RAD’s DXC Backs Up the Wireless Local Loop

Vesper is the largest wireless local loop (WLL) operator in Brazil, providing competitive local and long distance services in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other states. Vesper realized that its survival depends not only on price but also on delivering high quality, reliable services.

To ensure continuous operation, Vesper installed a backup network based on RAD’s compact DXC-8R multiservice access node. This cost-effective unit can cross connect traffic between sites and keep operators’ costs down by grooming traffic from multiple base stations onto a single link. And the compact, 1U high DXC-8R unit saves space in cramped base stations. But the main reasons Vesper selected the DXC are the device’s built-in redundancy capabilities and central SNMP management support.

Vesper normally transmits its 2 Mbps Frame Relay data between the wireless base stations and the central switch over aerial fiber. However, to ensure Quality of Service, Vesper requires a backup radio network in case of any failure in the aerial fiber. The single slot protection feature of the DXC fulfills this requirement by automatically activating an alternate E1 port when any active E1 link falls and goes offline. “The redundancy provided by the DXC is vital for us,” says Eric Paul, Transport Access Network Manager at Vesper. “The application showed its efficiency twice last year when trucks broke our aerial fiber installed in the city.”

Central management is another crucial aspect of the Vesper network. As a competitive carrier, Vesper needs to deploy services quickly and be responsive to customer needs. The DXC network management capabilities provide remote control and monitoring of all network components. “It helps us locate and correct faults in real-time,” states Paul.