One of my big concerns is how to deal with the bandwidth limitations of Microwave Radio. To date (and I'm no expert here) the largest radio "pipe" is an OC-3. Given the limitation of spectrum and such, I don't believe there is any great solution coming soon.

These limitations have not been a problem to date. But soon all that will change. With Gigabit Ethernet circuits, fiber optic channels and such, having a 155 Mbps radio in the loop just won't cut it. So it was with great interest that I listened to the FSOT discussion on Tuesday at AT&T Labs.

FSOT is interesting technology. It has the capability of moving fiber-optic size payloads through the air. The cost of setting up an OC-3 circuit is somewhere between $12-$20K, varying by manufacturer and redundancy/reliability options. OC-48 and Gigabit Ethernet are workable options using FSOT.

I saw this technology several years ago at the NGN Conference. It sounded interesting. The person giving the presentation was from Boston. At that time the working distance for this technology was about 100 yards. Interesting in Boston, with a greater density of buildings. Not so interesting in spread out Utah.

Distances are still a limitation. For now, depending on atmospheric conditions, line-of-sight obstructions, circuit speed, etc. the distance has been increased. I couldn't get a feel for what is realistic in Utah. The manufacturer limitation is stated as 1 kilometer. That can be increased with OC-3 and Sub OC-3 rates in a dry climate. The working distance may stretch up to 5 or 6 kilometers. More interesting but still not good enough.

At one kilometer FSOT doesn't make sense in Utah. For about the $12K ballpark fiber can be installed at that distance. The only advantage FSOT has over fiber at 1 kilometer is speed of deployment. FSOT can easily be set up in one day.

Well, I'll still keep on looking. Technology is constantly moving, so I'm confident that radio limitations will be overcome. FSOT may even play a role. But for now, fiber is the best technology over short and long distance for the really big bandwidth needs.........
9:41:39 AM    comment []