Mobile service providers and large enterprises are rushing to extend broadband capabilities to hard to reach places for a myriad of reasons. Plus, they are looking to do so cost effectively and securely. The challenge has been that existing solutions have been expensive, difficult to integrate and manage and were not purpose-built with security as a priority.
Given the growing urgency in many important verticals to extend the reach of broadband, the search for next generation solutions that can bend the cost curve and assure safe operations—a major concern in the exploding machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) markets—has been intense.
There is some noteworthy news on this front, with the announcement by Boulder, CO-based FreeWave Technologies of WavePoint™, a versatile high speed wireless networking platform that securely communicates industrial data over long distances to enable M2M, broadband and SCADA applications.
A singular solution that serves multiple use cases
With over 20 years of experience providing RF-based remote connectivity solutions to such verticals as oil and gas producers, government and defense contractors, agriculture equipment manufacturers, and utility operators, FreeWave understands the unique needs of customers where satellite-based and wireline solutions (where available) are cost-prohibitive and fiber may never reach.
WavePoint has been built to meet the needs of those markets and for any entity that requires longer distance broadband.
As the chart highlights, WavePoint packs a lot of functionality into a single solution.
Source: FreeWave Technologies
Optimized for use in the 5GHz, 2.4GHz and 900MHz unlicensed spectrum bands leveraging OFDM technology, makes its ROI compelling just for replacing expensive fixed line T-1 and DS3 services. There is also optional support for U-NII bands and as indicated there are options for 3G and Wi-Fi operations.
WavePoint also includes a high-performance router for handling critical routing and connectivity functions at the edge of the network. Other benefits include support any network infrastructure, enablement of remote video access, and the ability to have multiple Ethernet and serial devices on the network simultaneously.
The graphic also details why WavePoint is not just for longer-distance backhaul but also can be a critical element in deployment of Wi-Fi and a variety of mesh network configurations.
The protocols and services supported are extensive.
Source: FreeWave Technologies
“The WavePoint product portfolio is purpose built for the growing data needs of our customers and provides an economical, easy-to-deploy, fast, secure and flexible platform that addresses a wide range of applications with a quick ROI,” explained Ashish Sharma, CMO of FreeWave Technologies. “With the ability to combine multiple frequency bands, along with wireless IP routing and support for a wide variety of industrial SCADA protocols, management services, and flexible network design elements within one cohesive solution, WavePoint is able to meet the broad range of networking and communications needs of today’s expanding enterprise.”
In discussing the introduction of WavePoint with Jeff Dixon, Director, OEM and Utility Sales at FreeWave, he noted that, “The line between cellular, backhaul and routing are getting blurred, and there are significant differences between advertised over-the-air data rates versus TTP payload throughputs. WavePoint is designed to actually accommodate the need for integration and do it with an increase in actual throughput and the security the M2M market is going to require, particularly in use cases where critical infrastructure monitoring and management is involved.
He added that, “The ROI for just enabling the connectivity of data-intensive applications over long distances is compelling, but the empowering of people and processes by giving them high-performance and secure access to back office systems and the ability to streamline the integration of new equipment into existing infrastructures is also significant for reducing costs and improving productivity.”
“The underlying force behind M2M and our increasingly connected world is the communications technologies that bring it all together,” explained Sam Lucero, senior principal analyst at IHS. “Mobility, productivity and connecting geographically distributed resources provides a strong case for wireless as a strategic business tool for the future.”
There is no denying that whether it is for providing broadband in remote locations for data-intensive activities like energy exploration or agriculture, giving rural areas inexpensive access, extending enterprise broadband footprints on their campus, wireless broadband is becoming in many instances the preferred solution. As importantly, enabling this extension to be used as the foundation for M2M connectivity that is secure is a critical piece of the puzzle that can help drive the market as well as provider customers peace of mind.
Edited by
Cassandra Tucker
