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Wireless: Reaching the parts that cable doesn’t

With all the homework and planning that goes into the provision of surveillance projects – what camera, where it should be placed – the network technology chosen for the project often goes unnoticed, and yet it remains a vital part of its success.

One of these critical technologies is wireless. Built for backhaul and ideal for carriers and/or carriers-of-carriers, Nick Ehrke, sales director of Radwin, explains that wireless point-to-point and point-to-multipoint solutions are able to meet the needs of service providers that require high capacity transport.

“The latest generation high-capacity point-to-multipoint solutions for example, are able to deliver up to 250 Mbps per sector. This makes them the ideal choice for last mile enterprise connectivity, high-end applications that require guaranteed bandwidth per subscriber, and mobile connectivity for vehicles in motion. Wi-Fi, 3G or LTE are only able to offer a contended service, and are therefore not ideal for carrying CCTV or mission-critical data.”

Ehrke noted that wireless is now catching the attention of both the local and international community in terms of enabling basic as well as more complex applications, “Because this technology in itself is very secure, and quick and easy to deploy, it’s ideally suited to security applications where robust, continuous transmission is required. One doesn’t need to dig up roads to lay copper or fibre or obtain municipal permission to establish a wireless network for example. It’s also able to overcome some of the challenges seen when using other technologies such as 3G or broadband, providing inherent support for high-speed IP (Internet protocol). This makes it able to support the new generation IP-based high quality security cameras on the market. We’re seeing many security companies increasing their own private networks using wireless as a result.”

Wireless offers extended network reach rapidly and affordably, being robust, long-range and more impervious to challenging topographies. “Radwin provides a complete portfolio of sub-6 GHz point-to-point and point-to-multiPoint solutions,” Ehrke says, adding that they operate in both licence-exempt and licensed frequencies and use different capacities and operational ranges. “Our systems are purpose-built and designed to meet the needs of cellular carriers, service providers, private networks and public safety agencies globally.”

Radwin’s wireless solutions are designed to address the needs of both the carrier and ISP market, as well as have tremendous application for safe cities projects, safety and security (CCTV) and even mobility applications, such as high-speed track to train connectivity, ferry or boat connectivity, or connectivity to vehicles on mines. Radwin’s solutions are deployed in mission-critical environments where a loss of data or signal could mean loss of reputation, revenue or worse, loss of life.

With wireless technologies having proved themselves in the market, Ehrke maintains that resellers are now able to expand their offering to new industries and verticals, including the security sector, among others. “Advanced radio planning and technology means that wireless solutions can provide the quality image transmission required for the demanding video applications used in security surveillance.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that often a temporary link becomes a permanent solution due to the ease of deployment, reliability and performance of our systems. We are working with the leading operators in Africa to formulate real strategies for the expansion of their networks and to bring broadband services to their customers who are demanding more and more services,” says Ehrke.

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