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QX.net Accelerates Network Build-Out with BridgeWave's Gigabit Wireless Links to Boost Network Backhaul Capacity and Deliver Reliable, Secure Broadband Internet Services

Santa Clara, CA - September 10, 2007 - BridgeWave Communications, the leading supplier of gigabit wireless solutions, has announced that QX Networking & Design (QX.net), an innovative Internet Service Provider (ISP) based in Lexington, Ky., has deployed 10 of its 60 GHz and 80 GHz gigabit wireless links to power a state-of-the-art network that transports high-quality voice, video and data services to more than 5,000 businesses.

Founded more than a decade ago, QX.net offers broadband Internet access, co-location, email and web hosting to some of the state's largest employers. An unwavering focus on delivering quality services at competitive prices led to an increasing adoption of point-to-point wireless technologies. However, escalating bandwidth requirements overburdened the ISP's existing 10-to-45Mbps wireless links, creating a need for a robust backhaul solution that could accommodate traffic growth from widespread Voice over IP (VoIP) adoption, large data file downloads as well as the proliferation of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and remote terminal server solutions.

In expanding its backhaul capacity, QX.net also wanted to avoid saturation issues in the overcrowded 5.3GHz and 5.8GHz frequency ranges. To that end, the ISP determined that Gigabit wireless bridges operating in the new 60 GHz and 80 GHz bands would provide ample bandwidth without competing with lower-frequency links for limited spectrum allocations. QX.net enlisted the support of TESSCO Technologies, a value-added supplier of wireless technologies, to review competing GigE wireless products from Loea Corp., GigaBeam Corp. and BridgeWave Communications while also comparing them with traditional broadband wireless solutions operating in the 11-to-38GHz radio frequencies.

QX.net was most interested in the lightly licensed 80 GHz products that delivered full-rate, GigE speeds without the high costs and FCC processing time delays associating with other licensed products. When comparing 80 GHz offerings, QX.net was impressed with the advanced functionality and affordable pricing of BridgeWave's GigE portfolio, particularly the unique AdaptRate 80 GHz Extended Range Gigabit product (AR80X). The AdaptRate feature momentarily switches the link from GigE to 100Mbps transmission to ensure continuous operation during intense rain downpours. The AR80X combines AdaptRate with an extended-range antenna to deliver "five nines" or better link availability at distances over two miles.

Once QX.net determined that BridgeWave met all its criteria in terms of network capacity, availability, security and reliability, the ISP installed two license-free GE60 60 GHz, two licensed GE80 80 GHz and six AR80X 80 GHz links as part of a hybrid star/ring network topology. The links are used primarily to backhaul subscriber site traffic to various voice and data aggregation "Sub PoPs."

According to Jonathan Barker, CEO of QX.net, the BridgeWave GigE wireless products offer substantial room for network expansion. Additionally, the ultra-low latency links ensure the highest quality of voice and data transmissions while also positioning the ISP for the rollout of future offerings. "With BridgeWave's high-speed GigE wireless products, we'll be able to double, triple or quadruple our network capacity to deliver even more diverse services in the future," he says. "With this vast amount of bandwidth, we'll be able to compete effectively with the cable companies in rolling out video on demand (VOD) services."

The ISP appreciates the inherent network security of the BridgeWave links, resulting from the narrow width of the GigE wireless beams, which enables QX.net to better safeguard its customers' traffic because the links aren't susceptible to interference or interception. The links also work seamlessly with lower-frequency radios to supply full network redundancy while also supporting QX.net's plans to add 3.625GHz point-to-multipoint backup links to decrease overcrowding in the 5GHz spectrum. "This one-time investment will produce a complete ROI in less than one year while generating multiple payback opportunities," adds Barker.

According to Gregg Levin, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for BridgeWave, service providers increasingly are embracing GigE wireless links to support high-capacity business access and backbone applications. "BridgeWave's Gigabit wireless solutions enable operators to scale their networks seamlessly while offering superior interference immunity and data security," he says. "Our full GigE bandwidth and ultra-low latency performance provide a future-proof foundation to support emerging voice, data and video services."

About BridgeWave Communications
Founded in 1999, BridgeWave Communications is the leading supplier of outdoor Gigabit wireless connectivity solutions. The company’s exclusive AdaptRate™ and AdaptPath™ technologies combined with its advanced Forward Error Correction capability deliver the highest availability at the longest distances for full-rate gigabit links. BridgeWave’s point-to-point, wireless solutions are widely deployed in mainstream enterprise and service provider network applications and are poised to play a key role in the migration to 4G mobile network backhaul. With the largest installed base of GigE radios worldwide, BridgeWave delivers the highest levels of product quality and reliability.