BelAir Weaves DOCSIS 3.0 Into Wi-Fi Access Point

BelAir Networks, whose cable operators customers include Cablevision Systems, has developed an 802.11n Wi-Fi access point that is integrated with DOCSIS 3.0 cable-modem technology to cut down installation time.

The BelAir100SN can be installed and integrated with a cable operator's network and back office in less than 15 minutes, according to the company. BelAir is demonstrating the new access point running live at the CableLabs Winter Conference Feb. 7-10 in Denver.

Cablevision Systems is using BelAir's Wi-Fi gear for a wireless service covering parts of the New York metro market. In the telco space, AT&T is BelAir's largest customer.

"We've worked with the leading cable operators to develop Wi-Fi products that deliver a great user experience while facilitating service provisioning and bundling, making deployment and operation easier, and reducing network commissioning and upgrade costs," BelAir Networks vice president of product marketing Dave Park said.

Investors in privately held BelAir, founded in 2001, include Comcast Interactive Capital, T-Mobile and venture-capital firm Trilogy Equity Partners. Competitors include Cisco Systems, Ruckus Wireless and Proxim Wireless.

The BelAir100SN access point, as with its other APs, provides features designed for service providers such as policy management to enable end-to-end quality of service and traffic management and central authentication enforced at the access point.