Spike Broadband Systems, Signal Technology Collaborate to Bring to Market Next-Generation CPE
BUSINESS WIRE - June 05, 2001 08:36
ATLANTA, Jun 5, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
SUPERCOMM 2001--
New, Integrated, Easily-Installable Units Will Provide Service Providers with a Greater Path to Profitability
Spike Broadband Systems, Inc., a leading provider of carrier-grade, fixed wireless broadband access solutions, and Signal Technology Corporation, a leading provider of electronic products for wireless communications and power management, today announced at SUPERCOMM 2001 a joint development partnership. According to the terms of the multi-year agreement, Spike and Signal will combine their expertise to deliver next-generation Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) units. These integrated, easy-to-install units will provide telecommunications service providers with an increasingly profitable business case by minimizing installation costs at the subscriber's location.
The CPE is critical to any fixed broadband wireless deployment as it includes the antenna, radio and modem for the end-user side of a wireless network. This unit enables the end-user to transmit and receive any form of data at broadband speeds, including voice services. The new CPE will be a small, one-piece unit mounted outdoors, containing fully-integrated radio/antenna/modem components, meeting the fixed wireless industry's need for easily installed CPE units to facilitate rapid fixed wireless network deployments.
According to Peter Jarich, director of broadband research for Strategis Group, "An integrated, cost-effective CPE is the key to accelerating the global adoption of fixed broadband wireless as a viable business case for carriers. What Spike and Signal are attempting to do together is create a de facto standard in CPE design, which will be a positive force in the industry as carriers evaluate large-scale fixed wireless deployments."
Earlier this month, Signal confirmed that it had partnered with Spike to provide the CPE equipment for Spike's deal with SONOFON, Denmark's second-largest mobile telecommunications carrier and a BellSouth International and Telenor company. This deal represents the largest fixed wireless deployment to date with SONOFON anticipating that it will be able to provide fixed wireless broadband access to more than 95 percent of Denmark.
According to Jim Zucco, chairman and CEO, Spike Broadband Systems, "Spike's technology is already recognized as a market-leading solution for fixed broadband wireless deployments as evidenced by our recent $400 million agreement with SONOFON. With this next-generation technology we will provide our customers and their customers greater utility, as well as ease of installation and operations. Given Spike's strong track record of customer driven innovation it was important for us to pick a partner that had the capability, the vision and reputation for flawless delivery. Signal Technology, a trusted partner, has already exceeded our expectations in each of these dimensions, and I am delighted that they are partnering with us on our next generation technology."
"Spike, through its agreement with SONOFON, has demonstrated to carriers that fixed wireless broadband technology is a compelling business case. We are proud to be working with them," said George Lombard, chairman and CEO, Signal Technology. "The success of Spike's current CPE unit has been an important part of proving that business case. As the integrated CPE ramps into rate production, we believe it will add significant revenue to Signal's wireless business. Our collaboration with Spike on this next-generation CPE will help accelerate our position in the market as a leader in state-of-the-art electronic components and subsystems for wireless communications."
For more details on CPE integration or Spike Broadband Systems, please visit Spike at SUPERCOMM 2001 at booth #6568.
About Signal Technology:
Signal Technology is a leader in developing state-of-the-art electronic components and systems for wireless telecommunications, defense and space applications. Through its Signal Wireless Group (SWG) operation, the Company is addressing the expanding global demand for data and Internet bandwidth by developing RF radio sub-systems for fixed, broadband wireless telecommunications applications worldwide. SWG also develops and manufactures switching/combining components and subsystems for PCS/cellular digital applications for sale to wireless base station infrastructure providers. In its defense businesses, Signal develops and manufactures RF, microwave, and power conversion products for communications networks, electronic countermeasures, missiles, radar, intelligence and guidance systems for sale to prime defense contractors worldwide. For further information about Signal, please visit Signal's Web site at sigtech.com.
About Spike Broadband Systems, Inc.:
Spike Broadband Systems supplies turnkey, carrier-grade, fixed broadband wireless access solutions to telecom service providers seeking to deploy high-speed, data, voice and multi-media services at a fraction of the cost and time needed to deploy traditional wireline infrastructures. Spike designs, deploys and supports its own complete, high-capacity systems for licensed frequencies under the 10GHz band. With systems operating worldwide, Spike understands the business economics that drive our customers' success and their on-going requirement to satisfy the bottom-line. Our Spike Continuum(TM) systems deliver unrivaled capacity and unparalleled scalability, empowering our customers to maximize the revenue potential from each unit of available spectrum. |
