ISP BWA Solutions for MDU/MTU Buildings

Multiple Dwelling Unit / Multiple Tenant Unit (MDU/MTU) buildings.

Introduction

Multiple Dwelling Unit / Multiple Tenant Unit (MDU/MTU) buildings are a major opportunity for ISPs deploying Internet access and value added services to residential and business customers. A large proportion of residences, and by far the majority of businesses are located in buildings with more than one tenant. MDU tenants often have common interests, which makes it easier to bundle packaged services for which they'll be likely to pay a premium. However, due to technical and administrative issues, reaching these customers with broadband has been and remains a challenge to many ISPs.

MDUs are typically residential apartment buildings, either rental or condominium. MTUs, on the other hand, are office buildings with more than one business tenant.

Broadband Wireless Access makes reaching an MDU or MTU with high-speed data services simple. A single wireless CPE can be shared amongst all subscribers in the building, reducing equipment cost and maintenance. Distributing the services to tenants is possible through a number of mechanisms, described below.

Distribution Using Existing Telephone Wiring

The simplest method of distributing voice and data services to end-users is by using an in-building voice and data transport solution that utilizes existing telephone wiring. Available from a number of vendors, such solutions present Ethernet and POTS interfaces at each residential or business unit, transporting data and analogue voice over the telephone wiring for distance of up to 500 meters, typically using a variant of xDSL technology. The wires are aggregated at a central unit, or DSLAM, which splits the traffic into POTS telephony – sent to the local exchange carrier CO over the legacy copper wiring – and data – which connects to the wireless access equipment, in our case, a single BWA CPE unit for the entire building.

Distribution Using Category 5 Wiring

Another method is to use Ethernet as the in-building transport mechanisms. This requires the installation of category 5 cabling from the roof of the building to each unit. Though sounding prohibitively expensive, this is sometimes as cost effective as other solutions, in buildings where customer penetration is high. In this solution, each customer is simply provided with an Ethernet connection.

Distribution Using Wireless LAN

Traffic may be distributed to apartments or offices in an MDU or MTU by deploying wireless LAN. In this application, Category 5 cabling need only be installed to the floor – not to every unit. Access points are distributed on the floors, in a manner ensuring coverage of all units in the building. Each subscriber is provided with a wireless PC Card or a stand alone Station Adaptor, and has access to up to 11 Mbits/sec of connectivity.

The access points are aggregated by an Ethernet switch, which connects to the Broadband Wireless Access CPE on the rooftop.

Microcell Deployment

A completely different method of addressing customers in MDUs or MTUs involves deploying very small cells and indoor-only CPEs at the customer premises. With this method microcells, sometimes known as picocells, are placed near the building to be served and “light up” one or two sides of the building, providing service to the residences that have windows on that side of the building. Users can install the CPE units themselves, by placing them near the window or using a small patch antenna that can be placed on the window using a suction cup. Occasionally, more than one picocell is required to serve a single building, as not all units have access to the sides of the building covered by any one cell.

MDU/MTU Distribution Considerations

In all of these MDU/MTU solutions, it is vital to ensure separation of users traffic. This is achieved by assigning separate 802.1Q VLANs to each user, or by using data switches with an option to send traffic only to a specific downlink port – towards the network core. It is also critical to ensure that high priority traffic gets high priority in the building and the remainder of the network. This is achieved by using 802.1p and IP ToS priorities.

Summary

The MDU/MTU market represents an opportunity for ISPs deploying Internet access services. MDU/MTUs offer the unique ability to leverage marketing efficiencies and can provide for rapid ROI. Broadband Wireless Access is a quick and affordable method of reaching these buildings. The challenge of distributing broadband throughout the building is addressed by a number of alternative technologies and solutions.