Ergon Energy Corp. Ltd., an electricity distribution company in Queensland, Australia, is deploying Ceragon Networks Ltd.’s advanced FibeAir® solutions in a high-capacity microwave/fiber hybrid network spanning large parts of Queensland. Equipment orders for the first two phases of the project are valued at more than $1 M in revenue. ATI Australia, one of Ceragon’s leading distributors in Australia, performed the design and microwave equipment supply for this project.

Ergon Energy’s new telecommunications network is based on a hybrid fiber/microwave architecture and supports a mix of SDH and IP data traffic. Ceragon’s FibeAir platforms, including FibeAir 3200T all-indoor solution, the FibeAir 1500R and FibeAir IP-10, will help the energy supplier enhance the capacity and functionality of the wireless portion of its network. Ceragon solutions will enable applications such as network protection switching, metering and intelligent monitoring, storage and disaster recovery and high-speed communication across multiple sites.

“Putting in place a high-performance communication infrastructure is an essential ingredient in our maintenance of a world-class power distribution network,” said Ergon Energy’s Group Manager Telecommunications, Andrew Deme.

Ira Palti, President and CEO of Ceragon, added, “We are very happy to be selected by a forward thinking company such as Ergon Energy. Utility companies all over the world are moving towards smart grid technology, which also requires an intelligent backhaul infrastructure. Wireless solutions, such as our high-capacity platforms, can be deployed more quickly and cost effectively than wireline alternatives. Once the network is in place, it can also be used to transport so-called traditional services such as high-speed internet, video, voice and more.”