ACADEMIA

Cambium Networks and Agile Networks announced that Cambium's world-class suite of wireless solutions has been chosen for the statewide build-out of The Agile Network in Ohio.

The Agile Network will cover more than 3 million address points across the state, including over 100,000 homes that do not have access to broadband today. This initiative aims to drive economic development, update the state's public safety infrastructure and reduce telecommunications costs for local and state government across Ohio. It will provide the infrastructure to better connect residents, businesses and government locations, as well as provide open access for telecom service providers throughout the state. Special emphasis for  this shared resource will be placed on counties in need and local government entities such as hospitals, county courthouses, police stations and other local government buildings that require an enhanced data infrastructure to provide public safety and a wide range of additional government services.  

Cambium will support The Agile Network infrastructure by utilizing a broad range of the company's point-to-point (PTP) and point-to-multipoint (PMP) wireless broadband solutions. Using a combination of both licensed and licensed-exempt frequencies, Agile will deploy Cambium's PMP 320 and PMP 450 products as well as the PTP 800i All-Indoor solution for last mile access and backhaul infrastructure to deliver broadband services throughout the network. The PMP 450, Cambium's newest high-performance, 4G, PMP platform will be instrumental in enabling Agile to reach previously underserved Ohio residents. Cambium's broadband solutions were chosen because they enable wide-range connectivity, scalability and high reliability. Cambium's products have also been recognized as surpassing the technical specifications for reliability, ruggedness and dependability necessary for the public safety network.

"Cambium's solutions have the reliability and scale we need to help build out the wireless broadband network across the state of Ohio," said Kyle Quillen, chief technology officer, Agile Networks. "Initiatives like this one are critical for helping the state of Ohio bridge the digital divide and foster economic growth throughout the entire state. Using Cambium's comprehensive suite of products, The Agile Network will help bridge the connectivity gap in rural Ohio and provide wireless broadband access to thousands of people who otherwise would not have adequate access. Cambium's product line and engineering expertise allows us to deliver fiber-grade connectivity with the affordability, the speed of deployment and the sheer agility that comes with wireless infrastructure."

The network will help local governments deploy rural broadband projects, reduce operating costs and unify their communications infrastructures across a common system.

Cambium and Quillen first partnered together as part of a 2009 project to deliver countywide wireless broadband to Coshocton County, a rural Appalachian county located in East Central Ohio. As part of that project, Cambium's products were used to install 14 access points throughout the county connecting both residential and business users. The success of that project ultimately led to this statewide deployment.

"Broadband is no longer a luxury, it's become a necessity for businesses, residents and government alike," said Jay Hilbert, senior vice president, Global Sales, Cambium Networks. "Our partnership with Agile is an important one that sets the standard for providing reliable, affordable connectivity across both underserved and urban areas within an entire state. As the first statewide initiative of its kind, The Agile Network also serves as a model for other states to emulate by bringing together the public and private sectors to benefit everyone's economic interests."