GigaBeam launches 70/80 GHz in New York

GigaBeam this week announced its first deployment of 70/80 GHz point-to-point fixed-wireless gear in the U.S. on Trump Tower in New York. The deployment for Microwave Satellite Technologies connects Trump Tower and the residential Trump Place with a 1.35 GHz link and is the first of 20 such high-capacity link MST plans for New York.

In 2003, the FCC allotted the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz radio frequency bands for commercial use, taking the spectrum out of the hands of government hands. Since then GigaBeam has been developing Gigabit Ethernet products for the spectrum and next year plans to launch a 10 Gigabit Ethernet product.

At such high frequencies, the 70 GHz and 80 GHz bands can provide enormous data throughput, but the spectrum limits deployments to direct line-of-sight point-to-point connections. MST plans to use the initial WiFiber link to provide voice, data and high-definition TV programming to the residents of the 49-story Trump Place. GigaBeam hopes to make its case for the technology to replace terrestrial fiber deployments in major markets.

"I believe our WiFiber will have disruptive impact on telecommunications by enabling ubiquitous ultra high-speed connectivity, which is more economical than terrestrial fiber," GigaBeam CEO and chairman Lou Slaughter said in a statement.