Metronet deploys Infinet Wireless Broadband Access solutions across the UK’s first profitable broadband wireless carrier network

InfiNet Wireless, a leading global manufacturer and provider of carrier-grade wireless infrastructure solutions for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access (FBWA) and wireless connectivity, today announced that Metronet UK Limited, a leading Broadband Wireless Service Provider and Carrier in the United Kingdom and Ireland (the first to achieve profitability as a wireless communications operator), is deploying InfiNet Wireless’s InfiLINK series of point to-point and InfiMAN series of point-to-multipoint solutions as part of its expanding last-mile wireless connectivity portfolio.

Metronet, which lays claim to a number of milestones including the first to support wireless IP CCTV video streaming and the installation of the UK's first Gigabit wireless connection has, since October 2006, secured more than 200 corporate customers for its high quality, cost effective alternative to traditional leased line circuits, and is further rapidly expanding its network from its base in Greater Manchester to additional areas covering Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Dublin.

As well as targetting corporate data clients with high bandwidth and high-reliability business class Internet and MPLS based Point-to-Point network access solutions, Metronet is engaging with local Police and Council Authorities to promote use of its network infrastructure to support wireless connectivity for applications such as CCTV video and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) systems.

Metronet are utilising InfiNet Wireless’s products to offer customers high-bandwidth and highly secure wireless access to the Metronet core dark fibre backbone, citing the InfiNet portfolio as ideally suited to applications where access bandwidth regularly requires throughput of above 20 Mb/s whilst still conforming to Metronet’s highly-demanding reliability SLAs of 99.95% availability. InfiNet’s products are used for point-to-point last-mile applications (such as high-bandwidth customer corporate network access), as well as for more complex point-to-multipoint applications covering enterprise networks, public safety and security networks. The deployments support diverse traffic profiles covering applications such as high-capacity backhaul, Voice-over-IP-based call centres, video conferencing, high-bandwidth corporate database synchronisation, remote data centre services, public security applications and IP CCTV surveillance, where low-latency networks capable of supporting PTZ-controlled surveillance systems are an important factor.

Elliott Mueller, CEO for Metronet, notes, "Corporate customers increasingly appreciate the quality of service delivered by Metronet at a price point where traditional network operators simply cannot compete. That services are delivered within five working days of receipt of order and operate to a 99.95% Service Level Agreement is a real testament to our operation, and as such we require industry solutions from our partners that can deliver the highest performance, reliability and customer support in order for us to meet this goal. InfiNet has proven itself to be a leading partner to Metronet in these important areas".

Commenting for InfiNet Wireless on the announcement, Robert Stubblebine, CEO for Infinet Wireless, explains: “InfiNet Wireless already has a reputation for innovative, flexible and highly reliable solutions with its customers, and InfiNet’s wireless portfolio offers both a compelling business benefit through lower cost of ownership, intimate customer support and clear technical and performance advantages over its nearest competitors. We are pleased that Metronet has chosen Infinet Wireless as a key vendor in its solutions portfolio, and look forward to working closely with Metronet as it continues to replicate its success with further expansion across new cities in the U.K. and Ireland.”

About InfiNet Wireless

Established in 1993, Infinet Wireless is one of the largest privately owned Fixed Broadband Wireless Access (FBWA) development and manufacturing companies in the world. With more than 15 years of intense customer based research and product development, InfiNet’s range of wireless connectivity solutions are the preferred choice of global communication corporations and governments who require uncompromising connectivity. To date, InfiNet Wireless has forged a solid foundation in fixed wireless installations, and currently has over 70,000 deployments from the plains of Siberia to the depths of the Sahara and have been successfully deployed in over 35 countries. Its philosophy of providing the most flexible, reliable, cost-attractive and innovative solutions in the industry has helped it to reach the market leader position for Wireless solutions in Russia and Central & Northern Asia, and is the benchmark of carrier grade multiservice broadband wireless access systems.

About Manchester Metronet

Manchester Metronet claims to be the first UK Wireless Communications Services Business to achieve profitability having achieved a number of key industry milestones. It was the first Company to publish a fixed price leased line service model (regardless of location); the first to deliver an integrated multi-agency CCTV monitoring network; the first to install a 1 Gigabit connection operating in the 80GHz spectrum; and it has delivered the largest and most advanced IP CCTV network across a wireless WAN.

The Company recently opened up services in Liverpool and has incorporated in Ireland to deliver services initially in Dublin. Having successfully replicated its business model in Liverpool, Leeds and Dublin, Metronet plans to roll out services to other Cities across the UK.

Working in partnership with TeleCity and IFL, Metronet provides a ubiquitous gateway to other networks, ISPs and the Internet.