Non-Line-of-Sight Challenges – Introducing Cambium Networks’ Best Non-Line-of-Sight Contest

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By Dava Baumann, Global Marketing Manager

Our partners and customers at Cambium Networks are located across the globe, and they deploy wireless broadband products in a wide variety of settings. Cambium’s PTP 500 and PTP 600 solutions have been installed in the densest of cities, across miles of deserts and over bodies of water, delivering high throughput reliable connectivity. In non-line-of-sight (NLoS) paths, where either visual line-of-sight or radio line-of-sight is blocked (or both), only the most robust of systems can make the connections required for reliable communications. To highlight the amazing deployments our customers have in place, we’re hosting a contest so you can showcase your best NLoS stories.

In NLoS environments, there are a number of challenges that put connectivity to the test; natural and man-made obstacles such as foliage, terrain and buildings present significant communications challenges. Because of that, the Cambium PTP 500 and PTP 600 series have been designed to offer five nines (99.999 percent) availability in the most demanding of NLoS environments and extreme weather conditions.

To deliver the high throughput, reliability, and spectral efficiency our customers expect, the PTP 500 and PTP 600 have been designed from the start for these challenging real-world environments. With PTP-optimized MIMO technology, intelligent OFDM, dynamic spectrum optimization, adaptive modulation, TDD synchronization, spatial diversity and best-in-class radio hardware design, our PTP 500 and PTP 600 radios provide high-speed, reliable connectivity – even in locations that were previously considered un-reachable.

Throughout the next few months, we’ll take you through some of the most extreme NLoS challenges we’ve seen at Cambium through a series of blog posts. We’ll provide insight into how Cambium’s unique solutions combat the most extreme conditions to deliver reliable wireless communications. We’ll take a look at how Cambium technologies overcome connectivity challenges in extreme weather conditions, over-water settings, in heavy metropolitan areas and areas with dense network configurations, in areas of rural connectivity and over long distances.

The NLOS contest focuses on customers and partners around the globe implementing the PTP 500 and PTP 600 to combat NLoS challenges.  Finalists will receive a chance to win prizes including a Cambium PTP 500, a PMP 450 or an iPad.  Here are a few quick details about the contest:

  • Topic: Giving Us Your Best NLOS Shot
  • Contest Dates: Submissions are open from Thursday, January 17 through June 30, 2013
  • Format: We want to hear your personal story on how reliable connectivity was deployed in a challenging NLoS environment (urban areas as well as rural). Entries can be submitted in two formats: a two-to-three minute video that showcases your NLoS solution, or through high-res images of the deployment accompanied by supporting details in either a PPT or Word file
  • Eligibility: The contest is open to any Cambium reseller or integrator partner, Connected Partner or network operator who has successfully deployed Cambium product in a challenging Non-Line-of-Sight environment
  • Prizes:  Win your choice of a complete PTP 500 link with Extended Warranty, a PMP 450 or an iPad

We’re looking forward to hearing your stories of how Cambium has helped you connect in challenging  environments, and are eager to hand out prizes to the best stories.  Start planning your submissions today and check back in for our next post on extreme weather conditions!

Cambium Wins Manufacturer of the Year at WISPAPALOOZA

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By Ray Savich, Marketing Manager

We are pleased to announce that Cambium Networks has been named the 2012 Manufacturer of the Year by WISPA, the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association. The Manufacturer of the Year Award is given for product innovation and outstanding contributions to WISPA and the fixed wireless broadband industry. WISPA presented Cambium with the award during its annual WISPAPALOOZA conference, Oct. 22 – 26 at the South Point Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.

Cambium supplies the wireless industry (carrier and service providers alike) with fixed wireless networking systems that help residents, businesses and government connect – from streaming video and gaming to real-time data access and video conferencing. Cambium has more than four million products deployed in thousands of networks in over 150 countries. Residents and businesses that could not take full advantage of the Internet due to the slow speeds of DSL or high deployment costs associated with fiber are able to use advanced applications, including VoIP telephony and video surveillance programs, on a Cambium network.

“It is a great honor to receive this award,” said Phil Bolt, president and CEO, Cambium Networks. “Cambium became an independent company just a year ago. It has been a tremendous journey this past year, and it’s a great honor to celebrate our one year anniversary with this recognition from WISPA.”

Knights of the Black Tie Society

We are also pleased to announce that Phil Bolt was inducted into The Knights of the Black Tie Society, one of WISPA’s most distinguished honors. Each year at WISPAPALOOZA, the association honors a handful of industry leaders for their contributions to WISPA and the industry. Bolt was among 16 industry leaders invited to join the society. The recipients for 2012 are:

Phil Bolt, Cambium Networks; Michael Calabrese, New America Foundation; Jeff Crews, Eastern Oregon Net; Gerard Dupont, Shelby Broadband; Jay Fuller, Cyber Broadband; Eje Gustafsson, WISP-Router; Kristian Hoffmann, Fire2Wire; Patrick Leary, Alvarion; Dan Lubar, Slopeside Internet; Chuck McCown, Wireless Beehive; Jim Patient, Link Technologies; Robert Pera, Ubiquiti Networks; Mark Radabaugh, Amplex; Donny Smith, Jaguar Communications; Doug Watkins, Blast Communications; Justin Wilson, Zig Wireless.

For more information on WIPAPALOOZA and The Knights of the Black Tie Society, visit: www.WISPA.org.

U.S. Air Force Spy Satellite Communication

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By Rob Miller, Director of Federal Sales, Cambium Networks

Yesterday at 2:39 pm Pacific,  the U.S. Air Force launched an Atlas 5 rocket into space for the country’s spy satellite agency from the Vandenberg Air Force Base (Vandenberg AFB). For those of you who are not familiar, Vandenberg AFB is a space and missile-testing base for the Department of Defense (DoD), with a mission of placing satellites into polar orbit. Exact details about the payload nestled inside the Atlas rocket are kept classified, but
the mission, known as the NROL-36, is critical to national security as it will deliver new Intel capabilities out to the warfighters.

It was a rare opportunity to witness the good work our PTP 45600, tactically deployable microwave radios can do for our national defense. The U.S. Air Force employed a Cambium PTP 45600 tactically deployable microwave to bridge a tracking system (located within the “danger zone” of the launch pad) to a safer site, where an optics export controls the tracking system.


Known as ROOTS (Remote Operational Optics Tracking System), this rig is a heavy trailer laden with nearly a dozen cameras of several varieties. The trailer provides the U.S. Air Force with a boatload of post launch visual data about the rocket, the umbilical tower that supports the rocket and associated mechanisms. The cameras, which typically include two 720p HD, 1080p HD, high speed/high res, and film, and thermal cameras each are mounted on a huge gymble-like rotor a-top the ROOTS trailer. During a launch, each of these cameras are remotely controlled and dynamically tilted or rotated by the optics expert, which is located two clicks away in the control van.

This is where the PTP 45600 comes in. The PTP 45600 is there to provide video and control Comms to the optics engineer in the control van so that he can remotely keep the ROOTS’ cameras trained on the rocket as it lifts off the pad toward the sky.

Certified for use by the Department of Defense

The PTP 45600 is specifically designed to support U.S. government entities with high performance connectivity and backhaul communications in challenging non-line-of-sight environments. The PTP 600 series is the only commercially available broadband wireless Fixed Network Element (F-NE) solution currently on the UC APL and certified for use by the DoD.

We’re extremely proud that the PTP 45600 was there to enable the U.S. Air Force to maintain steady communication between the ROOTS system, and the control operators and we look forward to being a part of many launches to come.

Announcing the Canopy Synchronization Video Contest Winner – AccessKenya

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By Ray Savich, Marketing Manager

For the past few months, we‘ve been asking our customers to tell us their stories about GPS Synchronization. We wanted to hear about how Canopy Synchronization is being used by our customers in the field, how it has helped their businesses grow, fulfill customer and employee needs and enabled their service providers to grow. To celebrate ten years of synchronization, we offered a Cambium Starter Kit, valued at $25,000, as a prize.

With videos submitted from around the world, our panel of judges chose the winner based on the authenticity of the story, clarity of end customer satisfaction, network operator growth and the use of Canopy GPS Synchronization.

Today, we’re happy to announce that AccessKenya Group has won the Cambium Networks Canopy Synchronization Video Contest! A leading provider of ICT services for corporate, SoHo and high end residential customers in Kenya and East Africa, AccessKenya provides innovative, high quality Internet and technology services to corporate customers at competitive prices. AccessKenya offers specialized products and services in five categories: Corporate Internet Solutions (CIS); Residential Broadband (RB); Managed Services (MS) and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME).

Beginning in 2003, AccessKenya built their first infrastructure on a Canopy Network and has continued using Cambium equipment to connect customers – and they grew from a small company to now having thousands of subscribers. Canopy GPS Synchronization has helped AccessKenya deploy enhanced services to their customers and end-users in a close-knit area with no interference, faster speeds and greater stability. Citing the ease of integration with different systems and vendors, AccessKenya has continued their ongoing relationship with Cambium due to the ability to scale their network without having to change technology or frequencies. Today, 40% of customers are on a Canopy Network and with an increasing demand for bandwidth, AccessKenya plans on using Cambium products as they are emerging into new markets across Kenya.

You can watch AccessKenya’s winning video submission, along with runners up here.

AccessKenya Canopy Synchronization Story

AccessKenya’s experience with using Cambium equipment to grow their network provided a truly outstanding example of how service providers can satisfy customers with consistently reliable communications. This was the number one reason we’ve selected them to be our contest winner. Congratulations, AccessKenya!

Globetrotting through May: Cambium Events this Month

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By Dava Baumann, Global Product Marketing Manager

During the month of May, Cambium has a full plate of events scheduled that we’re attending.  We’re on hand to meet new prospects, customers and partners at events beginning in Milan, then jetting to Kuala Lampur mid-month and finally ending in Orlando for UTC Telecom.

Here’s what’s on tap for the month:

M2M Forum, Milan, May 3

The Machine to Machine Forum focused on solutions for smart grid and utilities.  The theme for the event was “the Internet of things” and speakers focused on how the increase in wireless technology use and the evolution of machine to machine modules intersect between industrial automation and the mobile economy. Cambium’s Regional Sales Director in Europe, Alessio Murroni, spoke at the conference on the benefits utilities can gain from having a private wireless network over a public telecom network

Broadband IP & TV Asia, Kuala Lampur, May 15-16

Jay Hilbert, Senior Vice President Global Sales, is attending Broadband Asia this week and speaking on three trends we see currently effecting the industry:

  • How network extensions can help carriers increase capacity for the backbone and add new customers
  • How broadband wireless solutions can provide extra backhaul to help carriers alleviate and offload overloads on their 3G and 4G networks.  This is a growing problem with the prevalence of smartphones—wireless broadband can provide the backhaul needed to boost overloaded networks when they reach capacity in order to avoid customer flipping.
  • How service providers can get into the video surveillance game and provide added security, particularly for public safety

The event looks at broadband and media strategies across the entire ecosystem from fixed access services to content delivery.

UTC Telecom 2012, Orlando, May 20-23

Finally, Cambium will be exhibiting at UTC Telecom, Booth #439 in Orlando.  Sponsored by the Utilities Telecom Commission, UTC Telecom is focused on hot button issues for utilities providers, such as access to spectrum, cybersecurity, interoperability standards, following proper use protocols, privacy and getting ready for smart grid initiatives.  Cambium will be showcasing our products for the utilities market to help with the communications backbone. We’ll also be making a major partnership announcement at the show, so stay tuned for the big news from the show.

If you happen to be lucky enough to be in Milan, Kuala Lampur or Orlando this May, please join us at one of these shows!

UPDATE: How Would You Expand Your Network With $25,000?

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Canopy Celebrates 10 Years of Synchronization with a Video Contest

 By Ray Savich, Marketing Manager

Cambium customers – our video synchronization contest is pushing ahead at full steam! Have you put some thought into how you want to highlight your company’s use of Canopy GPS Synchronization capabilities?

Since we announced the video contest, we’ve updated our Canopy Synchronization product page with additional materials that may help you while filming your submission. On this page, you’ll be able to access collateral such as white papers and case studies describing product details, as well as video highlights that you can use as resources on what make our Synchronization offerings so unique.

If you’re ready to share your video, our submission page is now up and running! We’re eager to see how you’ve been using Cambium’s GPS Synchronization products – and don’t forget, if your video stands out to judges, you have the chance to win a Cambium Starter Kit, valued at $25,000.

The deadline for video submissions is June 30, 2012. Follow us on Twitter for updates about the promotion, and join our official LinkedIn group to have a say in the conversation. For a quick refresher on the rules and regulations of the contest, check out the announcement of the contest here, or stop by the Canopy Synchronization product page here.

Help us celebrate ten years of synchronization success with your story today!

How Would You Expand Your Network With $25,000?

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Cambium Celebrates 10 Years of Synchronization with a Video Contest

 By Ray Savich, Marketing Manager

For the past decade, Cambium’s PMP technology portfolio has led the wireless industry in its usage of powerful GPS synchronization capabilities. We are celebrating this outstanding achievement and key industry capability with a video contest. From now until June 30, 2012 let us know how you have used Cambium’s GPS Synchronization capabilities to help your business succeed and grow for a chance to win some of your favorite Canopy products, valued at over $25,000.

Here are the contest rules and regulations:

  • Topic: Canopy Synchronization Video Contest
  • Contest Dates: Submissions are open from April 23 through June 30, 2012
  • Format: In a 2 -3 minute video, show us how Cambium equipment has helped your business succeed, how you’ve helped fill customer and employee needs, how it has enabled your service providers to grow and how Synchronization has helped you satisfy customers.

Our panel of judges will select a winner from the submissions based on:

      1. Authenticity of the story
      2. End customer satisfaction, and network operator growth
      3. Use of Cambium Synchronization
  • Eligibility: Global customers who are Canopy network operators are eligible to enter the contest for a chance to win.
  • How to Submit: Upload your video through our submission page. This page will begin accepting videos in mid-May, 2012.
  • Prize: Win 360 degree AP tower coverage (100, 320 or 430 series APs); 10 Subscriber Modules to go with the APs, the synchronization option of your choice surge suppressors, power supplies and brackets.
  • All videos submitted become the property of Cambium Networks, and may be used in video, audio or print media.

With the prize valued at up to $25,000 MSRP, now is your chance to show us how Cambium has uniquely helped you and get showcased on our website and social media channels. So start planning your video today, we’re excited to watch how Cambium equipment is used around the world!

For more details about the promotion contest, visit our synchronization page here.

The True Costs of an Outage

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By Tony Cecchin, Vice President, Product & Business Operations

Customer satisfaction is critical to any service provider.  And with increased expectations for always-on connectivity from anywhere, service providers need superior reliability to eliminate outages and maximize uptime both to balance customer satisfaction and control costs for profitability. To keep customers loyal, avoiding downtime is critical.

Of course, the best way to prevent outages is to invest in the right equipment to minimize the risk of equipment failure or the need for repair dispatches.  Low cost networks can be considerably less reliable—both in hardware and message delivery—reducing customer satisfaction while increasing operational costs.

Preventable outages are a WISP’s worst nightmare.  Not only can a single outage affect customer perception, but it can seriously affect business.  When service is compromised, subscriber loyalty is tested, and since the cost of switching providers is so low, increased churn is a reality. WISPs must consider reliability when choosing a provider because when outages do occur, there are often a lot of hidden costs aside from downtime and service impact on customers that providers need to consider. Outages can also lead to unacceptably high maintenance and operations costs.

Consider the following…

The cost of a typical installation—or swapping out—involving a tower climb can be significant.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that three technicians be at each tower climb.  Since an average tower climb takes approximately two hours, each at approximately $85 per manhour, the average cost of a climb can be upwards of $510 total.  When you also factor in the costs of travel and vehicle dispatch for the day, you can pay about $100 per dispatch for labor and a vehicle per each dispatch.  In an eight-hour, four-person dispatch day, that’s over $2,400 in one day, which is significant.  It all adds up pretty quickly.

The inability of most low cost equipment to stand up to outdoor use inevitably leads to more outages, increases in trouble calls and dispatches.  Canopy networks have not only proven to be reliable performers worldwide, but can also lead to reductions in the hidden costs associated with outages.

Ultimately, a single outage can wipe out the savings from purchasing lower-priced equipment.  Isn’t the investment in a reliable Canopy network worth that savings in the long run?