NO POWER = NO INTERNET? Why your Business loses Internet connectivity during a power outage?

Has your business experienced an Internet outage during a power blackout? How can this happen even if you have a backup generator?

This problem is one that has been very common here in Puerto Rico, our market.  Puerto Rico was struck by two hurricanes in the past 6 months, most of the power grid was lost and it's still being reconstructed as of today. Power outages have become frequently common after the hurricane, because the local power grid is still very fragile. 

But the problem of losing Internet or Data connectivity during a power outage is one that is very common through all markets... even when customers have backup generators.

Why? 

All service providers rely on electricity to operate their networks; Fiber, Wireless, DSL, Cable all require power to distribute their services thought their networks.  Routers, Switches, Fiber OLT's, CMTS, Microwave, LTE Base Stations all depend on power to operate.  The way a network is distributed through a geographic area and how power backup systems are built for them contributes greatly on how a network withstands a power outage.  Let's take quick look at some cases:  

Fiber Networks: 

Fiber Optical Line Terminal (OLT) in a Data Room

Most fiber networks use two prevalent technology deployments, Active Fiber and GPON. Both technologies require Fiber Switches and/or Optical Line Terminals (OLT) to be distributed through the area they provide service.  Most providers use data-centers or data-rooms within their coverage area to establish POP's or Points of Presence where most of the customer fiber connections are grouped and connected to the backbone.  Is in this POP's that power backup systems become critical.  Fiber data equipment consume a reasonable amount of power, although most of the POPS have a battery backup system, they last for an average of 2-6 hours. A generator is a must on these locations. 

Cable TV and DSL/Copper based data networks:

DOCSIS Cabinet on a Pole

Both of these types of network are very similar on their layout and power needs. Cable TV based Internet uses a technology called DOCSIS and it requires that the data distribution equipment to be very close to the customer location.  A DOCSIS node usually serves an average of 500 customers and since it requires power, it is prone to power outages.  DOCSIS nodes are usually installed in street or pole cabinets, with limited space for long term backup options and/or  generators.  They usually last between 2-3 hours before shutting down.   

FTTN Cabinet - notice the limited space for batteries.

DSL/Copper networks operate similarly as in order to provide high speed internet and data services, most providers have moved in to a fiber to the node network (FTTN) layout.  FTTN means that a DSL provider puts a cabinet near its customers to be very close to them and provide higher speeds (distance affects directly the capacity and speeds of DSL network).  So very similar to the DOCSIS network, a FTTN network has cabinets within 2000 feet of its customers, serving between 500 and 1000 customer per cabinet.  They suffer from the same limitations as the DOCSIS networks:  almost no space for battery backups and no generators.  When power is gone, the FTTN network will soon follow. 

LTE Rooftop Cell Site 

Fixed Wireless / Microwave / LTE Networks

All three of these networks utilize wireless signals to reach their customers.  The equipment utilized between them varies by type of network or technology used but the concept is very similar.  Customers get their service via a radio enabled network that is usually located in rooftops or in towers.  These facilities can serve from hundreds to thousands customers, so less locations are needed when compared to a DOCSIS or FTTN network. On this locations or sites, the operators have an advantage because most of them have ample space to locate battery back up systems, generators and even solar power systems.   Here the service provider has more control on how long it wants it service to last during a power outage. It will mostly depend on how well a contingency plan is executed. 

Cell Site Generator

After hurricane Maria, some service providers have been working around the clock to ensure that their networks are resilient to power outages that are so common in Puerto Rico.

AeroNet Site with Solar Backup

Even before Hurricane Irma, AeroNet has been in the forefront of limiting its exposure to power outages.  By using extended battery systems, solar power systems and generators, we are able to withstand long power outages that affect your service. 

When choosing an Internet and Data service provider, take in consideration these facts, as they are directly associated with your business operation and continuity during a power outage event.

For more information on AeroNet, It's services, and how we could assist in your Business continuity and disaster recovery plans, call us at 787-273-4143 or please visit our website. 

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Gino Villarini: Twitter, Instagram

Gigabit1, Our bet on Fiber and Wireless technology to bring Ultra Fast Internet to the masses!

Since the creation of Broadband Internet, speeds of access have been an ongoing pursuit. Meeting customers' expectations require constant upgrades of the ISP (Internet Service Provider) infrastructure, only to be encountered by newer expectations from end users. It has been a digital "catch me if you can" deal since dialup modems were ringing sounds of the Information Superhighway!

Microwave Technology in Old San Juan

AeroNet has been at the forefront of providing broadband access to the business market in Puerto Rico for the last 16 years using the latest in fixed wireless technology. Using Wireless Access technology has many advantages, including speed of deployment, cost effectiveness and reliability, but also has its shortcomings one of them being limitation on capacity or speeds that it can provide.  That’s when Fiber Optic technology comes in to play, as it advantages are more capacity and longer life expectancy of its infrastructure. Current technology tops at 10Gbps in microwave links, whereas fiber technology currently stands at over 400 Gbps. 

In the last 5 years we have been investing in the creation and operation of our own fiber infrastructure in the San Juan Metro area.  What started as a small project to upgrade our backbone in Hato Rey has expanded into a complete network of fiber touching San Juan, Guaynabo, Bayamon and Carolina. 

Fiber Testing in Santurce, 2011

Gigabit1 is a project born out of the need to provide Ultra Fast and cost effective Internet to the Residential and Business market of the San Juan Metro area.  Watching what was happening around the world with projects similar to Google Fiber, we decided it was time to do the same here in Puerto Rico. 

Fiber Termination Box at Ciudadela Complex

Providing Ultra Fast Internet (more than 250 Mbps) is not a small feat, as it requires heavy investment in technology and infrastructure that supports such and future customer needs.  AeroNet is no stranger to tackling huge tasks or projects and being successful at them. So we did what we thought was the right direction to gear our efforts into.

In order to be able to provide such services in a cost effective and profitable way, we started to deploy Gigabit1 services in buildings, as they provide a sizable market to approach and the infrastructure cost needed to get them "lit" or activated can be spread among all possible customers.  Since we are not Google (or have their deep pockets) nor we like to finance our investments (we do it organically), we have grown the Gigabit1 footprint steadily since October 2015 from 1 building to over 90 as of March 2017.

Gigabit1 Buildings Map as of March 2017

Gigabit1 is a hybrid network that uses the best in both Microwave and Fiber technology.  It was designed like this since its inception, long before it made sense to other providers like Google Fiber! We continue to expand our footprint, with many more buildings being activated in 2017. Services currently start at $39.95 for residential buildings with up to 500 Mbps!  On the Business side, we offer up to 1Gbps Internet access along with many other value added services as VOIP, DATA and Managed IT. 

Speed Test of an actual Gigabit1 Customer 

2017 is full of new advancements as we start to provide 1000 Mbps and higher speeds, we also have started our pre-5G technology tests which would allow us to expand our services out of the building segment. Excitement and new possibilities awaits us in the future! #GoFaster

Be sure to follow AeroNet and Gigabit1 in Social Media so you can keep with the latest news and offers! 

AeroNet: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin

Gigabit1: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Also, you can contact me at any time with your questions!

Gino Villarini: Twitter, Instagram

How 5G will change everything without changing anything

5G is the newest buzzword in the telecom industry.   All press releases from the telecom industry seem to have the term 5G attached to it somewhere.  But what exactly is 5G and what new technology or applications it will bring? Let see;  You might think that 5G is what comes after 4G, the current mobile data network technology that provides mobile Internet to a vast number of users worldwide; and yes you are partly right.  

4G is a term developed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to identify and market the Data services using technology that provides mobile speeds up to 100 mbps. 

So 5G is the term coined to follow 4G with the latest mobile technology and service definitions proposed by the ITU.  But there’s a new kid on the block, the definition of 5G also includes fixed wireless service, or in simple terms Broadband service provided to homes and businesses using wireless technology.  

5G Tower would serve Mobile, Home and Business

Defining Fixed Wireless service under the 5G standard is a innovative move by the standard body and we should look at it in detail.  Recent developments in the industry have brought to light the high cost of deploying fiber. 

5 Years ago fiber was all the rage, Google Fiber being on the spearhead of all fiber related news.  Now 2017, most, if not all, Service Providers are either evaluating or testing some sort of wireless technology to provide gigabit connectivity to the home; they have realized that fiber works, but its EXPENSIVE and SLOW to deploy. Wireless in the other hand has demonstrated that it can be deployed quickly and cost effectively. 

Posible 5G Equipment

So this takes us back to our original premise, 5G will change everything without changing anything.  Why? Because before the big service providers started to even think about using wireless technology to reach the last mile, there has been a group of smaller service providers doing so all across the world.

Wireless Internet ServiceProviders or WISP have been connecting users since the early dawn of wireless data protocols, even before WIFI. What started as individuals hacking together pieces of equipment and antennas to serve a block of users have evolved into a solid industry that currently serve a large percent of connected users around the globe and continues to evolve with the same grit and passion that those early WISP trailblazers did in the last century.

5G is here and it will change the way we connect to the world, some aspects of it will be new others just an evolution of what’s already here, but certainly WISPs will be there to connect you all the way.

Ill be following this post with more details of 5G development including technical and business related information, please make sure to follow!