Cambridge Broadband Networks’ VectaStar multipoint microwave equipment will be backhauling LTE data as a key element of O2’s trial 4G network in the UK. The superfast network, operating over 40 square kilometers in high traffic areas of Central London is designed to deliver mobile data speeds equivalent to the fastest fixed line connection.

The VectaStar multipoint microwave backhaul technology mirrors the network configuration found in the radio access network (the interface between cell tower and mobile handset), and allows O2 to backhaul mobile traffic from multiple cell towers to a single aggregation point. This fundamental change in backhaul network architecture is claimed to deliver significant advantages in terms of cost and efficiency, particularly for next generation mobile.

Graham Peel, CEO of Cambridge Broadband Networks said, “LTE networks offer enormous promise for mobile operators and the consumers they serve but the huge volumes of data traffic they are capable of generating, demand a new approach to backhaul. It is a challenge we designed our VectaStar solutions to meet – in addition to delivering the raw capacity requirement for LTE, the efficiency gains inherent in multipoint microwave can significantly reduce the cost per megabyte.”

O2’s London 4G trial will use the 2.6 GHz spectrum band and VectaStar will use the available 28 GHz band. During the trial O2 will provide participants with Samsung B3730 mobile broadband dongles, supporting speeds of up to 100 Mbps, and well as personal WiFi hotspot devices and handsets from a number of other vendors.