Terabeam's Turbocell® Powers "Unbelievable" Performance Improvement In Aernet’s Wireless Network
Falls Church, VA — March 08, 2005: Terabeam Wireless, the business name of YDI Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ:YDIW), a leading developer and supplier of broadband wireless solutions, has delighted another major Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) with its range of networking solutions powered by its proprietary software protocol, TurboCell®. Aernet Wireless, Inc., the first WISP to serve Atlantic Canada, with approximately 500 customers, has exclusively used Terabeam’s outdoor, extended-range 802.11b-based products to deliver broadband service to rural customers since 2003. With the introduction of Terabeam’s 802.11b Turbo product set, Aernet has been able to upgrade portions of its network to increase performance and expand into denser urban regions without suffering from interference issues.
Aernet began its existence to bring broadband services to rural communities which were not being served by telephone or cable operators. After evaluating multiple vendors, they selected Terabeam for its WISP infrastructure portfolio of outdoor, extended-range access points, clients and bridges based on the 802.11b standard. "Terabeam’s equipment offered the most effective combination of coverage, range and affordable CPE," said Thomas Rivington, President of Aernet.
As Aernet grew its customer base in rural areas, it received requests from households in denser urban areas for similar service. Outdoor networks based on 802.11b are subject to what’s commonly called the "hidden node" effect, which is an increased level of self-generated interference as additional subscribers (nodes) are added to the network. This interference becomes more noticeable as node density increases. Aernet was concerned about its ability to serve the urban market using its existing platform. Fortunately, it was able to address the issue using Terabeam’s range of 802.11b Turbo products, which utilize the proprietary TurboCell® protocol specifically developed to increase the performance and scalability of 802.11 networks. Terabeam’s client equipment is the customer premises equipment that is installed at each subscriber’s location, while Terabeam’s access points act as the base station to aggregate the traffic from various clients for transmission on to the Internet.
"We upgraded the Terabeam AP Plus access points in one of our networks with TurboCell® licenses, and switched out the EtherAnt II clients for the new EtherAnt Turbos," explained Mr. Rivington. "The improvement in performance has been unbelievable." Due to the elimination of interference and more efficient bandwidth management, TurboCell®-enabled equipment allows actual throughput to move closer to network capacity. "Customers for our 256 kbps service are experiencing Internet access comparable to a 1 Mbps service from a DSL provider. Our tests have shown that we can even offer a 2 Mbps service," Mr. Rivington continued.
The company has also begun to switch its network backhaul from 802.11b-based bridges to Terabeam’s Marquee line of 5.8 GHz, OFDM, TurboCell®-powered systems, and has seen throughput jump more than three-fold.
Aernet has been able to redeploy the EtherAnt II clients in new rural networks where the hidden node issue occurs less frequently, thus maximizing its return on investment in network infrastructure. In recognition of the need for many WISPs to transition from 802.11b to TurboCell®-enabled equipment over time without stranding previous investments, Terabeam has introduced the EtherAnt 3 802.11b client which can be upgraded with TurboCell® in the field. This way a WISP can purchase a low-cost CPE but still have future upgrade capability.
"Successful WISPs such as Aernet rapidly develop opportunities to expand the territories they serve as well as the services they offer," said Amit Malhotra, Vice President of Marketing at Terabeam Wireless. "Terabeam is augmenting our broadband wireless infrastructure solutions to ensure that we can continue to exceed our customers’ most sophisticated demands."
TurboCell® is a proprietary software protocol developed to enhance the performance and scalability of 802.11-compliant outdoor networks. Terabeam’s new 802.11b Turbo line of solutions offers an upgrade path for service providers who have invested in our 802.11b systems and would like to increase service quality and return on investment. The Marquee line of 4.9 GHz or 5.8 GHz, OFDM networking products is powered by TurboCell®, and offers much of the functionality of WiMax today. Key features of TurboCell® include:
Terabeam Wireless is the business name of YDI Wireless, Inc. Terabeam Wireless is a world leader in providing extended range, license-free wireless data equipment and is a leading designer of turnkey long distance wireless systems ranging from 9600 bps to 1.44 Gbps for applications such as wireless Internet, wireless video, wireless LANs, wireless WANs, wireless MANs, and wireless virtual private networks. Additional information about Terabeam Wireless as well as its complete product line can be found at the company's website located at http://www.terabeam.com or by contacting the company by telephone at 413-665-8551 or by email at IR@terabeam.com.
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Terabeam Wireless’ actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could contribute to such differences including those relating to the downturn and ongoing uncertainty in the telecommunications industry and larger economy; the intense competition in Terabeam Wireless’ industries and resulting impacts on its pricing, gross margins, and general financial performance; and difficulties in predicting Terabeam Wireless’ future financial performance. Further information on these and other factors that could affect Terabeam Wireless’ actual results is and will be included in filings made by Terabeam Wireless from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in its other public statements.
David L. Renauld
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
(413) 665-8551