NewsGlobe: Interviews

Cutthroat is high on Ethernet-based wireless backhaul

Targets customers with mix of microwave, copper and copper-based solutions

by Sean Buckley

When the main application on the wireless network was voice, a traditional T1 circuit in the backhaul network was sufficient. But with the rise of new multimedia an data-intensive applications brought on by CDMA EVDO and HSDPA, wireless operators need a medium that is more flexible than a traditional TDM-based T1 circuit. The answer is simple: Ethernet. Todd Graetz, CEO of Cutthroat Communications talks to Executive Editor Sean Buckley about how it is extending the flexibility of Ethernet to its wireless operator customers.

Click here for the Audiocast of this interview

In this Audiocast, Graetz answers the following questions:

When it comes to wireless backhaul, the two dominant forms have been either E1/T1 and TDM-based microwave solutions, but now we’re hearing more about carriers adopting or considering using IP/Ethernet for wireless backhaul. What’s driving the migration from TDM to IP/Ethernet for wireless backhaul and how does Cutthroat approach this opportunity?

Cutthroat itself has deployed new IP/Ethernet-enabled microwave solutions (i.e., Air Pair) from DragonWave. How are you using those solutions for wireless backhaul and what benefits do they overcome from traditional TDM-based microwave backhaul?

To help ease a wireless operator’s migration toward Ethernet for wireless backhaul, there’s been talk about IP/Ethernet architecture for backhaul where you maintain a TDM for voice and then Ethernet for data. Are you seeing a similar trend?

One issue that’s gaining momentum is dealing with clock synchronization when using Ethernet for wireless backhaul. How is Cutthroat addressing that issue?

Given the dominance of copper facilities in the ground, during last year’s CTIA show, one of the surprising trends to come out of discussions was centered around Ethernet over Copper solutions for wireless backhaul. Are you seeing growing demand for such platforms?

Click here to listen to the Audiocast

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