How To Do TDM-, Ethernet-Supported Wireless Backhaul.

Ceragon, the Israeli outfit that's been turning Carrier Ethernet into a microwaveable artform, has come to market with its latest creation: a wireless backhaul platform supporting both Ethernet and TDM that's designed to fit any migration scenario involving any combination of pseudowire, TDM, CDM and Ethernet.

TelecomWeb wireless talked with Ceragon barely two months ago, so the latest introduction wasn't totally unexpected. But given the fact both Carrier Ethernet and backhaul needs driven by 3G/4G wireless broadband are about as hot as topics get in the broadband world these days (and Ceragon's one of the few that's managed to combine the two), we thought it prudent to touch base again.

Once again, we talked with Aviv Ronai, Ceragon's chief marketing officer, reaching him at his office in Tel Aviv just before he made the long trek to Las Vegas for the CTIA Wireless 2008 trade show, where Ceragon was showing off its latest creation.

'Risk Free'

What Ceragon's crafted is called the FibreAir IP-10, a device that includes just about everything but the kitchen sink: Integrated Ethernet switch, optional stackable radios with TDM cross-connect for nodal site applications, advanced service management and Operation Administration & Maintenance (OAM) tools. The idea, Ronai says, is that it's crafted a backhaul solution "able to address all scenarios when moving from TDM to IP."

"It's actually a product that enables a risk-free migration of the mobile backhaul," he continues. That's because as it's a product "that actually includes very strong TDM capabilities, as well as very strong IP capabilities," carriers can start off slowly, rather than having to take the TDM-to-IP plunge all in one step.

"They (carriers) can start with one migration scenario, and then migrate to a different migration scenario," Ronai adds.