Written by: Aldo Bolle and Andrea Nascimbene

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Microwave links became an enormous success with the roll-out of second-generation mobile networks. With close to 500,000 units delivered to date, the Ericsson family of MINI-LINK microwave products has an important role in mobile operator networks. Now, the advent of third-generation mobile networks is starting a new wave of deployment characterized by cost-effective and flexible roll-out, and short site-to-site distance. Moreover, we are seeing a shift in focus from plain point-to-point bit transport to a network view with optimized site solutions.

The authors address the launch of Ericsson's microwave solution for transmission in current second-generation and imminent third-generation mobile networks, showing how combined use of the point-to-multipoint and point-to-point technologies provides the most cost-effective and spectrum-efficient solution.

[First published in Ericsson Review no. 03, 2002]