A reputable provider of millimeter wave systems, Siklu has entered advanced trials with its new, EtherHaul-600T small cell backhaul system. Siklu is working with Vodaphone, among other leading mobile operators on these trails.

Taking into account that thousands of small cells are to be deployed in highly populated, street-level metropolitan scenarios, it’s obvious that a key challenge will be providing backhaul to the small cell. The mass production of small cells will have to be enabled by a very low-cost, small form factor backhaul solution, which blends into street-level entertainment. 

Major mobile operators are conducting technology trials with Siklu at the moment, to formulate their strategy for cost-effective backhaul and small cell deployments.

The EtherHaul-600T operates in the unlicensed 57-66 GHz V-band spectrum, and is an all-outdoor ultra-small backhaul system. The design of the EtherHaul-600T allows for rapid deployment anywhere from rooftops to streetlamps, as network capacity is boosted by service providers in dense urban environments, through small cells.

The EtherHaul-600T has undergone outdoor performance testing and lab testing with mobile operators, the unit’s performance being gauged at various differences. Vodaphone now has deployed several EtherHaul-600T links in a downtown area of a U.K. city.

EtherHaul-600T units are deployed in a daisy chain, to provide backhaul for traffic generated by small cells, tracking the availability and performance of the links.

The EtherHaul-600T from Siklu offers ease of commissioning and installation with plug-and-play, zero-touch integration into the Self Organizing Network of the operator. The EtherHaul-600T is offered at a lower cost than most other millimeter wave solutions, and should be available sometime later this year. 

Vice president of business development and marketing for Siklu, Gaby Junowicz, said, “What is unique about this live trial is that the EtherHaul-600T units are installed at street level installations, mounted on light poles. Not only are they designed to blend into the environment so they are virtually invisible, but they are also performing reliably even as the streetlight poles twist and sway in the wind.”

A landmark for in E-Band millimeter wave systems, Siklu will be exhibiting February 25-28 at the Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) in Barcelona. They will be showcasing the EtherHaul-600T as well as the EtherHaul millimeter wave systems in Hall 5, Stand 5H70.