Nextel Communications Inc. and RadioFrame Networks Inc. launched an integrated cellular/wireless local area network system designed to improve in-building coverage and capacity for wireless voice and data services and provide customers with the ability to deploy a WLAN network using the same infrastructure.
Nextel said the solution, which will be part of its Wireless Business Solutions platform, will extend the coverage of its current wireless offerings, including its Direct Connect service, with “seamless hand-offs when entering or leaving a building.”
Nextel added that it will design, install, monitor and upgrade all of its customers’ wireless networks for the service while RadioFrame will provide the system infrastructure and associated software enabling multiple wireless interfaces running over a single, powered Cat-5 wire.
“The increased coverage and capacity that Nextel’s in-building system provides is like having a cell site inside your building,” explained Ernie Cormier, vice president of business solutions for Nextel. “Integrating a WLAN on the same infrastructure increases employee productivity and reduces costs for our customers, making it the very definition of a wireless business solution.”
RadioFrame noted the RadioFrame Units, which the company said were central to the product offering and could be mounted at various locations within a building, are about the size of an exit sign and can contain up to seven low-power RadioBlade transceivers.
