Ruckus Wireless SmartPoint technology

Ruckus Wireless has launched its SmartPoint technology enabling its ZoneFlex 7321-U access point (AP) to use licensed spectrum for backhaul instead of wireline facilities, improving the flexibility and ease of deployment of Wi-Fi service without waiting for a wireline facility to be deployed before turning up service.

SmartPoint is a suitable solution for locations that need a single access point such as coffee shops, petrol stations and convenience stores. It can also be used for disaster recovery and transportation applications. In the latter, cellular uplinks are used to get Wi-Fi traffic off of ferries, buses and trains. The technology is suitable for mobile network operators that have available spectrum (typically unpaired) and are looking to leverage that spectrum to rapidly roll out Wi-Fi services.

The ZoneFlex 7321-U is capable of running on either the 2.4 or 5 GHz bands with a click of a button. Performance is enhanced by up to 4 dB through Ruckus proprietary adaptive antenna technology called BeamFlex. This enables the AP to have greater range and performance over competing technologies.