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By Kim Hanson
Originally Published: January 23rd, 2001
By: The National Post
Proposes to move data above ground
A Canadian company is bucking the fibre-optic trend in
telecommunications, suggesting it can transmit data using
laser technology, eliminating the need for expensive fibre
cable.
Like something out of a science fiction novel, Fsona
Communications Corp. of Richmond, B.C., says it has
developed technology that can move high-speed Internet data
above ground, over short hauls directly to the consumer.
That's because Fsona's technology transmits data over a beam
of light as opposed to fibre-optic cable underground or
under the sea. Researchers and scientists call this free
space optical networking, and the race has begun to see who
will be the first to launch commercial products based on
this capability.
"We want to bring this above ground," said Theresa
Carbonneau, Fsona's chief executive. "Our beams of light go
through free space, which can move at a much faster rate.
Essentially, we can set an [Internet] link up and provide a
person with service in a day."
The former British Telecom executive bought the exclusive
rights to Fsona's core technology from BT about three years
ago, and quickly assembled a team of Canadian and U.S.
scientists and technicians to further enhance the
technology.
Last year, the company quietly raised $40.5-million from a
number of Canadian venture capitalists.
Right now, fibre cable is the typical solution used to link
global Internet networks. Its development has fuelled the
growth of the Internet, but laying cable in the ground is an
expensive and lengthy process.
Fsona hopes its laser beam technology can be used as part of
a wider solution. The company says major telecommunications
and networking companies are currently testing its products
and if all goes as planned, Fsona will embark on a broad
marketing strategy. It plans to launch the first of its
products next month at an international wireless conference
in San Francisco.
The actual product for sale is a transceiver about the size
of a breadbox that Internet service providers would place on
top of their buildings. Laser beams would then be used to
connect to their many customers.
Still, there are challenges companies such as Fsona will
have to overcome, say industry analysts. One of the biggest
obstacles is making sure the technology works. Other
challenges include creating a high-speed link that will be
able to sustain all types of weather conditions.
"The technology may prove itself, but I found it somewhat
speculative," said a venture capitalist in the
telecommunications industry, who requested anonymity.
"A service provider would often pay double to have something
that worked all the time than to have something that could
be disrupted even for one day."
Industry observers estimate there are 10 firms in the world
developing alternative laser beam technologies, including
U.S.-based AirFibre and Astroterra. Optical wireless
technology emerged in the early 1960s and was used in
military and aerospace operations because of its covert
nature.
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