The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations Electronic Communications Committee (CEPT ECC), has opened up the 60 GHz mmWave unlicensed band for Gigabit Fixed Wireless Access in Europe to pave the way for ubiquitous deployment of unlicensed 60 GHz technology. Based on the announcement, Cambridge Communication Systems (CCS) a developer of backhaul solutions for the 60 GHz band has introduced its EU approved Metnet 60G 12Gbps 60GHz mmWave backhaul and access system. CCS’s Metnet 60G solution adheres to the relevant harmonised standards under 2014/53/EU on RED (Radio Equipment Directive). This, together with the existing FCC radio type approval, enables Metnet 60G to be deployed across multiple countries where the use of unlicensed 60GHz is allowed.
CEPT ECC recently set out its new recommendations for Short Range Devices (SRD), lighting a path for European regulators to adopt updated standards to enable the usage of unlicensed 60 GHz beamforming technology in fixed outdoor environments. The ERC recommendation, published in June 2019, supports the use of wireless systems operating between 57-71 GHz with a maximum output power of 40 dBm EIRP. These recommendations also align with the Ofcom 60 GHz standards (as detailed in IR2030, updated in November 2018), and FCC Part 15.255, which were updated in July 2016 as part of the Spectrum Frontiers order to open up new licensed and unlicensed mmWave spectrum for 5G technology.
The global movement to open up the unlicensed 60 GHz band is removing license barriers and creating a significant opportunity for both established mobile operators and new broadband service providers in Gigabit Fixed Wireless Access applications.
The new unlicensed mmWave band harnesses much wider channels to deliver multi-gigabit services which are comparable to fibre connectivity, but at a much lower cost and faster deployment time, offering exciting potential for a range of new Gigabit Fixed Wireless Access applications. Up to 14GHz of spectrum between 57-71 GHz is available together with 2 GHz channels each supporting over 3Gbps of throughput. The updated regulations also allow the opportunity to support electronic beamforming antennas, significantly reducing the installation time. Traditionally mmWave point-to-point links required multiple high gain directional antennas which require precise alignment.
The EU type-approved CCS Metnet ultra-high capacity 60G product solution consists of 12 Gbps multi radio mesh nodes with an all-round multi-radio view, and 1Gbps CPEs to deliver an unrivalled hybrid backhaul and Gigabit fixed wireless access (FWA) solution. Metnet 60G nodes and CPEs connect autonomously to form a flexible mesh network that runs CCS's advanced self-organising and self-healing SDN software.
CCS is the creator of Metnet – the world’s first self-organising mmWave mesh for Gigabit backhaul and access applications. From dense urban cities to rural communities, Metnet can be deployed for 4G LTE and 5G small cell backhaul, Enterprise and Residential Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Smart City, Wi-Fi and CCTV backhaul.
In major live deployments, Metnet is powering networks to mmWave 5G performance – intuitively, scalably, flexibly and cost-effectively. Delivering high capacity, ultra-low latency and ultra-fast deployment, Metnet is optimized for performance edge and multigigabit capacity. Metnet’s proven capability is trusted at the heart of some of the world’s most demanding and data-heavy networks, including a pre-5G network for Telefonica O2 in London, at the heart of the world’s largest financial centre.
