Broadband Wireless: Ensemble, Digital Microwave Form Distribution Agreement

In a move to add point-to-multipoint radios to its portfolio, Digital Microwave Corp. has entered into a worldwide marketing and distribution agreement with Ensemble Communications (San Diego, CA). The alliance lets both companies better serve the competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) market because in most cases, CLECs will incorporate both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint radios in their networks. Now, both companies can take care of both segments.

Under terms of the agreement, Digital Microwave will place an initial purchase order for approximately $5 million of Ensemble's system in the next few months. The companies expect subsequent purchases, driven by anticipated growth in the market, to follow.

Ensemble's Fiberless point-to-multipoint broadband wireless access system is fueled by Ensemble's patented Adaptix technology that consists of adaptive TDD, adaptive TDMA, and adaptive modulation. These assets allow the company to deliver services in a way that optimizes both equipment and frequency resources. Recently, the company submitted proposals to IEEE 802.16 and ETSI BRAN that contain many of the core ideas behind Adaptix for use in creating an air interface standard.

The technology is designed to serve carriers with licenses ranging from 10 GHz to 45 GHz and to interconnect with IP, ATM and TDM backhaul architectures.

Edited by Ellen Jensen