Galaxy Internet Services (Galaxy) has selected Strix Systems to provide its Access/One Outdoor Wireless System (OWS) high-capacity, multi-radio mesh network for the city-wide Wi-Fi network in Brookline, Massachusetts. The Strix OWS, which incorporates long-range 4.9GHz access, simultaneous 2.4GHz access, and high-capacity integrated dual-radio 5GHz backhaul, is critical to achieving Brookline’s public safety requirements.
Brookline’s new wireless mesh network is the first city-wide Wi-Fi network in the Boston metro area and represents a significant step forward in the deployment of combined public safety and commercial networks in the U.S. to incorporating 4.9GHz. The network will support a variety of public safety and municipal applications and provide Wi-Fi services to a population of over 58,000. The Strix OWS will enable Brookline’s Police Department to gain immediate access to police reports and crime incidents and to perform remote video surveillance. In addition, the network will support traditional Internet services and voice communications (VoIP) for public safety, municipal, and commercial/consumer applications.
Strix’s new long-range 4.9GHz capability implements the DSRC-C mask adopted by the FCC for high-power operations; this mask is critical for paving a path towards unified communications for public safety agencies nationwide. The new option provides more than double the coverage area compared to standard 4.9GHz implementations and is a critical factor to consider for any municipal mesh network.
Galaxy, recently granted the license to deploy and operate the broadband network, is the anchor ISP for the combined public safety and commercial/consumer Wi-Fi network and will offer Internet and private access to consumers, small businesses, enterprises, government agencies, and public safety services. The network will enhance the effectiveness of Brookline’s critical public safety systems; augment the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region’s infrastructure with a secure, resilient, interoperable, high-performance, multi-purpose wireless network infrastructure; and enable the development of new services.
COMMENTARY
Bob Carp, President, Galaxy Internet Services – "Brookline’s wireless mesh network is strategic on many fronts, and the Strix Access/One OWS is the best product to deliver the wide range of services needed as well as high-power 4.9GHz, which was an important requirement for Brookline’s public safety applications. We found that Strix products work seamlessly, supporting 4.9GHz, 2.4GHz, and 5GHz simultaneously while maintaining the high levels of performance, resilience, and security needed for the scope and scale of this network. We realize the user density and demands of the network will increase and know from experience that Strix products provide the performance to handle that increase.”
Bruce Brown, CEO, Strix Systems – “Working with Galaxy on Brookline’s city-wide wireless mesh network is a wonderful opportunity. Combined public-safety/commercial networks must efficiently deliver capacity to any point in the mesh; securely separate public safety from commercial traffic; and fully support voice, video, and data applications. This is what Strix’s OWS multi-radio mesh network was designed to do. Our new 4.9GHz capabilities add an extra dimension to the significance of these networks.”
“Carriers and municipalities also face common challenges regarding costs. Galaxy quickly realized that the biggest issue is not the initial cost of deployment but the ongoing costs. Strix Access/One products provide the best blend of performance, features, and flexibility with the lowest TCO.”
MULTIMEDIA SUPPORT
* Strix Access/One Network Outdoor Wireless System (OWS)
* Strix Wireless Mesh Network Solutions
* Strix Long-Range 4.9GHz
* Galaxy Internet
* Brookline Massachusetts
KEY WORDS
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Strix's Access/One OWS modular mesh products deliver the largest capacity (up to six radios and 768 users per node, three to six times the norm), highest throughput (five times the norm at 35 Mbps), and best scalability (users can add more radio boards, 4.9GHz, WiMAX modules, or new technologies). An independent wireless mesh test sponsored by Light Reading and completed in June 2006 found Strix’s OWS 2400-30 delivers the best throughput and capacity, the greatest scalability for voice applications, and the best mobility/roaming. Strix networks scale to 10 or more wireless hops with near-zero throughput loss and latency. Customers can deliver real-time applications with a minimum of wired connections for a given area, which reduces CapEx and OpEx.
Strix Systems is the proven worldwide leader in wireless mesh networking. Strix’s Access/One products are the industry’s only modular (chassis-based) mesh systems, delivering the highest throughput, lowest latency, greatest capacity and unparalleled scalability. This new generation of products provides the broadband mobility and reach to support voice, video, and data applications. Sold globally by a network of first-class distributors and integrators, Access/One solutions have been deployed in hundreds of networks worldwide, outdoor and indoor, for the service providers, metro, public safety, government, energy, transportation, hospitality, education, enterprise, and residential markets. For more information about Strix Systems, please visit
www.strixsystems.com.
About Galaxy Internet Services, Inc.
Galaxy Internet Services Inc. is a privately held internet service provider based in Newton, Massachusetts which has been providing Internet and IT Solutions to the public, private enterprise and government municipalities since 1995. Galaxy’s mission is to enable wireless broadband access coupled with intelligent internet services everywhere through innovative joint partnerships with government municipalities and the private-sector. Galaxy’s services include a wide range of Internet connectivity, hosting, wide area networking and professional services. Galaxy is listed under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Statewide Contracts for Internet Services and Hosting ITT13 and IT Services ITS23. Through ITT13 and ITS23 Galaxy has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of state agencies, authorities, municipalities, police departments, fire departments, schools, and other eligible entities. Galaxy has also taken a prominent role in the two Wi-Fi pilot projects undertaken by the City of Boston.