Wireless Technologies

Metronet's wireless network operates in the 5GHz frequency range, which requires Ofcom registration of each new installation to avoid poor spectrum usage and interference. Being closely regulated and controlled ensures that the 5GHz frequency range is not susceptible to third party interference in the same way as the popular 2.4 GHz frequency range as employed by 802.11g/802.11b WLAN communications systems.

For higher speed connectivity Metronet often uses Gigabit radio solutions operating in the 80Ghz frequency range: indeed Metronet has deployed more Gigabit solutions of this type than any other company in the UK.

Proprietary frequency hopping point-to-point solutions ensure that Metronet private circuits are never compromised by third party radio interference.

Adverse weather conditions have no impact on the Metronet Network wireless private circuits.

All Metronet systems run at the full radio rate, and the Company only installs equipment capable of operating at a speed that represents 200% of the requirement, with data rates capped on the termination equipment: not the radio.

Metronet's wireless private circuits are more reliable than private circuits delivered across multiple legacy networks, using hardware from multiple vendors, and which in turn is dependent upon a 70 year old copper wire infrastructure.

Much hype currently surrounds WiMAX (World-wide Interoperability for Microwave Access) which is based upon the IEEE 802.16 (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) standards for wireless metropolitan area networks and uses in spectrum between 2GHz and 11GHz.

Assuming exclusive use of the spectrum in which it is operating, WiMAX cannot accommodate third party interference.

Inherent to WiMAX is the commercial need to over-subscribe the network, which is dictated by the high cost of base station equipment coupled with Operators' intention to deliver services at near ADSL prices.

WiMAX should be pitched against ADSL but does not bear comparison with Metronet services as services are delivered on a contended basis and, as been seen with commercial implementation are not necessarily fully symmetrical. As such, and unlike Metronet circuits, WiMAX services are not suited to environments of general heavy usage and where Users require high bandwidth to be dependably available from time to time.

For more information please read our white paper.