Wireless optical mesh solution suits SMB market

ClearMesh Networks has announced the launch of its next generation wireless optical mesh solution, the ClearMesh Metro Grid. According to ClearMesh, the new mesh solution enables service providers to roll out business-class services at 5-100Mbps to small and medium business (SMB) markets. For the first time, service providers can leapfrog legacy copper and economically roll-out a fiber-grade wireless infrastructure without trenching fiber, the company said.

The new technology promises to extend the reach of metro Ethernet networks, where lateral expansion of fiber would require significant up-front investment and months for deployment. It complements existing Wi-Fi and WiMAX service deployments by infusing additional bandwidth in high density metro areas, the company said, expanding the customer base for wireless networks.

For wireless Internet service providers, the solution promises the ability to economically serve the dense metro SMB market with high-bandwidth business-grade services beyond those offered by Wi-Fi or WiMAX solutions. Operating in the license-free band, ClearMesh said the solution enables wireless service providers to overcome the crowded RF spectrum and deliver high-quality services in dense metro areas.

Metro Ethernet service providers can expect to cost-effectively deliver business-class Ethernet services in a matter of days and at a fraction of the cost of trenching fiber. This extends the fiber service providers' market by enabling them to reach a large number of medium-sized businesses and "light-up" underutilized core fiber, the company said.

"SMBs increasingly rely on broadband connectivity for Internet-based, mission-critical applications," said Suresh Nihalani, president and CEO of ClearMesh Networks. "We provide a truly scalable access network solution, enabling service providers to deliver the necessary bandwidth to support high-margin service bundles including VoIP, network backup, video conferencing, multimedia and security, at an affordable price."

ClearMesh said service providers can immediately begin to market fiber-grade Ethernet services and extend the physical reach of the Metro Grid as more customers sign up—a true pay-as-you-grow solution.

The Metro Grid solution is immediately available and is comprised of two products: the ClearMesh 300 (CM 300) node and the ClearMesh Management System (CMS). A Metro Grid deployment consists of ClearMesh 300 nodes which can be pole or roof-mounted. This integrated networking platform combines high-capacity Ethernet switching and low-cost wireless optical transport with business-grade Ethernet service delivery interfaces, said the company.

Using secure optical transmission, the CM 300 promises up to 300Mbps of wire-speed, ultra-low latency and full-duplex service capacity. This allows service providers to deliver enough capacity to concurrently serve thousands of VoIP calls, video streams and Internet sessions. The CMS promises service providers carrier-class tools for mesh-wide installation, diagnostics, service analysis and provisioning to support fast and efficient service deployment across the Metro Grid.