Telecom networking giant Ericsson is buying BelAir Networks, adding its outdoor WiFi technology to Ericsson’s portfolio, reports Kevin Fitchard of GigaOM.
BelAir gear is used extensively by AT&T (in NYC, Chicago and San Francisco), Cablevision (with a large-scale deployment in the NY area), and Time Warner Cable (with a large-scale deployment in the Los Angeles area). Bright House Networks turned on a 2,000 hotspot network across Florida.
Belair’s outdoor metropolitan picocells, including the BelAir100SP Strand Picocell, which can be mounted outdoors on cable coax. The BelAir100SP combines both 3G and dual 802.11n radios with a built-in a DOCSIS 3.0 Modem, plant power supply, and power protection/splitter.
BelAir and Ericsson declined to discuss the deal, says Fitchard.
“Ericsson does not comment on rumors or speculation,” Ericsson spokesman Jimmy Duvall said via email.
With cable operators and Verizon now merging their interests, Belair’s (Ericsson’s) strand-mounted hotspots seem likely to add Verizon 3G and LTE to strand-mounted gear.
Carriers typically offer free WiFi access – if you’re a subscriber. All others pay.
Carriers are embracing Wi-Fi and major mobile network equipment providers such as Alcatel-Lucent, Motorola and Ericsson are endorsing access agnostic (licensed/unlicensed) small cell networks.
LTE-Advanced also includes features to enable faster and easier implementation of het-nets.
A wireless heterogeneous network is able to maintain service when switching between a cellular network and WiFi.
Competitors include Ruckus Wireless and Israel’s Wavion, which is re-introducing their beamforming gear. Each has landed big deals in Europe and Asia. Ruckus and KDDI have teamed on a 100,000-hotspot network in Japan. Ruckus has announced a large number of installations around the world.
Alvarion recently bought Wavion. Wavion Base Stations feature 802.11n in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz unlicensed bands as well as 700 MHz licensed bands.
Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent have become the early LTE leaders as a result of modernization contracts with Verizon and AT&T, according to In-Stat analyst Chris Kissel. The top LTE Vendors have their eye on het-nets.
Ten, $2,500 strand-mounted LTE picocells (with free WiFi for subs) will beat one $250,000 cell tower anyway you cut it.
See Dailywireless: Verizon-Cable Deal: Too Cozy?, Cross Marketing of Verizon & Cable Begins, Verizon Buying Nationwide AWS Spectrum from Cable, Comcast Adds Wireless Tower Business, BelAir: We’re MIMO, Too! , Wavion: 3X3 MIMO for Muni Wi-Fi, Carrier-run Public WiFi Nets Expand, Towerstream Launches Wholesale MuniFi, AT&T Moves to Hotzones and Picocells, AT&T Hotzone in Wrigleyville, Free AT&T Wi-Fi for Charlotte and NYC Gets Another Free WiFi Proposal
