SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 14, 2011) - LightPointe, a leading manufacturer of wireless point-to-point Gigabit Ethernet bridges utilizing millimeter wave RF and Free Space Optics technologies, announced the availability of new 70/80 GHz 4G/LTE backhaul solutions. The first products in the new AireBeam™ Series are the G80-LX long range and G80-MX medium range bridges. To ensure worldwide wireless backhaul compatibility, LightPointe used an independent FCC accredited and European Regulator approved Notified Body to certify compliance with latest North American Part 101 and European EN 302 217 regulations.
The radios are optimized for deployment by telecom carriers, businesses and government agencies to transmit data at speeds up to 1250 Mbps between buildings or cellular towers at distances up to 7 miles or more, depending on location. Such Gigabit Ethernet bridges are installed quickly and cost effectively without the trenching required for alternative fiber optic cables. Due to the proliferation of devices such as iPhone, iPad, Android smart phones and other devices, demand for mobile data traffic is expected to grow 10-fold by 2016.
"The AireBeam Series represents a significant milestone for our millimeter wave business unit," said Heinz Willebrand, president and CEO for LightPointe. "Working closely with carrier and enterprise customers around the world, we started with a clean slate in designing these solutions with the performance necessary to support 4G-LTE infrastructure. The AireBeam Series provides next generation features for the 70/80 GHz market, including high gain antennas, industry leading low power consumption at under 20 Watts, lightweight all-outdoor enclosures and low latency. In addition to releasing our AireBeam radios, I'm excited to announce that manufacturing of our 80 GHz radios and FSO products is moving to our new facility in San Diego with larger capacity and state of the art production equipment. The facility is the latest in a series of growth initiatives to take the company to the next level, while providing customers with innovative products, faster delivery and enhanced support."
LightPointe's AireBeam Series is optimized for high bandwidth carrier networks such as those deploying LTE. LTE is the go-to architecture for operators such as Verizon, AT&T, China Mobile, Vodafone, Telefónica and Deutsche Telekom, as well as vendors such as Qualcomm and LightPointe.
"We forecast at least 60 commercial LTE deployments for 2011 and over 164 next year, which should bode well for millimeter wave and Picocell manufacturers such as LightPointe," said Adlane Fellah, CEO and Founder of Maravedis Research, a leading global provider of market intelligence and advisory services. "Today's backhaul solutions must be cost effective, require quick and simple site deployment, comply with SLAs and technical requirements, and be capable of continuous service availability."
LightPointe, founded in 1998, is a pioneer in wireless systems. Its first products were Free Space Optics solutions. In 2006 LightPointe attracted attention of prominent Silicon Valley investment firm Berg and Berg Enterprises, LLC, and soon added e-band millimeter wave radios. Berg and Berg, whose interests include over 100 investments in technology and other companies, has assisted the company with growth initiatives, such as the AireBeam Series and its new production facility.
"LightPointe is one of the rising stars in our portfolio of companies and I'm deeply proud of the growth and accomplishments the company has achieved," said Carl Berg, principal at Berg and Berg. "I'm particularly excited about the new AireBeam Series, and the demand we are seeing for 4G/LTE network infrastructure. LightPointe is unique in that it offers customers a choice of radio frequency, hybrid optical-radio and free space optics technologies and can mix and match products for optimum network performance and ROI."
For installation flexibility, the AireBeam Series provides customers a choice of RJ45 copper, MM, or SM fiber connectors, and can be powered via PoE. LightPointe has ensured maximum security and compatibility with 4G architectures by enabling use of carrier-grade SNMPv.2, an add/drop networking port or LightPointe's DualPath™ 1+1 hot standby. Alarm reporting is available via SNMP traps, RMON counters, TELNET and separate RS232 terminal connection. To make the bridges easy to align and monitor, LightPointe has included an industry exclusive multi-function display on the rear panels with an RSSI receive signal bar graph LEDs, network status indicator and various status LEDs.
LightPointe is expanding its distributor and reseller network in certain regions, and encourages companies to inquire about channel opportunities with its 70/80 GHz backhaul solutions, Hybrid Optical-Radio bridges and FSO products.
About LightPointe
LightPointe manufactures wireless solutions for Enterprise and Carrier applications. LightPointe™, DualPath™ and AireBeam™ are trademarks of LightPointe. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Contact Information:
Todd Easterling
Easterling & Associates
