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Wisconsin Network
Operator Chooses Exalt to Improve Reliability for Rural GSM Cellular,
Broadband and Fiber Optic Connectivity
Marketwire
February 16, 2010
Hilbert Communications Adds Backhaul Capacity and Eliminates Recurring
Leased Line Costs With Exalt Microwave Backhaul Systems
CAMPBELL, CA - Exalt Communications, the company that is reinventing
microwave backhaul, today announced that Green Bay, Wisconsin-based
Hilbert Communications, LLC has deployed its microwave backhaul systems
to massively scale backhaul capacity while simultaneously eliminating
costly leased lines in its GSM and WiMAX service networks throughout
Wisconsin and Michigan. Hilbert has already deployed a large number of
Exalt systems and expects to roll out more as it phases out T1-based
backhaul in its wireless network and scales its broadband service
offering. |
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Hilbert's wireless network includes more
than 200 cell sites, over half of which were connected initially with
leased T1 lines. In the past year, Hilbert has also begun to roll out
BugNet, a new WiMAX network that is bringing broadband wireless Internet
services to rural customers for the first time. The challenges have been
to scale backhaul capacity at cell sites, to improve backhaul
reliability and to reduce operating costs. Hilbert has found Exalt
microwave backhaul systems to be the ideal solution for these
challenges.
"Our T1 connections were the least reliable part of our network, and we
wanted to improve reliability while increasing our backhaul bandwidth,"
said Kevin Kluge, director of network design at Hilbert Communications.
"Microwave is a great backhaul solution for us, but we haven't been
happy with systems from other vendors. Exalt's products give us the
performance and reliability we need."
The Exalt systems deployed by Hilbert Communications can deliver up to
200 megabits per second (Mbps) of Ethernet along with up to four native
TDM T1 lines with "five nines" link and throughput availability. As
configured for the Hilbert networks, these systems carry four T1s of GSM
voice traffic and from 10 to 50 Mbps of Ethernet over distances of up to
20 miles. These Exalt systems, configured for the 5 GHz frequency band,
can be deployed within a day, enabling Hilbert to rapidly upgrade its
backhaul capacity and connect into its core fiber optic network. These
systems are replacing leased T1 lines, saving the company an estimated
$700-$1,500 per line per month. Hilbert has also deployed Exalt systems
configured for the 11 GHz frequency band and is currently planning to
deploy many more as it builds out the backbone for its new broadband
network in Central Wisconsin.
"Mobile operators deploying 4G services like WiMAX recognize that they
need a steadily increasing amount of backhaul capacity, and there is no
faster or more reliable way to get it than our microwave backhaul
systems," said Amir Zoufonoun, president and CEO of Exalt
Communications. "Hilbert and other mobile operators are discovering that
Exalt systems not only give them 'five-nines' reliability and much
greater capacity, but also result in enormous operational cost savings
by eliminating the need to lease lines."
All Exalt radio systems offer guaranteed link availability, guaranteed
throughput and low, constant latency. Systems are available in
frequencies from 2 to 40 GHz and in capacities from 10 Mbps to more than
700 Mbps per channel, providing a range of options to fit countless
network applications. Designed to enable a smooth transition to IP, they
offer native support for both TDM and Ethernet, and are fully software
configurable and upgradeable. For easy and secure management using
third-party network management systems, Exalt systems support SNMP v1,
v2c and v3. Data security is provided by available FIPS 197-compliant
AES 128-bit and 256-bit encryption that adds zero latency to the
transmission. To simplify installation and maintenance, all Exalt
systems feature an embedded manual and most include a built-in spectrum
analyzer.
About Hilbert Communications, LLC
Hilbert Communications, LLC owns, manages and operates wireless and
wireline networks in the Upper Midwest. Hilbert currently owns nearly
200 sites and manages and provides switching services for additional
sites for small, rural operators and spectrum owners. Hilbert and its
management customers have access to over 5 million POPs of wireless
spectrum in seven states. Hilbert also owns and operates a 1,100 mile
fiber optic network throughout the Midwest that is used primarily for
wireless backhaul, direct Internet connectivity and large enterprise
communications.
About Exalt Communications
Exalt Communications provides next generation microwave backhaul systems
to service providers, government organizations and enterprises
worldwide. Exalt products are designed to solve the network bottlenecks
associated with the growing demand for IP-based voice, data and video
applications and the resulting migration from TDM to IP-based networks.
With a flexible architecture and universal product platform covering
multiple market segments, Exalt provides a full range of carrier-class
microwave radio systems that meet the demand for cost-effective and
flexible alternatives to fiber and leased lines. |
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