in
implementing a successful business strategy in the current market. Through
reduced installation costs, expedited network deployment and the use of standard
IP-based components, Alvarion products deliver Providers a fast return on
investment and enable them to build profitable and sustainable voice and data
businesses in every market segment.
BreezeNET and BreezeACCESS operate in the 2.4 GHz license-free ISM band and are
approved for deployment in most countries.
ISP BWA Solutions for MDU/MTU Buildings
The MDU/MTU market represents an
opportunity for Wireless ISPs (WISPs) deploying Internet
access services. Alvarion''''''''s Broadband Wireless Access
systems offer a quick and affordable method of reaching
these buildings.
Broadband Wireless Internet Access
Broadband Wireless Access enables
Wireless ISPs (WISPs) to break the access monopoly,
building a wireless access infrastructure to reach their
customers directly and to bypass wired access networks.
ISP BWA Infrastructure
Alvarion''''''''s BreezeACCESS offers Wireless
ISPs (WISPs) minimal entry cost, fast return on
investment, scalable growth and new market reach. The
feature-rich systems deliver a variety of data and voice
services.
ISP BWA Solutions for MDU/MTU Buildings
Introduction
Multiple Dwelling Unit / Multiple Tenant Unit (MDU/MTU) buildings are a major
opportunity for Wireless ISPs (WISPs) deploying Internet access and value added
services to residential and business customers. A large proportion of
residences, and by far the majority of businesses are located in buildings with
more than one tenant. MDU tenants often have common interests, which makes it
easier to bundle packaged services for which they''''''''ll be likely to pay a premium.
However, due to technical and administrative issues, reaching these customers
with broadband has been and remains a challenge to many Wireless ISPs (WISPs).
MDUs are typically residential apartment buildings, either rental or
condominium. MTUs, on the other hand, are office buildings with more than one
business tenant.
Broadband Wireless Access makes reaching an MDU or MTU with high-speed data
services simple. A single wireless CPE can be shared amongst all subscribers in
the building, reducing equipment cost and maintenance. Distributing the services
to tenants is possible through a number of mechanisms, described below.
Distribution Using Existing Telephone Wiring
The simplest method of distributing voice and data services to end-users is by
using an in-building voice and data transport solution that utilizes existing
telephone wiring. Available from a number of vendors, such solutions present
Ethernet and POTS interfaces at each residential or business unit, transporting
data and analogue voice over the telephone wiring for distance of up to 500
meters, typically using a variant of xDSL technology. The wires are aggregated
at a central unit, or DSLAM, which splits the traffic into POTS telephony – sent
to the local exchange carrier CO over the legacy copper wiring – and data –
which connects to the wireless access equipment, in our case, a single BWA CPE
unit for the entire building.
Distribution Using Category 5 Wiring
Another method is to use Ethernet as the in-building transport mechanisms. This
requires the installation of category 5 cabling from the roof of the building to
each unit. Though sounding prohibitively expensive, this is sometimes as cost
effective as other solutions, in buildings where customer penetration is high.
In this solution, each customer is simply provided with an Ethernet connection.
Distribution Using Wireless LAN
Traffic may be distributed to apartments or offices in an MDU or MTU by
deploying wireless LAN. In this application, Category 5 cabling need only be
installed to the floor – not to every unit. Access points are distributed on the
floors, in a manner ensuring coverage of all units in the building. Each
subscriber is provided with a wireless PC Card or a stand alone Station Adaptor,
and has access to up to 11 Mbits/sec of connectivity.
The access points are aggregated by an Ethernet switch, which connects to the
Broadband Wireless Access CPE on the rooftop.
Microcell Deployment
A completely different method of addressing customers in MDUs or MTUs involves
deploying very small cells and indoor-only CPEs at the customer premises. With
this method microcells, sometimes known as picocells, are placed near the
building to be served and “light up” one or two sides of the building, providing
service to the residences that have windows on that side of the building. Users
can install the CPE units themselves, by placing them near the window or using a
small patch antenna that can be placed on the window using a suction cup.
Occasionally, more than one picocell is required to serve a single building, as
not all units have access to the sides of the building covered by any one cell.
MDU/MTU Distribution Considerations
In all of these MDU/MTU solutions, it is vital to ensure separation of users
traffic. This is achieved by assigning separate 802.1Q VLANs to each user, or by
using data switches with an option to send traffic only to a specific downlink
port – towards the network core. It is also critical to ensure that high
priority traffic gets high priority in the building and the remainder of the
network. This is achieved by using 802.1p and IP ToS priorities.
Summary
The MDU/MTU market represents an opportunity for Wireless ISPs (WISPs) deploying
Internet access services. MDU/MTUs offer the unique ability to leverage
marketing efficiencies and can provide for rapid ROI. Broadband Wireless Access
is a quick and affordable method of reaching these buildings. The challenge of
distributing broadband throughout the building is addressed by a number of
alternative technologies and solutions.
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Broadband Wireless Internet Access
Today’s customer require Service Providers (Wireless ISPs) to offer high-speed “always on”
Internet services. No longer is dial-up sufficient for most users. In order to
achieve this, Wireless ISPs (WISPs) utilize a broadband access solution – to
connect their customers over the “last mile”, from the ISP Point of Presence (PoP)
to their subscriber premises. The typical solution is to partner with a carrier
or cable operator that deploys wired broadband access technologies like DSL or
cable modems. In the process, Wireless ISPs (WISPs) relinquish a high proportion
of their Internet access revenue. Customers of Wireless ISPs (WISPs) accessing
the network via DSL and cable modems suffer from the slow rollouts, poor service
and technical problems of these access technologies. Internet services become a
commodity, competing on price alone.
With Broadband Wireless Access, Wireless ISPs (WISPs) can break the access
monopoly, building a wireless access infrastructure, reaching their customers
directly and bypassing wired access networks. In this manner, Wireless ISPs (WISPs)
are able to address customers not otherwise reached by broadband, due to the
limitations of DSL and cable modems. Wireless ISPs (WISPs) can keep the entire
broadband revenue pie, without having to pay costly inter-connect charges to the
carrier. BWA reduces churn, increasing customer loyalty by providing high
quality service that can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively.
Built specifically for the stringent requirements of the BWA market, Alvarion’s
BreezeACCESS system has been designed to make Broadband Wireless Access
infrastructure deployment quick, simple and cost-effective. BreezeACCESS
incorporates the state-of-the-market form factor and technology integration.
BreezeACCESS allows both small and large providers to benefit from the best of
broadband access alternatives: BreezeACCESS II operates in the 2.4GHz unlicensed
frequency band; BreezeACCESS MMDS operates in the 2.5-2.7GHz MMDS band;
BreezeACCESS XL operates in the licensed 3.5GHz band. While many providers
choose to operate in the unlicensed band to avoid license fees and regulatory
issues, some may own some spectrum in a licensed band hence they may prefer to
use a licensed band system, or even a hybrid deployment of licensed and
unlicensed band systems.
Alvarion BreezeACCESS is based on packet-switching technology optimized for IP
based applications, allowing “always on” connectivity at high data rates
bursting to 3 Mbits/sec per subscriber. Deploying an Alvarion BreezeACCESS
wireless infrastructure requires minimal entry cost, and provides fast return on
investment. Once the wireless infrastructure is in place, the modular design
allows for scalable and incremental growth. BreezeACCESS allows both existing
and new Wireless ISPs (WISPs) to reach new markets and connect additional
customers quickly. With commonly used Ethernet interfaces on both CPE and base
station equipment, interfacing to a standard data communications network is
seamless.
Using the BreezeACCESS Committed Information Rate (CIR) and Maximum Information
Rate (MIR) features, Wireless ISPs (WISPs) can guarantee bandwidth to select
customers, while limiting the bandwidth of others, allowing tiered fee schedules
and additional revenue. Layer 2 and 3 traffic priorities using 802.1p and IP ToS
allow the implementation of additional service options, such as platinum, gold
and silver services.
Alvarion BreezeACCESS is secure, supporting RC4 based Wired Equivalent Privacy.
Additional security is provided by means of Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
wireless technology, frequency shift sequences and by requiring an Extended
Service Set Identifier (ESSID) for entry into the network.
Alvarion BreezeACCESS support tunneling protocols such as PPPoE for easy
provisioning with authentication and authorization.
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ISP BWA InfrastructureWireless ISPs (WISPs) use
sectorized base stations which are deployed to provide radio coverage to the
targeted area, and frequency channels are reused in other base station sectors,
making most efficient use of available spectrum. Base stations are connected to
the ISP PoP using wired or wireless point-to-point solutions.
Base stations may have one, four, six or eight sectors. The choice of sector
scheme depends on the available spectrum and subscriber density. A base station
is typically deployed on a rooftop or antenna mast. The base station equipment
includes both outdoor and indoor parts. The outdoor part of the base station
including the radio unit and the antenna are securely installed on the antenna
mast or rooftop pole. Cables connect the outdoor units to the indoor parts,
located in a room on the rooftop or in a weatherproofed cabinet. The indoor
parts include the base station shelf, power sources and complementary voice and
data communications equipment used to aggregate and backhaul user traffic.
End users are provided with customer premises equipment (CPE). CPEs come in two
configurations: 1. A fully indoor, simple installation unit with integral
antennas or a detached patch antenna that is placed on a window. 2. A two-piece
unit consisting of an outdoor unit with the radio and antenna, connected to an
indoor unit, which supplies it with power and communications via a single cable.
In both cases, the CPE receives power and presents and Ethernet port to the user.
The Alvarion BreezeACCESS system has been designed to make BWA infrastructure
deployment quick, simple and cost effective. BreezeACCESS allows both small and
large Wireless ISPs (WISPs) to benefit from the best of broadband access
alternatives. BreezeACCESS operates in the 2.4GHz unlicensed, as well as the
MMDS and 3.5GHz licensed frequency bands. While many Wireless ISPs (WISPs)
choose to operate in the unlicensed band to avoid the license fees and
regulatory issues, some may choose a licensed band system, or even a hybrid
deployment of licensed and unlicensed band systems.
Alvarion BreezeACCESS is based on packet switching technology optimized for IP
based applications, allowing “always on” connectivity at high data rates
bursting to 3Mbps per subscriber. Deploying an Alvarion BreezeACCESS wireless
infrastructure requires minimal entry cost, and provides fast return on
investment. Once the wireless infrastructure is in place, the modular design
allows for scalable and incremental growth. BreezeACCESS allows both existing
and new Wireless ISPs (WISPs) to reach new markets and connect additional
customers quickly. With the commonly used Ethernet interfaces on both CPE and
base station equipment, interfacing standard data communications equipment is
seamless.
The Alvarion BreezeACCESS CPE, known as a Subscriber Unit (SU) is installed at
the customer premises and provides a standard IEEE 802.3 Ethernet 10BaseT
(R-J45) connection, as well as optional POTS port. There are two main variants
of subscriber units. Indoor only units can be installed at sites close to the
base. Indoor/outdoor versions, consisting of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit
are required at sites located further from the base station using an integrated
antenna for a detached patch antenna that is placed at the window. A single
subscriber unit can support one, eight or an unlimited number of users,
depending on the model.
The Alvarion BreezeACCESS base station shelf is a 19” rack mounted chassis with
dual, redundant power supplies, housing up to six access unit cards. Multiple
shelves can be installed in a single base station, to increase capacity. A fully
equipped BreezeACCESS base station can serve as many as 1000 subscribers, with
each having peak throughput of up to 3 Mbits/sec. Each access unit card connects
to an outdoor unit via an easily installed cable that carries data, signaling
and power. The outdoor unit is connected to a sector antenna. The access unit
card also has an Ethernet port via which it communicates with the backbone
network. BreezeACCESS also features a unique standalone Access Unit, a single
radio unit base station for pico-cell deployments.
Traffic from all access units is aggregated using a standard Ethernet hub or
switch. Traffic is backhauled to the ISP PoP using a variety of techniques and
protocols including:
- Wireless point-to-point links
- E1/T1 telco lines
- Ethernet over fiber
At the ISP PoP, traffic is routed to Internet and to the ISP network,
providing access to Wireless ISPs (WISPs) provided value added services such as
application hosting, backup services or web hosting.
Alvarion BreezeACCESS base stations may be deployed in macrocell, microcell and
even picocell deployment. Macrocells, in which cell radius exceeds 5Km and may
be as high as tens of Km, can be achieved in areas where line of sight is
possible, and in deployments where all subscribers have outdoor antennas. The
other extreme is a deployment, where all users have indoor-only CPEs, and there
is no line of sight between base station and CPE. In such a scenario, picocells
with radii of less than one Km must be deployed to give proper radio coverage to
all users. The middle ground involves a deployment with cells that allow some
non line of sight deployments, close to the base station and require line of
sight to farther customers. Such microcells can typically cover an area with a
radius of a few Km.
Traffic separation between end users, maintained in the Alvarion BreezeACCESS
system using 802.1Q VLAN tagging, is preserved in the backhaul network using
techniques like mapping of 802.1Q VLAN tags to ATM virtual circuits or MPLS
labels. Similarly, priority of traffic is assured end-to-end in the backbone
using IP ToS, or mapping 802.1p priorities to ATM circuit specifications or to
MPLS labels.
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