Altobridge

Altobridge
Private[1][2][3]
Industry Telecommunications
Headquarters Tralee, Ireland
Key people
 Mike Fitzgerald, CEO[4]
Richard Lord, CTO[5]
Products Altobridge lite-site[6]
Data-at-the-edge[7]
Number of employees
 132
Website www.altobridge.com

Altobridge was a privately held Irish technology company that developed wireless network solutions. Its products were designed to enable telecom operators to deliver low-cost GSM and 3G wireless broadband to unconnected rural and remote communities.[1] In 2011, the company received a "Technology Pioneer" accolade from the World Economic Forum,[8] and was named winner of the Wireless Category in the 2011 Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Awards.[1] On 4 June 2014 it was announced that the company was going into receivership and all jobs would most likely be lost.[9] In mid-August iDirect - a US based satellite equipment manufacturer purchased the software, IPR, trademarks and domain names from the receiver with the intention of building the technology into their satellite equipment.[10]

History

Altobridge was founded in Ireland in 2002 by Mike Fitzgerald, Guy Waugh and Bart Kane. Their goal was to use research and development to remove technical and commercial barriers that often deny remote communities from affordable mobile voice and mobile internet connectivity. In the early years, the company developed and commercially deployed the solutions behind the first commercial GSM service on board passenger aircraft, as well as the first commercial deployment of GSM connectivity on board deep-sea merchant maritime vessels.

In 2006, Altobridge combined two of its patented technologies, 'Split Architecture' and 'Local Connectivity,' into what it dubbed the Remote Community Solution. The solution enables a mobile network operator (MNO) to deliver affordable mobile communications to remote village and enterprise communities through efficient use of satellite backhaul and solar power.

In 2010, Altobridge acquired ADC's GSM base station portfolio.[2] In March 2011, Altobridge Limited announced a Series C funding round in which Intel Capital and the International Finance Corporation would invest US$12 million in the company.[3]

In September 2011, the World Economic Forum selected Altobridge as a 2012 technology pioneer. To be selected as a technology pioneer, a company must be involved in the development of a major technology and/or innovation and have the potential for long-term impact on business and society.[8]

Technology

Altobridge lite-site

The Altobridge lite-site is a 2G/3G satellite backhauled, solar powered BSS / Radio radio access network (RAN) solution. It allows mobile network operators to affordably deliver mobile voice and mobile broadband connectivity to remote schools, homes and enterprise communities in low and low-middle income nations. The lite-site is designed to serve subscriber communities of up to 100 to 1,500 people.[6] According to the company, the lite-site is also designed to be easily transportable and easily assembled on-site. The site installation and commissioning process takes two or less days to complete.[6]

The solution uses a sectioned antenna pole instead of traditional large lattice tower structures. A passively cooled outdoor base station eliminates the need for air-conditioned cabinets, which are typically expensive. It is designed to "optimize satellite backhaul and minimize power consumption," and is 2G/3G. It also is intended to lower long-term operating costs and necessary capital.[6]

The first Altobridge lite-site was commissioned on the Maxis network in Sarawak, Malaysia in 2007. By 2011 Altobridge lite-sites were deployed in Mongolia, Indonesia, Niger, Iraq and other nations.[1]

Altobridge Data-at-the-Edge

In March 2011, Altobridge announced Data-at-the-Edge, a mobile data optimisation solution for rural and urban markets. According to the company, the solution reduces mobile data backhaul requirements of a mobile network by 50%. This enables mobile network operators to make their existing mobile data network infrastructure more efficient.[7]

Data-at-the-Edge is intended to reduce backhaul costs for network operators and add value to the radio access network (RAN). The technology reduces redundant transmissions within the backhaul network by caching and predictively distributing content to the network edge. To maintain integrity within the network core, all caching is performed on a symmetrical basis; traffic that is reduced over the backhaul network is faithfully replicated into the core network.[7]

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Totty, Michael (17 October 2011). "And the Rest of the Winners Are...". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  2. 1 2 Barton, James (12 January 2010). "Upstart Altobridge acquires ADCS GSM base station a switching portfolio". Developing Telecoms. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Altobridge Drives Growth with US$12 million Funding from Intel Capital and IFC". RCR Wireless. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "Altobridge". Altobridge. 1 July 1997. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  5. ↑ chief-technical-officer/ "Richard Lord – Chief Technical Officer" Check |url= value (help). Altobridge. 10 April 1997. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 site™/ "Altobridge lite site" Check |url= value (help). Altobridge. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 "Altobridge Data at the Edge". Altobridge. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  8. 1 2 3 "World Economic Forum selects Altobridge as technology pioneer". Altobridge. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  9. ↑ http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/technology/fears-for-45-jobs-at-mobile-phone-technology-altobridge-1.1819421
  10. ↑ http://www.radiokerry.ie/news/former-ceo-of-altobridge-welcomes-buyout-of-company-following-receivership/
  11. ↑ "Red Herring Reveals Companies Selected for the 2005 Red Herring 100 Europe". Altobridge. 12 April 2005. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  12. ↑ "Altobridge-Martitime Security Solution honoured with Frost Sullivan Technology Innovation Award". Altobridge. 6 December 2006. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  13. ↑ "Altobridge Selected as finalist for 'most innovative new design concept' in Andrew Seybold Choice Awards 2008". Altobridge. 31 March 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  14. ↑ "Altobridge shortlisted in the 2009 GSMA Global Mobile Awards". Altobridge. 21 January 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  15. ↑ "Altobridge named as one of Ireland's 25 best-managed companies". Altobridge. 4 March 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  16. ↑ "Altobridge wins 'world class innovation award' for its remote community solution at the 2009 ICT Excellence Awards". Altobridge. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  17. 1 2 "Altobridge Remote Community Solution shortlisted for two prestigious industry awards". 13 October 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  18. ↑ "Altobridge CEO Mike Fitzgerald wins 'Entrepreneur of the Year'". Altobridge. 23 October 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  19. ↑ "Altobridge nominated as finalist in GSMA Mobile Innovation Grand Prix". 30 October 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  20. ↑ "Altobridge named as a best-managed company for 3rd consecutive year". Altobridge. Retrieved 6 December 2011.

External links

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