Equipment

Wi-Fi Routers Available for Beta Testing

An alliance between Renaissance Networking Inc. and Telebyte Inc. is testing the low-cost outdoor Broadband Wireless IP Router that features a modular radio interface that allows ISPs to change Wi-Fi standards and spectrum use.

by Wayne Kawamoto [October 1, 2001]

Renaissance Networking Inc. (RNi), a research and development firm that deploys broadband wireless Internet access networks, announced a strategic alliance with Telebyte Inc. (OTC BB: TBTI), a manufacturer and developer of data communications and broadband products.

The companies will manufacture a new 2.4 GHz Broadband Wireless Internet Protocol (IP) Router that appeals specifically to Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

The Broadband Wireless IP Router is a low-cost, outdoor customer premises equipment (CPE) solution. It is based on 802.11 Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) standards and can deliver theoretical throughput of 11 Mbps second. The router is designed with a modular radio interface to provide simple migration paths to future standards such as 802.11a and a variety of wireless frequencies such as 2.4, 2.5, or 5.8 GHz.

RNi engineers developed the wireless design of the router and will continue to provide the research and development expertise for future product development. In addition to contributing its own development expertise, Telebyte will also provide financial backing for product development and manufacturing capacity to produce the routers.

"We spent the last three years developing this product line as we rolled out our broadband wireless service to hundreds of customers in a 300-square-mile network in and around Phoenix, Ariz.," said Jeff Clark, RNi's president and chief executive officer. "After proving that our hardware was cost-effective and reliable enough to provide guaranteed Service Level Agreements (SLAs), we began discussions with many other ISPs that wanted to provide the same type of high-speed Internet access to their customer base.

"However, in order to be able to meet the demand of several thousand ISPs that still only offer dial-up access, we needed additional manufacturing capacity," adds Clark. "The agreement with Telebyte allows us to meet that objective as well as help drive down costs to below several hundred dollars per subscriber."

"Telebyte has been a leading manufacturer of data communications equipment for copper and fiber networks since 1983," said Michael Breneisen, Telebyte's president and chief operating officer. "Like other companies in the networking industry we recognized the huge benefits of building out broadband wireless networks in order to reach customers that currently do not have access to DSL, cable modems or fiber optic connectivity. Adding a broadband wireless data option to our existing product mix allows our customers to tap into a whole new customer base that has limited access to other forms of wired broadband connections."

Pricing and availability
The Broadband Wireless IP Router is available now in limited quantities for beta customers, with full production runs beginning in fourth quarter of 2001.

Pricing is currently targeted for as low as $300 per subscriber in volume quantities.

ISPs interested in beta tests should contact David Levin, RNi, at 480/344-3156 (e-mail sales@rni.net) or John Bridwell, Telebyte, at 631/423-3232, ext. 447 (e-mail sales@telebyteusa.com).

—End