Microwave radio choices

There’s no one-size-fits-all in microwave. Each radio architecture comes with tradeoffs, so you need to weigh the choices in each segment of the network to get the right product mix for your business. To determine your best solution, first establish your requirements from a capacity, reliability, operational, and cost perspective. Then choose the right product. Microwave’s major technologies include the following.

Matching equipment to the solution

Here are some general guidelines to help you determine where each radio works best.

Industry priorities

As an operator, your choices are based on your business, your technical requirements, and your service offerings. Critical parameters include:

• New services: Carrier Ethernet and advanced IP/MPLS connectivity enable deployment of new services to end customers.
• Capacity: End users continue to exert pressure for 4G (and soon 5G) capacity and services.
• Total cost of ownership: Industries that provide services to critical infrastructure and public safety tend to be more tolerant to upfront costs. Some cellular companies try to minimize upfront costs.
• Operations management: Simplified, automated deployment and operation mean lower and more predictable operational expenses.
• Mean time to repair:  Low MTTR has a direct positive impact on operating costs.
• Redundancy and resiliency: Mission-critical networks are likely to include greater redundancy. Operators with upfront cost constraints are more open to virtual protection and less physical redundancy.