Cable Broadband Wireless Access Makes Its Debut

Scientific-Atlanta Inc. is collaborating with Tropos Networks Inc. to expand its hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) solutions for cable operators to include enhanced versions of Tropos Networks’ MetroMesh Wi-Fi products in its portfolio.

“A lot of the cable companies are interested in adding mobility to their mix for the quadruple play,” explains Bert Williams, vice president of product marketing at Tropos Networks. “It’s been assumed that would come in the form of cellular, but that forces cablecos to become MVNOs. With mesh, they can own and operate their own network, leverage their existing assets and do it more cost-effectively than buying airtime from someone else.”

With Wi-Fi mesh deployed, cablecos could offer anywhere Internet access and roll out VoIP over Wi-Fi for mobile voice. “Research shows that consumers desire and are willing to pay for high-speed data connectivity anytime and anywhere,” says Bob Scott, director of wireless networking at Scientific-Atlanta. “Our fully integrated wireless solution can help cable operators offer citywide Wi-Fi connectivity to support high-speed data and multimedia applications such as music, video, gaming and, soon, mobile VoIP.”

The technology also will allow MSOs to compete in the municipal market, particularly when it comes to automation applications such as public safety, meter reading and video surveillance, he notes.

The Tropos 5210 MetroMesh Router

When it comes to QoS required for business and municipal applications, much has been made of unlicensed Wi-Fi mesh not holding up to licensed broadband wireless access or cellular approaches. Not so, says Williams. “We have been improving call capacity and quality of service with the addition of 802.11g in the 5210 outdoor MetroMesh routers,” says Williams. “We’re also committed to the 802.11e standard for QoS, making Layer 3 QoS enhancements, and using 802.11n and MIMO.” With more than 200 metro-scale Wi-Fi networks in 25 countries and its proprietary Predictive Wireless Routing Protocol, Williams says Tropos Networks is well able to deliver multimegabit connectivity for reliable IP-based voice, video and data applications on a citywide basis.

Scientific-Atlanta is reselling MetroMesh products, and the companies will collaborate on enhancing the Tropos 5210s to support strand-mounting, coaxial powering options and fiber converters, so cable operators can integrate broadband wireless functionality directly into HFC systems. To enable cable operators to leverage the inherent data transmission advantage of the HFC network, Scientific-Atlanta is developing both hardened optical and coaxial backhaul solutions.

“The MSOs have several distinct advantages when it comes to deploying mesh,” says Williams. “They have a lot of fiber so backhaul is there; they have mounting assets and pole attachment rights in place for a leg up on the installation, and they have line power. They can easily parlay that into a wireless infrastructure.”

Since Wi-Fi is a new area for most MSOs, Scientific-Atlanta will provide a range of professional services to get their wireless networks up and running. Scientific-Atlanta’s SciCare Broadband Services Group will supply a wide range of installation and integration services, ranging from installation of a few wireless routers as part of initial technician training up to full citywide turnkey installations.

Also, SciCare will offer network operators ongoing product lifecycle support in conjunction with a service support agreement.

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