CAMPBELL, CA--(Marketwire - March 23, 2010) - Exalt Communications, the company that is reinventing microwave backhaul, today unveiled ExtendAir™ zero-footprint Fast Ethernet and native TDM licensed microwave backhaul systems optimized for next generation LTE backhaul networks and metro area applications including WiMAX, Wi-Fi® and IP backhaul. With list prices starting at US$7,990 per link, these new systems offer the lowest cost per megabit-mile (CPMM) of any radio system in their class, slashing deployment and sparing costs for mobile operators, WISPs and enterprises requiring licensed-band links of up to 100 Mbps native Ethernet and native TDM. Now Exalt not only offers the industry's broadest portfolio of zero-footprint high-performance microwave radio systems, but also brings true and affordable carrier-class performance, reliability and security to every link in the backhaul network.
"The ExtendAir platform breaks new ground in licensed microwave backhaul for all last mile applications, offering network designers a highly reliable, secure alternative to fiber and leased lines at an unheard of cost per megabit-mile," said Amir Zoufonoun president and CEO of Exalt Communications. "For mobile operators, who are under severe pressure to support increasing data use against flat subscriber revenue, this results in a lower cost-per-bit. For WISPs, who are fighting for market share against larger network operators, it results in a lower cost to compete. And for enterprises, who are struggling with the transition from legacy voice-based systems to IP, it results in a less expensive and easier network migration."
Lower Cost per Bit for Mobile Operators
In addition to delivering the 'five-nines' availability that operators expect, the ExtendAir platform instantly upgrades leased lines and legacy PDH systems to 100 Mbps full duplex Ethernet plus 4xT1/E1, and enables simultaneous backhaul to existing 2G and newer, co-located 3G and 4G/LTE nodes -- without the need for separate transmission infrastructures. All the while meeting the most stringent latency requirements needed to support VoIP, video and Web 2.0. Additionally, the newest ExtendAir systems are zero-footprint, compact and lightweight, allowing ExtendAir to be deployed on towers quickly and easily, and a single radio can be used to spare the entire band at either end of the link. ExtendAir also paves the way for the inevitable transition to microcells and picocells at the network edge, as cell sites are split to accommodate growing data demand, and for the need to provide additional backhaul capacity in hot spots within the metro network.
Lower Cost to Compete for WISPs
Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) face intense competitive pricing pressure, requiring that they keep network infrastructure and installation costs to a minimum. ExtendAir offers WISPs for the first time, a high performance, low cost zero-footprint licensed microwave system ideal both for base station backhaul and for guaranteed last mile or "loop" connections to business customers. Because ExtendAir is compact and ultra-lightweight, it is 'tower-friendly' which translates to faster time-to-market and lower installation costs. And because a single radio can spare an entire band at both ends, lead times and sparing costs are greatly reduced. Service providers can also leverage the ExtendAir optional 3x10/100BaseT configuration -- an industry first for systems in this class -- to support up to three different customers in the same building at three different service levels, if desired, all the while reducing the costs of owning and operating the network.
Lower Cost of Migration for Enterprise and Government
Many enterprises and government agencies require TDM to support legacy voice systems as they roll out new IP-based applications. Hybrid ExtendAir systems -- which support both native TDM and native Ethernet -- enable transparent integration within existing WLAN and WAN network architectures and support any TDM to IP migration timeline. This pay-as-you-grow capability lowers capital costs and operating expenses, while allowing network operators to respond to critical network demands. With their compact and lightweight design, these ExtendAir systems are designed for easy installation on tower or rooftop using PoE.
ExtendAir Features Summary
ExtendAir systems offer plug-and-play 10/100BaseT connectivity (1xFE), with versions offering either 3x10/100BaseT or additional native 4xT1/E1 support. For deployment flexibility, ExtendAir systems are zero-footprint, with an enclosure supporting both direct-mount and remote-mount antenna alternatives. They are also first all-outdoor radios in the world to be equipped with field-replaceable diplexers. This translates into dramatically reduced lead times and sparing costs from 50% to 90%, enabling a single radio to spare an entire band.
The new licensed ExtendAir systems support QoS, VLAN and Ethernet rate limiting and can be ordered with two additional 10/100BaseT ports, eliminating the need for a separate Ethernet switch when configuring repeater sites or processing traffic from multiple video cameras. Designed for easy tower or rooftop installation using PoE, ExtendAir systems start small and can scale up to as much as 100 Mbps full duplex as network requirements change. All ExtendAir systems support secure SNMP v3 for management traffic and optional 128-bit and 256-bit AES.
The Exalt Microwave Backhaul Product Portfolio
All Exalt microwave backhaul systems offer guaranteed link availability, guaranteed throughput and low, constant latency. Systems are available in world bands from 2 to 40 GHz and in capacities from 10 Mbps to more than 1000 Mbps per channel, providing a range of options to fit countless network applications. Designed to enable a smooth transition to IP, they offer native support for both TDM and Ethernet, and are fully software configurable and upgradeable. For easy and secure management using third-party network management systems, Exalt systems support SNMP v1, v2c and v3. Data security is provided by available FIPS 197-compliant AES 128-bit and 256-bit encryption that adds zero latency to the transmission. To simplify installation and maintenance, all Exalt systems feature an embedded manual and most include a built-in spectrum analyzer.
About Exalt Communications
Exalt Communications provides next-generation microwave backhaul systems to service providers, government organizations and enterprises worldwide. Exalt systems are designed to solve the network bottlenecks associated with the growing demand for IP-based voice, data and video applications and the resulting migration from TDM to IP-based networks. With a flexible architecture and universal product platform covering multiple market segments, Exalt provides a full range of microwave radio systems that meet the demand for cost-effective and flexible alternatives to fiber and leased lines.
www.exaltcom.com
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Exalt Communications
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415-674-3816