There are many ways to deliver Broadband Internet to customers. The physical network may be wired, wireless, or a combination of both. The network is Internet, meaning that all applications are merely data and all data merely packets. By adding intelligence to the network, it can prioritize certain packets and manage the performance of applications. The network changes and grows over time and requires maintenance. In addition, networks must consider the user and what support he may need.

Many factors come together in building and deploying a Broadband Internet network. Stratum Broadband can help you make it happen.

1. Speed it not just a question of how many packets can move per second (bit rate) but also of latency - the amount of time between the request for a packet and its reception. For realtime applications like VoIP, latency is often more important than bit rate.
2. While full motion video is not the only application for Broadband Internet, it is chosen because it requires high speeds and has strong practical and entertainment applications.

The other advantage in separating applications from networks is that it allows applications to come from someone other than the network provider in a way transparent to the user. Using the telephone network example again - to use dial-up Internet access you must first call the number for the ISP and then log on to the ISP. If in the middle of the session you want to make a phone call, you must break the connection to the ISP to make the phone call. You can only re-establish the ISP connection after the phone call is concluded. In a packet-based network, the phone application and the ISP application happily coexist simultaneously. What is more, the ISP application could remain perpetually connected since no data being sent to or from the user so there is no drain on network resources. In a telephone network, a connection means a circuit is in use and unavailable for any other purpose.

Packet-based networks open the door for Open Networks. An Open Network is one in which the network provider is not the only application provider (and perhaps not an application provider at all). The Open Network operator merely charges for connectivity to the network. While this puts a limit on profitability, it also puts a limit on responsibility. It is an excellent model for those who do not want to compete directly with application providers or are primarily interested with ensuring their constituents have access to the widest array of options. The challenge of running an open network is providing consistent and acceptable levels of quality of service across multiple applications. This can be handled by adding intelligence to the network to allow packet prioritization so applications with different needs can efficiently share the same network.

Stratum Broadband is experienced in building and implementing this type of network and can show you the way to make it happen.

]]> Technologies http://www.stratumbroadband.com/index.php?itemid=14 Sun, 7 May 2006 15:39:00 -0400 http://www.stratumbroadband.com/index.php?itemid=15 Mesh Topology A traditional wireless network consists of terminals and base-stations. Terminals and base-stations talk to each other, but terminals can't talk to terminals and base-stations can't talk to base-stations. In a Mesh topology, everything can potentially talk to everything. In addition, devices can serve as relays for other devices. If a terminal can't see a base-station but can see another terminal, and that terminal can see the base-station, everything is good to go. This means that non-line of site can be achieved even at higher frequencies that cannot typically support such operations. Another major benefit of Mesh is the ability to aggregate backhaul. Every wireless access point needs to connect back to the wired network. Traditionally, this meant a wired connection for each base-station. With Mesh, several base-stations can connect wirelessly to a single base-station and share a high-capacity wired connection. Again, thanks to the relay ability, not every base-station even needs direct line of site to the wired base-station to share the backhaul.

In summary, wireless Mesh can use low cost equipment, which, in isolation, has limited functionality, but together becomes part of a network where the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts. An example is the WiFi-based Mesh networks being deployed around the world as municipal broadband solutions. The key question as to whether Mesh is the right solution for a given application is whether the longterm maintenance issues of a high equipment count outweigh the benefits of very low cost equipment and reduced backhaul complexity.

Stratum Broadband can answer that question and provide a custom-tailored solution regardless of the answer.

]]> Technologies http://www.stratumbroadband.com/index.php?itemid=15 Fri, 7 Apr 2006 15:49:00 -0400 http://www.stratumbroadband.com/index.php?itemid=16 Radio Tower WiMax is a buzzword right now. It is a standards-based approach that is applicable to a far larger range of circumstances than 3G¹, yet can deliver the same or better functionality. When WiFi Mesh is not applicable, WiMax is most likely the best solution.Of course, stating that WiMax is the solution is only half solving the problem. WiMax means different things to different people. First, there is the current WiMax standard, which is does not support mobility. Second, there is the forthcoming standard which does support mobility. Finally, many technologies are similar to WiMax, but do not actually comply with the standard.

Deciding which of these is right for a given application and, more importantly, deciding which will support future needs is no small task. Stratum Broadband has the expertise to advise you, not only from knowledge of the emerging WiMax standard, but also from a broad experience with alternative technologies.

1. 3G or third generation mobile telephone generally refers to technology compliant with the IMT2000 standard. Popular examples of such technology are CDMA2000 EVDO and UMTS.