BelAir Networks has announced two new carrier-grade wireless mesh products that enable Multiple System Operators (MSOs) and cable operators to quickly expand their broadband offerings by deploying wireless mesh nodes directly on their existing wired network.

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The innovative BelAir50s and BelAir100s can be installed anywhere in existing cable networks, allowing MSOs and cable operators to use their existing cable plant to deploy Wi-Fi networks for municipal and city-wide networks, campuses, hotels and resorts, multiple dwelling units. Companies can deploy the units directly on their cable, thereby eliminating permits and recurring fees. These single- and dual-radio mesh nodes are strand-mounted, plant-powered and offer a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 2.0 interface.

The BelAir50s is a single-radio, wireless mesh node that leverages BelAir's rugged outdoor design. Each BelAir50s includes an 802.11g access radio module that supports Wi-Fi client access and wireless backhaul in the 2.4-GHz band. The BelAir50s offer automatic discovery of other mesh nodes, multiple SSID and VLAN support. The product has an external omni-directional antenna, battery backup, and supports a DOCSIS, copper or fiber interface.

The BelAir100s is a 2-radio, wireless mesh switch that includes all of the capabilities of the BelAir50s and more. It adds a 5-GHz backhaul radio module that supports a shared mesh or forms dedicated point-to-point links to other mesh switches. The BelAir100s can be configured with two backhaul radio modules and offers high gain directional or omni-directional antennas.

These new products expand BelAir's comprehensive product line for metro scale broadband wireless networks. The strand-mounted BelAir50s and BelAir100s are currently in customer trials and will be available generally in the first quarter of 2006.