Virgin Media Business Trial Validates Fastback Networks 5GHz Non Line of Sight Mobile Backhaul
Intelligent Backhaul Radio demonstrates cost effective delivery of SLAs
San Jose, California — Sept. 23, 2014 — Fastback® Networks today announced completion of a Virgin Media Business trial evaluation validating the Fastback Intelligent Backhaul Radio™ (IBR) capability to deliver Non Line of Sight (NLOS) radio systems, providing reliable, high-speed backhaul connectivity even in challenging urban conditions where there is no line of sight between different access points.
The Fastback IBR is the first vendor device tested in the Virgin Media Business trials to achieve the trial performance targets in NLOS, while preserving SLAs with the fewest number of radio links. In the Small Cells Wireless Backhaul 90-day trial conducted in Leeds, UK, the Virgin Media Business team validated the 5GHz IBR device capability for reliable, high-speed provision of LTE and LTE-A services across Line-of-Sight (LOS), near Line-of-Sight (nLOS), and Non-Line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions. These singular trial results demonstrate the potential of the IBR to cost-effectively extend Virgin Media Business’ offerings for Small Cell Backhaul services.
“These trials are validating the technology solutions that will transform mobile backhaul and enable a new class of cost-effective LTE and LTE-A wholesale services,” said Bruce Girdlestone, Senior Business Development Manager, Virgin Media Business. “The Fastback solution demonstrated capability for services to run over a variety of distances in both LOS and NLOS urban environments with a reliable, high speed, 5GHz wireless backhaul connection to the Virgin Media Business fibre network.”
“Fastback is pleased to participate in the Virgin Media Business industry leading evaluation of advanced technology for wholesale services,” said Kevin Duffy, CEO & Co-founder, Fastback Networks. “Our solution for fibre equivalent services over wireless is effectively creating fibre fill-in, and enabling service operators to innovate services and reach new customers.”
The Virgin Media Business trial, conducted in Leeds City Centre, examined high speed wireless backhaul performance between 10-12m height street columns for small cells, providing a connection at specified points to a Virgin Media Business’ fibre point of presence.
The radio links were determined to validate technology performance and robustness in the given locations to the highest possible level to meet requirements for LTE and LTE-A small cells. Over a 90-day period, the trial assessed the effects of city infrastructure, canyon style streets, traffic, and weather patterns, on LOS, nLOS, and NLOS links in an urban environment.
Fastest Installation
The trial validated the IBR’s unprecedented ease of installation, allowing quick and efficient installation. At installation, the installer visually aligned the IBR by pointing it in the general direction of the other end of the link. Within minutes the device was operational, as the IBR intelligent auto discovery and synchronization features automatically synchronized and optimized the link.
High Performance Service Requirements in Unlicensed Spectrum
During the trial, the Fastback IBR exceeded performance targets across LOS, nLOS, and NLOS conditions, demonstrating delivery of carrier grade SLAs in unlicensed spectrum. The trial validated the IBR’s ability to sustain the high performance service requirements of LTE backhaul while simultaneously mitigating severe levels of interference common in unlicensed spectrum. This functionality establishes new levels of certainty and reliability for use of unlicensed spectrum, removing past impediments to its use for carrier grade mobile backhaul.
About Fastback Networks
Fastback Networks was founded with a vision to deliver innovative technology for the mobile infrastructure of the future, enabling network operators to deliver new services, tap new markets and monetize a new generation of mobile applications. With insights derived from the collective team’s experience building leading edge radio and data networking solutions, Fastback Networks looked at the challenges of 4G/LTE deployment with fresh eyes and better ideas, and developed a transformational mobile transport solution that enables the acceleration of next generation mobile services. Fastback Networks is a privately held company funded by Matrix Partners, Foundation Capital, Granite Ventures, and Juniper Networks Junos Innovation Fund. More information is available at www.fastbacknetworks.com.
Fastback Networks is a trademark of Fastback Networks. Copyright 09/2014, Fastback Networks. All rights reserved.
