Spike making ground on NLOS 

ATLANTA--Spike Broadband Systems and Signal Technology are teaming up to develop and deliver outdoor-mounted fixed broadband wireless customer premises equipment (CPE) that enables end users to transmit and receive data at broadband speeds without the need for an in-building broadband modem. A prototype of the unit is on display at Spike’s booth at this week’s Supercomm in Atlanta.

According to Cristian Parrino, Spike’s marketing vice president, the CPE contains a radio, antenna and modem components that can be mounted on the side of the dwelling. While it is not the non-line-of-sight (NoLOS) or near-line-of-sight (NLOS) technology that many in the fixed broadband wireless industry are clamoring to get, it fills an immediate need, Parrino said.

“Over time, what you’re looking for is ease of installation. Near-line-of-sight is definitely the next step after that,” he noted.

The industry’s first goal, Parrino suggested, should be to get the cost of an end-to-end fixed wireless deployment to $900 or less by integrating as many components as possible into the transceiver and “really limiting the cost for installation.”

Besides, he said, thanks to trees and other obstructions, many residential deployments “will require an outside unit,” he insisted.

The transceiver also features a unit-mounted LED that tells when the signal is strongest.

“Before, there had to be somebody with a laptop PC taking readings to make sure about signal strength,” Parrino said.

The CPE partnership with Signal marks a continuation of the relationship between the two companies that started when they joined to deliver CPE equipment for Spike’s $400 million deal with SONOFON, Denmark’s second largest mobile telecommunications carrier and a BellSouth International and Telenor company. SONOFON aims to provide fixed wireless broadband access to more than 95% of Denmark.
Jim Barthold is Senior Editor at Telephony. He can be reached at jim_barthold@intertec.com.