WaveTek Seeks eBand Adoption as Alternative to Buried Fiber

WaveTek Nigeria Limited has re-echoed the dexterity service offering e-band wireless systems promises as the most compelling alternative to underground fiber optic cables.

Speaking at an exclusive E-band 70 Gigahertz (GHz) and 80GHz Forum for ICT executives in Lagos, Mr. Ken Spann, managing director and chief executive officer, WaveTek, said that e-band spectrum, referred to as ‘fiber in the air’ have numerous advantages over competing high capacity wireless technologies.

According to him, e-band are permitted worldwide for ultra-high capacity point-to-point communications, and even provides the highest data rates of any wireless technology, with systems available that offer 1Gbps and above full-duplex throughput.

He said that the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) 71-74/81-84GHz spectrum bands allocated to the Commissions offers 3GHz out of the total of available 5GHz bandwidth  frequency division duplex (FDD).

By the proposed plan, there is 2.875GHz bandwidth in each of the uplink and downlink directions as well as a guard of 125MHz at both ends of the bands.

He said, “We’ll like customers to select WaveTek as their strategic and reliable partner for all requirements around E-band, because we’ll provide all solutions to offload higher capacity priority traffic. Customers will then adopt WaveTek virtual fiber solution as alternative to fiber as a core network transmission strategy. During the process we’ll provide solutions to retain existing customers and attract customers than competition”.

About two years ago, he said, WaveTek utilized AOptix technology in conducting searches in Apapa-Surulere in Lagos and other parts of the city and founf E-band wireless systems offer the most compelling alternative to buried fiber with the following advantages such as strong weather resilience capabilities.

For Segun Salami, senior manager, Transmission Access Planning at MTN Nigeria, experts showed that the finding rate e-band as “not subject to fog, dust, air turbulence or any other atmospheric impairment that can immobilize optical links for hours”.

Other operational advantages of e-band include, it offers highest data rates; guaranteed data rates; long distance transmissions; guaranteed interference protection; low cost, rapid license availability and it works as a cost effective, fiber-like wireless solution.