As digital transformation (DX) takes hold, companies, organizations, and even governments are racing to compete in an ever increasingly connected world. The leaders of the pack—whether we’re talking service providers, mobile operators, utilities, energy companies, public safety agencies, or smart cities—recognize the pressing need for increased operational efficiencies, more informed decision making, instantaneous data, and real-time analytics in order to win the DX race. And modernizing their operations, systems, and processes is only the start. Adopting millimeter wave and Ceragon’s IP-100E is what can get you to the finish line.
To create a well-oiled operational machine, organizations must first take a look ‘under the hood’ of their operations to understand how well (or not so well) their various departments, processes, and systems are currently working together.
Because as we all know, if a race car’s under-the-hood parts are not working together seamlessly, the car simply will not run, and it certainly will not take a spot in the winners’ circle.
Enterprises and organizations, much like these cars, cannot streamline their operations if they are not getting the full picture—under the hood and throughout the organization—of how their departments are currently working (or not working) together.
Throttling Up Your Digital Transformation With Network Capacity and Flexibility
Companies looking to take on digital transformation need data—BIG data—on their machines, their fleets, their people, and their systems. With a clearer digital picture of your assets, employees, and operations, you can make strategic moves from a business and operational efficiency standpoint.
And digital transformation is the key to starting that engine for your business.
But before you hit the gas on DX, you need a smart, fast, future-ready network in place that can handle all that interconnected data.
One network technology, mmWave, is driving to the front of the pack, becoming the solution of choice for mobile operators, service providers, and private network operators when it comes to high performance needs.
What’s Driving The Adoption Of Millimeter Wave And E-Band?
When ultra-high capacity, low latency connectivity is essential, one thing is certain—mmW technology has become a strong contender to the reigning connectivity champions: fiber and microwave.
In fact, according to Research and Markets, mmWave is the fastest growing technology segment, and is expected to take about 30% of the point-to-point market share, with projections to grow from $3 billion in 2024 to $7.6 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 20.1%. Why?
mmWave And E-Band Pushing To The Front Of The Pack: Why?
Our Chief Product Officer, Ulik Broida, is often heard saying, Ceragon’s "mmWave solution is the new microwave,” and for good reason. Our offering is stacked with benefits, such as:
- Ultra-high capacity & data rates, with our newest product IP-100E, delivering up to 40 Gbps
- Low latency
- Multiband options for enhanced reach and penetration
- Easy installation & lower total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to fiber
- Reduced OPEX due to minimal or NO spectrum licensing fees
- Future-proof scalability, and more...
IP-100E: Highly Engineered To Win
Like any highly engineered race car, careful and thoughtful planning typically results in better reliability, performance, and speed. Every year, F1 car designs are reengineered to boost performance…because even the smallest of tweaks can make all the difference.
Likewise, with the IP-100E, Ceragon is redefining industry standards by introducing the “single link in a box.” This innovative dual-carrier E-band radio combines two radios into a single unit, powered by Ceragon’s proprietary chip. This design delivers higher data rates, improved availability, and extended range across various configurations, achieving exceptional network capacity and performance.
In addition, IP-100E supports L1 link aggregation for enhanced data efficiency and lower TCO.
Rev Up Your Capacity: One-Click-Double-Capacity Option
Capacity. We know it is essential for mobile operators, service providers, and private networks as they all face relentless growth in data consumption driven by 5G services, video streaming, cloud computing, and emerging technologies like AR/VR and IoT.
The IP-100E delivers up to 40 Gbps capacity in a 4+0 configuration, and up to 29 Gbps in multiband configurations (limited only by the microwave available bandwidth), a critical element to supporting network densification, 5G cell site connectivity, and maintaining ultra-low latency for critical communications.
You can also enjoy the flexibility of scaling capacity gradually, and “pay-as-you-grow,” with the IP-100E’s one-click-double-capacity option. No need for costly network modernization upgrades and infrastructure replacements.
Getting More Bandwidth with Multiband
Multiband technology is a critical pillar of modern networking, enhancing capacity, availability, and reliability. By utilizing multiple frequency bands simultaneously, networks can address the surge in data traffic by combining two key assets: the high capacity of millimeter wave frequencies and the extensive reach of traditional microwave bands. This approach is essential as bandwidth limitations in microwave bands struggle to meet increasing capacity demands.
The versatility of multiband technology comes from the distinct advantages of different frequency ranges. Lower frequencies offer wide coverage and strong signal penetration, making them ideal for broader areas, while higher frequencies provide the capacity needed for dense urban settings. Together, this synergy allows network operators to deliver superior performance across diverse environments, from heavily populated cities to wide-open rural landscapes.
Layer 1 Carrier Aggregation: Engineered For Peak Performance
Layer 1 (L1) carrier aggregation has emerged as a transformative technology in microwave networks by excelling across multiple aspects of data transmission.
At its core, L1 carrier aggregation implements bit-level traffic distribution across available carriers, achieving significantly higher efficiency than conventional L2 LAG solutions.
The granular control offered by L1 aggregation enables network operators to maximize throughput while minimizing latency, resulting in more reliable and efficient data transmission. This sophisticated approach to traffic management represents a significant advancement in microwave network architecture, providing the foundation for next-generation communications infrastructure.
mmWave Going The Distance: Reliably Reaching Record Distances
Network operators often approach millimeter wave technology with caution—and we get it. High frequency mmWave signals have extremely narrow beamwidths, making them sensitive to movement that can disrupt transmission. For example, deploying mmWave in rural areas, where monopoles are common, raises concerns. The natural sway of monopoles can cause misalignment, requiring frequent recalibrations. It’s easy to see why some might think the high capacity of mmWave might not be worth the risks or costs. You might even ask, “Who would put E-band on monopoles anyway?”
Well, we're here to tell you, we do—and we’ve made it work flawlessly with the help of an advanced auto-alignment technology, which continuously monitors and adjusts the antenna to maintain precise alignment, countering disruptions caused by wind, sway, or the sunflower effect. This solution is already delivering outstanding results for a leading U.S. carrier. Keep an eye out for the case study...coming soon!
Likewise, the IP-100E redefines millimeter wave performance, achieving record distances with advanced features. It supports 3-foot antennas and can be combined with our antenna positioning stabilizer/auto-aligner to maintain stable, perfectly aligned E-band links, even in challenging conditions.
The IP-100E also features a dual-radio design, optimizing link planning to balance distance, availability, and capacity. For longer reach, operators can lower modulation to reduce capacity while increasing system gain. This allows for greater coverage with fewer links, cutting costs without sacrificing reliability.
Low Low TCO: The Cost-Efficient Engine Your Business Needs
IP-100E offers several TCO advantages. When it comes to operations, having two radios in a single unit makes it an ideal, scalable solution with a single-click upgrade. Additionally, network maintenance becomes more streamlined as technicians only need to service one unit instead of two, reducing operational expenses and downtime.
For installation, the dual radio configuration significantly reduces site rental costs, as only one mounting point and set of brackets is needed. It also minimizes installation time and labor costs as crews only need to align and install a single box. The single form factor requires less tower space compared to 2 units, and reduces wind load, potentially lowering structural requirements and associated costs.
Crossing The Finish Line
Ceragon’s E-band family of products, featuring our newest IP-100E, offers a compelling combination of high capacity, low total cost of ownership (TCO), and impressive scalability, making it an asset for your network. Its versatility shines across mobile 5G expansions, private networks, and ISP deployments, delivering the performance, reliability, and scalability demanded by today's networks. Advanced features like multiband and L1 aggregation position the IP-100E as a strategic investment for organizations building robust, future-ready networks.
For an interesting take on millimeter wave and our latest E-band technologies, watch this recent interview with our Chief Product Officer, Ulik Broida’s, introducing the IP-100E.
