BelAir Backhauls Docsis 3.0BelAir Backhauls Docsis 3.0

WiFi equipment specialist BelAir Networks Inc. has added Docsis 3.0 backhaul to its cable-optimized, strand-mounted access point, a move that enables its MSO customers to support video, voice, and other bandwidth-intensive wireless multimedia applications.

That product, dubbed the BelAir100SN, also includes support for 802.11n, and follows an earlier cable-industry-targeted model with 802.11b/g and Docsis 2.0 provisioning and backhaul capabilities. BelAir vice president of product marketing Dave Park says the new Docsis 3.0-based unit sells for roughly the same price as the Docsis 2.0 model.



He says the higher throughputs and general overall performance of the 100SN will help MSOs stay ahead of a wireless data demand curve that's being driven not just by laptops, but also by WiFi-capable smartphones and more video-centric devices such as the Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPad. (See Comcast on the iPad: It's All Good and iPad's Buddy: Cablevision? ) "Wireless is the new battleground," says Park (perhaps subconsciously recalling Pat Benatar's finest hour).

In addition to offering four to six times the capacity of the earlier units, the new gear also comes equipped with dual 2.4GHz and 5GHz radios to ensure support for future devices equipped to handle the loftier spectrum.

BelAir has also integrated the unit with Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)-made multi-service edge routers, enabling support for up to 48,000 access points and a total of 480Gbit/s of traffic. With such scale at its fingertips, "an MSO... could put up more capacity than a nationwide cellular network," Park claims.

BelAir's latest entry is cable-optimized in that it takes its power directly from the cable plant and can be hooked into the MSO's Docsis broadband network and provisioning system. According to Park, a 100SN can be mounted to a strand and provisioned for service in about 15 minutes. And several operators are already testing that claim.

"All of our [MSO] customers are receiving this new product," Park says.

Park says BelAir counts nine of the top 10 U.S. MSOs as customers, but the company hasn't released the full list. Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC), however, is using BelAir (and Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO)) gear to support its big WiFi deployment