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In the Fast Lane to High-Speed Connectivity
High-speed internet has become the backbone of today’s world and is transforming the way we work, play, and live, as well as how we connect with one another.
You can liken the internet to a massive highway system, one that runs from the urban sprawl of large cities, to smaller towns, communities and even remote areas where few people live. But unlike a normal highway, the internet stretches around the world. In reality, this highway can be divided into three individual, but connected, segments which we will explain in this article. From the last mile, to the middle mile, to backbone/long haul connectivity, each of these segments play an important role in the performance of your network.
Let’s talk about each of these telecommunication industry terms that are used to describe these different segments of network infrastructure.
Backbone / Long Haul Connectivity
Long haul communications are sophisticated devices and networks that globally connect cities and countries throughout the world and make up the backbone of the internet. They are often made up of diverse technologies that can include heavy-duty fiber cabling, satellite technology, microwave transmitters, wireless technologies, high-capacity routers, and multiplexers/demultiplexers.
Long haul connectivity delivers unparalleled speed, reliability, and capacity. These networks provide a crucial role in today’s connectivity, enabling seamless communication and data transfer between locations.
Middle Mile Connectivity
The term middle mile refers to the fiber connection linking to the internet backbone. This segment of network infrastructure connects the central office or data center to the last mile network service provider. While this segment does not provide direct service to the end user, it handles the transportation of large quantities of data between regional or central network hubs and brings it closer to the end-user. This allows an internet service provider to provide the last mile access which serves neighborhoods, homes and businesses.
Middle mile network infrastructure consists of high-capacity fiber-optic cables, microwave links, wired or wireless networks, radio towers and robust electronics equipment and components that can support the extremely high bandwidth and transport requirements.
Ultimately, the quality of the last mile end-user’s connection is dependent on high-speed, resilient middle mile networks to deliver the crucial connectivity needed to bring the benefits of high-speed broadband to everyone.
Last Mile Connectivity
Last mile infrastructure refers to the final segment of connectivity that connects the local internet service providers to multi-dwelling units, neighborhoods, individual homes, businesses or devices.
This segment of the internet is basically where the internet gets off the highway and heads up your driveway. It also is the segment with the most potential for connectivity problems because the connection is dependent on the quality of the signal that enters and exits at the location.
This connection can be made using certain technologies or combinations of technologies. These can include fiber-optic cable, 5G cellular connectivity, copper cable, point-to-point fixed wireless networks or satellite connections. This is determined by location factors, existing available infrastructure and the level of service quality needed.
Test and Measurement
As communication networks become more interdependent and technologically complex, it is crucial to adopt advanced test and measurement solutions to ensure network performance is compliant to the standards for speed, reliability, latency, and security. This helps to minimize downtime, prevent failures, identify security issues and enable seamless communications between different systems and platforms.
Putting It All Together
With the historic influx of broadband infrastructure funding, providers and procurement specialists are exploring ways to optimize funding to achieve the maximum benefit when purchasing the equipment and services needed to build future-ready networks and deliver high-speed connectivity to all.
From the internet backbone, to the interconnected middle and last mile segments, each is important to the success of your connection. When it comes to planning and deploying a communications network, the key is having an experienced partner within your reach.
Why Wesco?
Wesco is a global leader in electrical, communications, distribution, and supply chain services, offering a broad portfolio of best-in-class products, innovative solutions, end-to-end supply chain services, and industry-leading digital capabilities. By leveraging proven capabilities, expertise and innovation, Wesco can deliver the products, cutting-edge technologies and solutions to help operators increase performance, security and efficiency in all aspects of their network infrastructure.
What Does that Mean to You?
In today’s market, it is tough to have internal expertise in all areas. That’s where Wesco can help you. Wesco provides a total solution approach to the network connectivity that is essential in the world today. With years of experience in broadband deployments, supply chain logistics and project management, Wesco can help you solve the most complex infrastructure project challenges and quickly deploy future-ready communications networks.
Utilizing a holistic approach, Wesco can help you navigate the entire broadband journey with solutions to fit any stage of the project – from planning to completion, and ongoing testing and maintenance.
With the growing reliance on high-speed connectivity, robust network testing and monitoring is essential. Wesco offers an extensive range of next-generation network testing, monitoring and analytics solutions to support seamless and secure communications. With years of test and measurement equipment expertise, Wesco can partner with you to deliver best-in-class solutions that fit even your most complex testing requirements.
Partnering for your “Any Mile” Connectivity Success
From targeted solutions to full-scale infrastructure connectivity projects, by partnering with a turnkey provider like Wesco, you gain a single-point of accountability that delivers the expertise and proven experience to assist you in your entire network transformation and deliver the right products, services and solutions for your “Any Mile” network requirements.
- End-to-end network expertise
- Fiber, wireless, microwave, satellite, 5G and private wireless
- Assistance in sourcing and selection of BABA compliant products
- Deep understanding of government funding programs
- Technical expertise in a wide spectrum of cutting-edge technology and
infrastructure solutions
- Turnkey supply chain expertise and optimization
- Customizable distribution, logistical, and support services
- Complete and customizable project and inventory management services
- ISP products, solutions and support
- OSP products and solutions
By leveraging their expertise in broadband deployments, supply chain logistics, and project management, Wesco is committed to supporting providers with the “Any Mile” products, services and solutions needed to build resilient, high-capacity networks.
No matter where you are in your network journey, Wesco delivers a total solution approach to meet your connectivity needs of today and for the future.
