E-band… the Enterprise band?
Head of Account Solutions, Americas
Head of Account Solutions, Americas
Head of Account Solutions, Americas
Introduction
High-speed internet access is critical for enterprises to compete in the internet economy. Yet still, a surprising number of businesses have limited access to high-speed internet services (source: GAO-21-494 Report on Broadband for Small Businesses). In some cases, the availability of fiber-based internet access isn’t convenient. And for others, the cost to gain access to fiber can be prohibitive.
This blog explores how lightly licensed, point-to-point microwave links using the E-band (70/80GHz) can present a cost-effective, quick, and easy way for enterprises of all sizes to connect their offices to the internet.
Fiber is great, but sometimes it’s not pragmatic
While fiber connectivity to businesses and homes continues its steady march forward, I regularly come across situations with our customers where fiber connectivity is just not a viable option, especially in dense urban environments.
The most typical case is that access to a fiber network is simply not available, where and when an enterprise might need it. This invariably leads to the make-or-buy discussion regarding access to fiber. For most enterprises, the cost to extend fiber connections can be significant and take a long time to complete. And lastly, deploying fiber is just impractical or even impossible in some cases.
E-band point-to-point microwave – "fiber in the sky"
A lightly licensed, point-to-point microwave radio link using E-band (70/80GHz spectrum) is a great alternative that overcomes these inconvenient situations with gaining access to fiber.
First, an E-band link offers high performance at a low cost. With 2000MHz channel sizes, high-frequency reuse, and technology advancements like XPIC, an E-band link can offer enterprise locations up to 20Gbps Ethernet connection at 74 percent lower cost compared to installing fiber over the same distance. It’s also reliable.
The link is easily licensed by government regulators, and registration of the E-band link minimizes risk of interference. Coupled with a robust system design and high-gain antennas, the link will operate rock solid.
It’s fast to design and deploy. Assuming site acquisition approvals are granted and there’s ready access to power, a trained team of installation professionals can install an E-band link in less than a day. I’ve personally done it, so if I can do it, anyone can.
It’s secure. With advanced SW features that encrypt enterprise data traversing the link, enterprises can feel secure that their data is protected.
Finally, it’s flexible. The link can be moved easily and reused at different locations as enterprise network requirements evolve.
Proven technology for enterprises
So, how can enterprises take advantage of E-band link connectivity?
E-band links have been deployed instead of fiber in the following use cases and locations, providing high-capacity, reliable, and secure network connectivity:
- campus buildings and complexes – colleges & universities, government, corporate offices, business parks
- critical infrastructure locations – seaports, rail depots, power plants, airports, military installations
- industrial sites – mining sites, oil and gas refineries, drilling platforms
- smart cities – IoT connectivity in dense, urban locations where deploying new fiber creates disruption
- MDU’s/MTU’s – apartment complexes, outdoor malls, retirement communities
- public WiFi backhauls
- private cellular network wireless backhauls
- back-up to fiber connections – emergency communications, disaster recovery, business continuity
Connect now!
Enterprises of all shapes and sizes have a ready-made solution to get high-capacity, reliable, and secure network connectivity right now. Lightly licensed, point-to-point microwave connections in the E-band can be deployed today, providing fiber-like performance at a fraction of the cost of deploying/leasing a fiber connection.
Proven in a wide range of use cases and enterprise locations, Ericsson has been at the forefront of the E-band microwave technology and products for the last ten years.
Give us a call, and let’s talk about how we might bring high-performance network connectivity to your enterprise location.
More reading about E-band from Ericsson
Ericsson Microwave Outlook November 2019 - Lessons learned from a decade with E-band