N.Y. Recording Studio Beams CDs and DVDs Across Manhattan's Skyline

Uses RAD's Wireless Multiplexer to Connect to Broadband Internet

December 16, 2004: Rainbow Broadband Inc., a wireless network operator specializing in providing high bandwidth services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that do not have access to fiber, has selected the AirMux-200 wireless multiplexer from RAD Data Communications to enable broadband Last Mile connectivity from New York City office buildings directly to the Internet service provider (ISP), bypassing slower T1 and DSL links.

"Most SMEs in Manhattan are located in small buildings all over the city," says Rainbow Broadband CEO Russell Hamm. "They need faster service but can't get it from a T1 network," he explains. "Huge digital files, such as architectural drawings and engineering designs as well as multimedia, are being used more and more for office communications," Hamm continues. "Fiber is not an economically viable solution in the city, so we're providing high bandwidth services to SMEs by beaming files through the air to go over and above the carrier."

Six Times the Bandwidth of a T1

After checking at least five competing products, Rainbow Broadband found that RAD's AirMux-200 offered the best performance. "It beat the competition hands-down both in terms of speed and size," Hamm states. "It offers six times the bandwidth of the T1 network, so it moves the files very fast."

One high-profile customer that benefits from Rainbow Broadband's services is Masterdisk Corporation, one of the world's leading audio, video and multimedia mastering facilities for the recording industry. The company masters CDs and authors DVDs for the biggest names in the business and for every genre, from the Beach Boys to the Beastie Boys, Queensrÿche to Queen Latifah and King Sunny Ade to B. B. King. Master recordings are massive files that require client approval before pressing hundreds of thousands of CDs or DVDs. The available T1 or DSL infrastructure was creating a major bottleneck in Masterdisk's review process, as it required several hours to upload and download the heavy media files to the Internet.

Wireless Connection is Quicker and More Efficient

The AirMux-200 unit installed on the roof of Masterdisk's 10-story building on 45th Street beams the bandwidth to another AirMux-200 unit located on the roof of a Rainbow hub building on 34th Street. From there the files are routed directly to the ISP's fiber network and onto the high speed Internet. Masterdisk's wireless connection to the Internet speeds up its approval process, turning around jobs much more quickly and efficiently.

"The focused beam is a big advantage for Masterdisk because it assures secure communications," Hamm concludes. "And landlords like the idea of the AirMux’s compact antenna on their roofs because it is much more aesthetic than other solutions requiring large, ugly dish antennas."

About RAD

Established in 1981, privately owned RAD Data Communications has achieved international recognition as a major manufacturer of high quality access equipment for data communications and telecommunications applications. These solutions serve the data and voice access requirements of service providers, incumbent and new carriers, and enterprise networks, by reducing infrastructure investment costs while boosting competitiveness and profitability. The company's installed base exceeds 10,000,000 units and includes more than 150 carriers and operators around the world. These customers are supported by 21 RAD offices and more than 300 channel partners in 164 countries.

RAD is a member of the RAD Group of companies, a world leader in networking and internetworking product solutions.