Axell Wireless Bridges the Gap Between WiFi and DAS (Distributed Antenna System)

Barcelona, Spain, 26 February 2013 – Axell Wireless, the worldwide provider of wireless coverage solutions, today launched an enhancement to its OMU II (Optical Master Unit II) based DAS systems that will enable any industry standard WiFi access point to share the same backhaul cabling infrastructure.

Historically DAS systems have distributed coverage and capacity solutions for in-building applications for every major wireless technology including GSM, UMTS, WCDMA, LTE, P25 and TETRA over a common fibre optic cabling infrastructure. Axell has, and continues to be, an industry pioneer in such solutions. The WiFi vendors have traditionally separately installed “access points” to provide WiFi coverage throughout a building with all their IP backhauls connected via a totally separate cabling system consisting of cat 5 & 6 cable in addition to fibre optic connections. This results in a huge amount of additional cost duplication for the deployment owner whether they are a business or government enterprise or a mobile operator using “WiFi offload” to cope with peak traffic levels. In addition WiFi and DAS systems have been historically procured through totally separate channels making co-ordination, RF design and project management of an overall in-building solution more complex, time consuming and costly. It also means the customer or end user has no one focal point to go to when confronted with RF interferences in the building.

Axell’s new WiFi enabled DAS allows building owners and mobile operators to plug in access points either directly into an Axell MBF remote via an RG45 socket or via a standard Ethernet switch which, in turn, serves several access points for a particular area. WiFi traffic is then carried over the Axell DAS fibre connections completely seamlessly and without interference from any traditional wireless technologies such as GSM, WCDMA or LTE. At the DAS “hub” or “Optical Master Unit” (typically located in computer rooms or data centres) Axell’s solution splits the WiFi IP backhaul traffic from the cellular traffic and re-routes it to any standard Ethernet switch and onwards to an internet or high-speed backhaul service. Axell’s WiFi enabled DAS systems work with all major WiFi access points and associated switch technology. The system is easy to install, flexible and can scale to cope with the most demanding of environments. Both Axell DAS and WiFi vendors’ network management tools remain unaffected and perform in exactly the same manner as when in standalone mode.

Through joint sales and marketing arrangements with WiFi vendors and its systems integration partners, Axell expects to be able to offer both enterprises and mobile operators a “one stop shop solution” for all their in-building wireless coverage needs thus reducing costs, mitigating RF interferences and simplifying project management complexity for many installations.

Although Axell’s WiFi enabled DAS was primarily designed to serve WiFi installations running alongside a DAS solution, it may also provide IP backhaul infrastructure for other devices needing IP backhaul support, including for example small cells or devices such as surveillance cameras which are now installed in many public venues.

Ian Brown, CEO, Axell Wireless commented: 

“For more than forty years Axell has been at the forefront of the development of wireless coverage solutions. Our WiFi enabled DAS solutions are a natural response to demand for coverage solutions that address the full range of wireless connection options but which also reduce the complexity of installation and operation. We’ve overcome some complex technical barriers to deliver a comprehensive solution that has applications in markets around the world”.

About Axell Wireless

Axell Wireless is a global leader and manufacturer of wireless coverage solutions for both cellular and  public safety applications. Employing over 250 people, Axell Wireless has headquarters in Chesham, UK but operates from a network of 16 offices across the globe. Axell Wireless has an enviable track record spanning 40 years, having supplied coverage solutions for many environments  including road and rail tunnels, metros, small and large buildings, stadiums, remote or rural environments and transportation systems including railways and aeroplanes. www.axellwireless.com

Enquiries:  Babel PR: axellwireless@babelpr.com, +44 (0)20 7434 5550