Wireless
The case for WiMAX backup
In most business cases a wired circuit such as fibre Ethernet is the gold standard in Internet connectivity, providing high-speed, cost-effective and reliable access. There are, however, circumstances where a high-speed wireless connection makes more sense, either as a backup alternative for ultimate resilience, or as a stand-alone solution.
The classic backup scenario avoids the infamous ‘spade through the cable’ event in which an organization loses all Internet connectivity thanks to an accident during nearby building works or road excavations. This can result in hours or, in some cases, days of downtime, a catastrophic problem for businesses operating mission-critical applications and infrastructure. In a situation akin to the use of a backup power supply, the combination of a primary, fibre-based connection with a fallback wireless link ensures an organization enjoys maximum ‘always-on’ operational resilience.
Wireless connectivity is also used in situations where a rapid implementation is paramount. Standard, fibre-based broadband solutions can take weeks, or even months, to be delivered due to cabling difficulties and supplier backlogs. Wireless solutions can usually be installed in a matter of days.
Business cases in which wireless makes sense in these temporary circumstances include short-term networking access for a one-off conference or pop-up retail, and emergency situations that require a rapid response such as a sudden building move.
How it works: WiMAX Internet backup
activereach’s wireless Internet backup solution is based on WiMAX®, a family of high-speed, ‘last-mile’, communications standards, overseen by the IEEE®. Sometimes called “WiFi on steroids”, it provides up to 1Gbps of symmetrical wireless broadband over distances measured in kilometres by using sub-6GHz frequencies of the microwave spectrum.
An antenna, usually placed on a customer’s office roof, connects wirelessly to our network of local transmitting WiMAX base stations. Using rooftop equipment in this way means that new systems can be installed quickly, without the need for complex cabling and delays.
In the WiMAX backup scenario, primary traffic is sent via the fibre link unless there is a problem, in which case the automatic fail-over to the WiMAX alternative is undertaken in less than a minute.
Features: WiMAX Internet backup
activereach’s WiMAX Internet backup solution offers the following headline features:
- Up to 1Gbps of symmetrical, wireless broadband Internet connectivity.
- Wireless technology based on the WiMAX international standard (IEEE 802.16).
- Independent infrastructure based on leading-edge microwave technology.
- Up to a guaranteed 100% uptime when combined with an activereach fibre solution.
- Highly secure operation, based on Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and proprietary frequency hopping algorithms.
- Rapid installation, from as little as half-a-day, depending on landlord approvals.
- Available as a primary or as a resilient secondary connection.
- Full technical consultation on optimum mix of fibre and wireless technologies.
- Fully managed service with detailed analytical reports, application prioritisation, and connection control.
- Scalable bandwidth provision with rapid tuning.
WiMAX is a registered trademark of the WiMAX Forum in the United States and/or other countries.
IEEE is a registered trademark of the the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
Please see our Wireless page for further information on our wireless services.
