Celtro, a global supplier of switching solutions for the mobile backhaul network, has announced the commercial availability of Virtual Bonding, a technology which is said to enable mobile operators to cost-effectively scale backhaul capacity and peak rate by bonding different transport links into one virtual backhaul pipe. The announcement of Virtual Bonding's availability follows the successful completion of intensive trials at two Tier-1 European mobile operators, where it dramatically improved HSPA service delivery.
According to Celtro, one of the greatest challenges faced by operators in the deployment of HSPA services is the shortage of backhaul network bandwidth and capacity. In order to ensure the highest level of service, operators must be able to maximize the HSPA peak rate capacity available between cell sites and the RNC.
Celtro's new Virtual Bonding technology is claimed to make it possible to bond together different transport links over various infrastructure technologies into one virtual backhaul pipe to transmit HSPA traffic. With Virtual Bonding, any combination of existing links – like ADSL2+, SHDSL, traditional E1 and Ethernet – can be combined to form a single high-capacity pipe. This virtual pipe's peak-rate is equal to the accumulated peak-rates of the individual links.
With Virtual Bonding, operators can cost-effectively boost backhaul network capacity, reducing time-to-market for HSPA service delivery. Virtual Bonding's inherent load sharing further benefits operators with traffic protection against single-link degradation or failure.
"Operators are facing a steep increase in mobile data usage, and need to provide immediate capacity for HSPA deployments. Virtual Bonding provides mobile operators with a unique and innovative means to increase HSPA backhaul capacity at a minimal CapEx, by harnessing existing infrastructure for cellular traffic" said Ron Zor, CEO of Celtro. "This new technology demonstrates Celtro's continued leadership and commitment to developing leading-edge solutions designed to overcome backhaul network challenges and enables mobile operators to deliver the highest level of service to their subscribers," he continued.
Virtual Bonding is available as a part of Celtro's mobile backhaul switching solutions suite, which optimizes TDM, ATM, IP/MPLS mobile backhaul traffic. The first commercial deployments of Virtual Bonding are expected in April 2009. Celtro is an active participant in the establishment of the Bonding industry standard via leading standards organizations such as the IP/MPLS Forum and IETF, together with Tier-1 operators and other leading vendors.
Celtro will be offering a hands-on, in-booth demo of Virtual Bonding at the Mobile World Congress 2009