Proxim unveils new wireless kit for 4G networks

New wireless kit offers 300Mbit/s capacity

Proxim Wireless has introduced new high-performance communications kit designed to help carriers prepare for the roll-out of next-generation 4G networks.

Available immediately, the Tsunami QB-8100 point-to-point and MP-8100 point-to-multipoint products are designed for wireless backhaul rather than cell base station equipment connecting customer handsets.

The new kit is "WiMax-like", the company said, but uses proprietary Proxim multiple input, multiple output technology to deliver increased performance without sacrificing range.

"For this product we're looking at a six times increase in capacity over what is available today, with low latency of no more than 2ms," said Proxim marketing director Robb Henshaw.

Both products offer data rates of 300Mbit/s over distances greater than 70km, according to Proxim, while new radios coming in the fourth quarter of 2009 will double this capacity to 600Mbit/s. The QB-8100 offers a single point-to-point connection with a counterpart unit, while the MP-8100 shares the available bandwidth in a multi-drop situation.

The Tsunami products currently operate in the 2.3GHz to 2.5GHz and 4.9GHz to 6.08GHz bands, with 3.3GHz to 3.7GHz and 4.4GHz support coming later.

Proxim suggested that the two chief applications for the technology in the UK would be upgrades of existing cell towers to support growing mobile data traffic and the expected demands of forthcoming 4G networks, plus extending broadband coverage to rural areas.

"We're opening the faucet for smaller service providers in these areas," said Henshaw.

The company already has several UK customers, including the Cybermoor project providing broadband access for residents of Alston in Cumbria, but Henshaw said that Proxim is in discussions with all the main mobile carriers regarding upgrades of existing infrastructure.

"It's more cost effective to increase capacity with products like this than leased lines or new fibre deployment. A lot of places are getting rid of leased lines because the capacity with wireless is now there," he said.

Pricing for the Proxim Tsunami QB-8100 starts at $6,599 (£4,040), while the Tsunami MP-8100 starts at $1,549 (£948).