Orthogon Unwires TowerStream

NEW YORK -- Orthogon Systems™, an innovative developer of non-line-of-sight wireless systems, and TowerStream®, the Northeast’s leading broadband wireless service provider, today announced the successful deployment of broadband wireless technology in New York City across a massively obstructed path. The secure high speed connection was made for a corporate customer between its midtown office at 40 West 57th Street and TowerStream’s Point-of-Presence (POP) on 6th Street in downtown Manhattan, more than a three mile link. The wireless link connects over and around multiple buildings including the Empire State Building and the GE Building, two of New York’s highest skyscrapers.

The non-line-of sight connection was made using Orthogon Systems’ OS-Gemini wireless Ethernet bridge integrated into TowerStream’s carrier-grade wireless network. “One of the biggest challenges for broadband wireless in the New York City market is the non-line-of-sight issue, so we have been working hard to find a solution. This incredibly demanding deployment shows that Orthogon’s OS-Gemini combined with TowerStream’s wireless network bring new, reliable broadband options to business customers in this market,” said Philip Urso, founder and CEO of TowerStream. “We are thrilled to be able to provide new cost-effective and flexible solutions, like this deployment, to our customers.”

Andy Fuertes, senior analyst at Visant Strategies, a New York City-based research firm specializing in emerging broadband wireless technology comments, “We have been following the non-line-of-sight broadband market closely, watching for evidence of real customer deployments in challenging point-to-point environments. The carrier-class TowerStream link using Orthogon’s OS-Gemini indicates not only that non-line-of-sight technology is ready for prime time, but that a new market opportunity has emerged.”

Large, multiple buildings obstructing line-of-sight between the two end points were preventing a successful broadband connection prior to this installation. Orthogon’s OS-Gemini point-to-point broadband wireless system enabled the non-line-of-sight connection using its Multi-Beam Space-Time-Coding (STC) technology that transmits multiple signals around obstacles to reconnect at the receiving end. The customer also required high security which was provided through the combination of Orthogon’s proprietary scrambling technology and TowerStream’s ability to provided end-to-end Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

“The OS-Gemini was built to deliver a reliable broadband connection in this type of environment, a fully obstructed path,” said Phil Bolt, president and CEO of Orthogon Systems. “It was designed with emphasis on correcting the severe signal fading associated with overcoming obstacles while maintaining carrier-class availability. We are pleased to be working with TowerStream to bring new services to its customers.”

Orthogon Systems