Free Space Optics, also known as FSO, or Optical Wireless technology is increasingly used by service providers as a rapid-rollout, ‘instant infrastructure’ to meet massive growth in user numbers and the demands of new-generation high-bandwidth wireless applications. By using advanced wireless laser technology, modern FSO vendors offer point-to-point bandwidths exceeding 2.5Gbps over distances up to a few kilometers.

Enterprises are experiencing a rising tide of network traffic that is overwhelming the typical connections that bridge buildings. With enterprises standardizing on Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) network speeds, the paltry 1.54-megabit connections between most buildings are heavily restricting throughput.  Enterprises are turning to high-speed Optical Wireless bridging solutions for seamless building-to-building network connectivity. Leveraging Optical Wireless solutions combine the speed of fiber with the flexibility of wireless. Using beams of light, enterprises can achieve secure GbE speeds without the complications of leased or dedicated lines. Now Enterprises can transmit large quantities of data between multiple buildings at light speed.

Many modern service providers use fixed wireless technology to connect broadband data services to customers, with bandwidths similar to leased lines or ADSL - around 2Mbps per customer. Unlicensed ISM-band, licensed MMDS and LMDS technologies all play an essential part in these networks.

Typically used in urban areas, distances between service provider's POP (Point of Presence) sites are short, often under 2km to circumvent line-of-sight coverage limitations. FSO can be used to provide high-capacity point-to-point backbone links both to provide back-haul from the multipoint radio systems and also to connect key customer sites.