Melbourne-based fibre and wireless ISP Lightning Broadband has announced the company is rolling out Ubiquiti Networks' latest radio system, AirFiber 5X HD.
Released this year, the AirFiber 5X HD radio system's abilities include 1 Gbps+ throughput and the capability to process 2 million+ packets per second.
Designed for use in the 5 GHz frequency band, the system is Ubiquiti Networks' first LTU radio and offers greater channel bandwidths of up to 100 MHz, dramatically increased range and more advanced RF components.
Patent‑pending HDD technology used by the device means even lower latency (a measure of time delay from one point of a network to another). It calculates the propagation delay between two radios, meaning they can send packets in precise synchronisation; resulting in packet transmission latency being virtually eliminated (1.5 ms - 3.5 ms).
Weighing just 350 grams, the AirFiber 5X HD packs the latest technology into a tiny space (224 x 82 x 48 mm) and consumes just 6 - 12 watts. While high-tech, it's also robust. It can operate in a temperature range of -40 to 55° C, meaning it's more than able to cope with Melbourne's sometimes extreme conditions.
The radio system is integrated into each antenna (one per antenna).
"We're keeping up with the latest technology in order to continue providing the very best services to our customers," says Lightning Broadband CEO Jeremy Rich. "Where it will provide the most benefit, new towers will feature AirFiber 5XHD, and radio systems on existing towers will be swapped out to AirFiber 5XHD as the need arises."
Lightning Broadband currently has 44 towers across Melbourne's inner and south-eastern suburbs, with more on the way. The company is also eyeing sites beyond Melbourne's boundaries and outside the state.
Ubiquiti Networks is a New York based company that was founded in 2005, specialising in communication products for enterprise and wireless broadband providers.
With devices such as the AirFiber 5X HD available, wireless broadband and fixed wireless internet have evolved in leaps and bounds over the last few years and present real competition for other connectivity options.
The fixed wireless internet technology of today is as reliable as wired connections, making it an excellent choice in business connectivity solutions.
Related: Busting Fixed Wireless Myths.
