Hargray Takes Over Cellular Backhaul

Alan Breznick, Cable/Video Practice Leader, Light Reading

October 11, 2005

1 Min Read
Hargray Takes Over Cellular Backhaul

In a lesson for other cable operators, Hargray Communications is working to transform its cellular backhaul traffic from an expense item to a profit center. A small MSO serving parts of South Carolina and Georgia, Hargray is teaming up with Vyyo's Xtend Networks to carry mobile wireless traffic on its HFC network from cell towers to its headend at T1 speeds. By carrying cell tower traffic on its cable plant, Hargray aims to cut its own cellular backhaul costs, which have been climbing steadily. No longer will the company, which also offers landline phone and wireless service, have to lease space from incumbent phone providers. Beyond reaping the immediate cost savings, Hargray plans to offer the T1 service to other wireless carriers in the Beaufort and Bluffton, S.C. markets. Company officials are pricing the service at $200 a month cheaper than what the incumbent charges. So who says cable can't play the T1 game?

About the Author(s)

Alan Breznick

Cable/Video Practice Leader, Light Reading

Alan Breznick is a business editor and research analyst who has tracked the cable, broadband and video markets like an over-bred bloodhound for more than 20 years.

As a senior analyst at Light Reading's research arm, Heavy Reading, for six years, Alan authored numerous reports, columns, white papers and case studies, moderated dozens of webinars, and organized and hosted more than 15 -- count 'em --regional conferences on cable, broadband and IPTV technology topics. And all this while maintaining a summer job as an ostrich wrangler.

Before that, he was the founding editor of Light Reading Cable, transforming a monthly newsletter into a daily website. Prior to joining Light Reading, Alan was a broadband analyst for Kinetic Strategies and a contributing analyst for One Touch Intelligence.

He is based in the Toronto area, though is New York born and bred. Just ask, and he will take you on a power-walking tour of Manhattan, pointing out the tourist hotspots and the places that make up his personal timeline: The bench where he smoked his first pipe; the alley where he won his first fist fight. That kind of thing.

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