Fixed Wireless Overview

Overview

Nextera’s fixed wireless network delivers reliable, high-speed, low cost Internet access using wireless broadband technology. Standard bandwidth options are 1.5Mbps up to 6Mbps or Nextera can develop a custom solution to meet your business needs with bandwidth speeds up to 1Gbps. Nextera's wireless internet service can be bundled with our industry leading VoIP platform which includes a variety of voice services including: local, long distance, Hosted Voice, SIP Trunking or Flex (Dynamic) T-1. These converged voice and data services are dynamic which allows maximum usage of the bandwidth for data when voice isn't being utilized. These high-quality, flexible services provide businesses like yours the communication tools needed in today's fast paced, technology-driven environment. You also benefit from the fact that Nextera controls its entire wireless network and therefore isn't dependent on the phone company; this allows Nextera to deliver high-quality, symmetrical bandwidth with faster installations and greater savings over the traditional provider.

How Does Fixed Wireless Work?

Nextera delivers its converged services over a wholly owned last-mile network consisting of over 50 hub locations consisting of either Traditional or WiMax point to multi-point base stations. At each hub location Nextera operates a base station to broadcast and receive data through Access Points, which are typically located on top of tall buildings or towers to ensure maximum range. The signal is received by another radio, Subscriber Units (SUs), at the customer’s location. Each base station covers up to a five-mile radius, approximately 78 square miles of coverage.

For customers who require higher bandwidth or dedicated connection between two locations, Nextera deploys a point-to-point microwave service utilizing both the licensed and the license-exempt spectrum. Point-to-point service can reach up to 12 miles with clear line of sight.

Wireless Reliability

Not only is fixed-wireless a more efficient and affordable path to high-speed bandwidth, it's both secure and reliable. Nextera’s network is designed based on carrier class standards, including redundant paths within its core network connecting with multiple tier one internet providers ensuring service reliability. The wireless network uses signal modulation where the radios automatically choose the appropriate modulation to ensure optimal throughput during adverse conditions. Nextera backs up its service with a SLA (Service Level Agreement) that guarantees network availability, latency and packet loss.

Security

Customer security is an important issue for Nextera. Nextera uses a variety of authentication standards including end-to-end authentication using PKM-EAP (Privacy Key Management-Extensible Authentication Protocol) methodology which relies on the TLS standard of public key encryption. PKM-EAP defines how the Base Station and Subscriber Station can establish a shared secret that is used for authentication. In addition, all customer terminals associated with Nextera’s access points are registered and synchronized by both frequency and clock timing in order to transmit and receive data. Additionally, data is transmitted using encryption to add an extra layer of security.

Quality of Service (QoS)

Nextera’s network is designed with parameters that minimize bit error rate, latency, and jitter while maximizing data throughput. Nextera uses a variety of performance enhancing techniques including QoS profiles (multiple service flows), diff serv, VLANs, MAC scheme and link adaption to prioritize and establish different parameters based on traffic type to maximize the performance and user experience. Nextera customers may also add an additional layer of security with the implementation of a VPN.