US : Hughes Network Systems and NMS Communications announced the successful completion of interoperability testing between the Hughes HX family of IP satellite broadband modems and NMS’ AccessGate™ Radio Access Network (RAN) backhaul optimization offerings. As a result, 2G and 3G cellular operators can now take advantage of optimized satellite backhaul solutions, which Hughes and NMS are offering together.

Inset above shows the HX System diagram and below the HX Gateway.

GSM/UMTS operators are increasingly using geostationary satellites for backhauling cellular traffic from remote cell sites to their switching centers, particularly in those locations where geography and/or distance challenge the viability of more traditional backhauling technologies, such as microwave or terrestrial leased lines. The Hughes and NMS optimized solutions marry the sophisticated bandwidth allocation techniques in the HX product platform with the patented deep packet inspection capabilities pioneered by NMS in its AccessGate family of RAN optimizers.

“NMS’ AccessGate interoperated very effectively with our HX satellite broadband platform, enabling further backhaul cost efficiencies that are so critical to wireless operators,” said David Jupin, vice president of International Applications Engineering at Hughes. “NMS has a solid reputation in the RAN backhaul optimization market, and we are pleased to be bringing this comprehensive solution to market with them.”

“Hughes is a pre-eminent provider of broadband satellite networks and services around the world. We’re pleased to be working with them to deliver a backhaul optimization solution with such a compelling value proposition for wireless network operators,” said Dan Daly, vice president for NMS’ Network Infrastructure group.