I apologize if the following is old news:
11/30/98 Global Telephony (Pg. Unavail. Online)
1998 WL 10350942
Global Telephony
Copyright 1998 by PRIMEDIA Intertec, a PRIMEDIA Company. All rights reserved.
Monday, November 30, 1998
Leveraging infrastructure with LMDS
Russell Shaw
Korea Telecom, South Korea's national telecommunications carrier, has
selected Newbridge Networks' integrated broadband wireless communication
solution for its first local multipoint distribution system (LMDS)
project.
The service provider is deploying the system to provide a
cost-effective, high-capacity "last mile" access solution that can
leverage its already existing fiber optic infrastructure to deliver
simultaneous high-speed services.
Newbridge describes this deployment as a multiservice network that
includes both base station and customer premises equipment. The base
station consists of the Newbridge MainStreetXpress 36170 multiservices
switch and point-to-multipoint transmitters and receivers. The CPE
includes transceivers and network interface units, which provide
connectivity to inbuilding wiring for T-1, Ethernet and video
applications. Available spectrum is optimally used through dynamic
bandwidth allocation, which provides statistical gain in the network.
On the back-office and support end, Newbridge's MainStreetXpress 46020
network manager will handle Korea Telecom's network management
requirements. The system also provides billing, statistics and
maintenance support.
"With the advanced functionality of the Siemens/Newbridge
MainStreetXpress 36170 multiservices switch, which delivers asynchronous
transfer mode and integral wireless technologies as part of a broad
array of multiservice and multiaccess offerings, we can offer our
customers high-quality, state-of-the-art services at the best possible
prices," says Dr. Hanwook Jung, a top member of Korea Telecom's Wireless
Multimedia Team.
In deploying the network, Korea Telecom believes it will be the first
established telephony service provider worldwide to offer LMDS.
Although in North America, with the LMDS auctions, LMDS commitments
have been made mainly by new service providers, says Alain Brabeau,
director of product management for Newbridge's Wireless Networks
division, "in many other parts of the world, a lot of the incumbents are
looking at this technology as a means for them to extend their reach and
become more flexible."
Broadband wireless is another access means for carriers to deploy
their networks, he says. "Since wireless is part of the network and
services platform, this was a logical extension for Korea Telecom," he
maintains.
The system saw its first tests early in 1998 and should be ready for
intensive deployment beginning in the first quarter of 1999. "One of
first things [Korea Telecom] wanted to do was a lot of testing through
all four seasons," Brabeau says. The carrier wanted to assess rain and
propagation factors, as well as test service coverage, he says. Any LMDS
testing depends on what type of high-speed telephony services will be
offered and where, he notes.
LMDS was not the only option open to Korea Telecom. But Brabeau views
other access architectures, such as digital subscriber line (xDSL), as
potentially complementary in certain cases. "You could use LMDS to
provide wireless connectivity to a building, but use xDSL solutions
within the building."
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