With alliances and product rollouts, mesh technology is picking up enough momentum to graduate it from infancy status.
Variously described as dynamic and ad hoc, the technology comes across as a technology to solve other technologies’ problems, whether in the public-safety, homeland-security, law-enforcement, telematics, home-networking, enterprise or consumer space.
In the wireless local area networks and cellular arenas, vendors and carriers are warming to its increasing value. Such intriguing applications as voice, high-speed data and video are its forte.
MeshNetworks Inc., whose name has become synonymous with the technology, describes it as enabling any radio technology and extending its ultimate range, increasing end-to-end throughput and enhancing overall system reliability.
It can be deployed in public spaces, homes, stadiums, open spaces, campuses, airports, vehicles, indoors and outdoors. It is simultaneously ubiquitous and restricted, depending on the needs of its deployment.
“We define mesh networking as intelligent, dynamic and not limited by any means, that can be utilized in a cost-effective way,” remarked Miska Kaipianen, chief executive officer of Meshcom Technologies Inc. The company said the technology gives network owners the freedom to expand without barriers, forming a dynamic network infrastructure.
Recent announcements testify to its momentum. With its sales force and reseller network in mind, Motorola Inc. entered a deal that will allow it to distribute MeshNetworks’ product, called MeshNetworks Enabled Architecture. MeshNetworks described its architecture as a “self-forming and self-healing” solution that has been deployed worldwide.
Both companies said “users with a mobile computer, a PDA or other Motorola-powered data device are able to join with other users to create an ad hoc broadband network capable of operating under harsh conditions, even in the absence of existing radio infrastructure.”
Some communities around the world already have deployed the service. Medford, Ore., is one of the first with its police, public-works and other municipal agencies taking advantage of its high-speed data, video and Voice over Internet Protocol offerings. Portsmouth in the United Kingdom also has carried out a similar deployment.
Mesh Networks and Scientel America announced the City of Cocoa Beach, Fla., has rolled out live mobile broadband services based on mesh technology. Using the MeshNetworks Enabled Architecture, the city will have high-speed “always-on” access to databases, images, video and other forms of dynamic media, according to the companies.
“MeshNetworks provided us with the best combination of cost, performance and reliability, which allows the Cocoa Beach Police Department, as well as other city departments, to provide enhanced services and improved responsiveness to the community,” said Jeff Thiel, information technology director of the City of Cocoa Beach. “Because of Cocoa Beach’s proximity to NASA and Air Force facilities, the MEA system may in the future play a role in homeland security initiatives.”
In related news, Nortel Networks Ltd. partnered with PacketHop Inc. to jointly market their combined solutions for emergency response teams. The solution will tackle real-time, multimedia challenges for various agencies and first responders.
Nortel sees mesh as part of its WLAN portfolio, said Melissa Chee, product manager of wireless mesh networks at Nortel. She explained that the technology comes in handy in areas where cabling is difficult, where ubiquitous coverage is unnecessary and as a complement to WLAN. Mesh networks require gateways, access points and network management solutions for proper installment.
Nortel also helped to deploy mesh technology at the National Taiwan University. “The NTU network deployment supports a wide range of multimedia applications and features, including Web browsing, audio and video streaming and e-mail access across Wi-Fi-enabled personal digital assistants, laptop computers and other Wi-Fi devices,” said Nortel.
Investors also are underlining the momentum of mesh technology. PacketHop raised $10 million in a second round of venture funding, while Firetide Inc. announced it also raised $2 million, bringing its total series B round to $15.6 million. As PacketHop announced its Nortel partnership, Firetide has teamed with Mitsui & Co.
Meanwhile, Full Mesh Networks Inc. announced a solution that can monitor 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth activity and shut down a rogue device or wireless hacking attempt.