Nortel Testing Mesh Based Network
Nortel says that it has launched a municipal wireless mesh network trial in the city of Ariel, Israel, to deliver high-speed broadband wireless access to Ariel residents and municipal employees. For the year-long trial, which forms part of Ariel's "Smart City" program, Nortel has deployed wireless mesh access points for high-speed wireless coverage in two key areas, along the city's pedestrian mall and at the campus of the College of Judea and Samaria.
Ron Nachman, mayor of Ariel, who initiated and is leading Ariel's "Smart City" program, said, "This wireless mesh network trial is another step towards realizing the 'Smart City' vision that I have been directing for several years. This time we are concentrating on creating a smart wireless city. By deploying municipal networks, powered by Nortel's wireless mesh solution, we can deliver a wide range of smarter, faster, wireless services. The city of Ariel is proud to be the first city in Israel to use this technology."
For the Ariel project, Nortel provided a wireless mesh solution that includes the Nortel Wireless Access Point (AP) 7220 for wireless access; the Nortel Wireless Gateway (WG) 7250 for management of data and mobile security; and the Nortel Optivity Network Management System (NMS) for management of network components. In addition, Nortel provided a Business Communications Manager (BCM) 50, WLAN IP Telephony Manager 2245, and Nortel WLAN Handsets 2210.
End-user devices able to use the Ariel wireless mesh network include laptop computers, hand-held computers, Wi-Fi devices such as cameras, and at later date, Wi-Fi capable cellular telephones. Users can benefit from continuous wireless service while walking, cycling or even driving at low speeds, all delivered at bit rates similar to those enabled by home and office wireless networks."
Posted to the site on 20th October 2006
