NEC today announced the launch of ePASOLINK, a new compact wireless transmission system said to provide ultra-high link throughputs of up to 2.5 Gbps in the E-band spectrum range of 70/80 GHz. ePASOLINK is claimed to enable mobile network operators to build a cost-effective, IP-based mobile backhaul network that meets the high-capacity data demands of mobile broadband technologies such as HSPA, WiMAX and LTE.
The deployment of 4G mobile broadband networks will result in an ever rising capacity demand for backhaul. Tail links to cell sites are predicted to expand to several hundred Mbps in capacity, and network operators will increasingly use ring topologies with transmission throughputs exceeding 1Gbps in the aggregation portion of the backhaul.
Traditionally these capacity needs have been met with microwave and optical product solutions, says NEC. By utilizing millimeter wave frequencies, ePASOLINK addresses the market gap where sub-42GHz microwave spectrum becomes congested and the fiber optic alternative is too expensive to deploy efficiently. This is particularly the case in dense urban and suburban areas where operators often face intense competition in the expansion of 4G mobile broadband infrastructure, says NEC.
ePASOLINK provides scalable transport of 2G, 3G, HSPA, WiMAX and LTE, in addition to its support for both Ethernet and SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy)/SONET (Synchronous Optical Networking) protocols with carrier-grade reliability. Advanced Quality-of-Service capabilities ensure that operators can provide customers with SLA (Service Level Agreement) assurance and premium content delivery.
“NEC continues its close relationship with leading operators across the world and we are confident that ePASOLINK will be a key component of their strategic portfolio for the evolution of mobile backhaul,” said Hiroyasu Ishii, General Manager of the Global Network Division at NEC. “NEC continues to innovate and build on its history of quality and exceptional services that ensure our market leadership in mobile backhaul.”
ePASOLINK from NEC helps mobile operators to build and operate their backhaul networks with a low cost of ownership. ePASOLINK is supported by NEC’s widely adopted Network Management Systems, which facilitate easy integration with existing microwave infrastructure, such as PASOLINK, the microwave transport system market leader. ePASOLINK is an all-outdoor solution which is said to help lower installation and site rental costs in an all-IP backhaul network.