What's hot in networking? We ask MIMP

What network technology do you specialise in?

MIMP specialises in designing, deploying and supporting microwave wireless networks. Our customers range from businesses that want to use high-capacity wireless links to interconnect premises throughout metro regions to long distance backhaul links for remote mining sites.

When did your company first get involved in this area?

MIMP has been around for 30 years, first with traditional cabled networking in its early days. We started getting involved with wireless networking about 20 years ago and microwave networks about 15 years ago. 

Which credentials do you have that apply to networking?

We started off with Cisco accreditation to look after the networks that our links connect to. Then we got a builders' licence because we were building so many microwave towers. Now we have accredited satellite engineers, radio frequency engineers and Cisco engineers. 

Who are your main distributors for networking technology?

Cisco provides us with networking devices for routing and switching. NEC and Aviat provide leading-edge licensed microwave equipment.

What cool or interesting recent developments in the networking space have you head of lately?

Intelligent cabling is a really interesting emerging area. This is where, for instance, you have just data cabling running to your lighting. It’s energy efficient at just 48 volts, and can actively monitor the number of people in the room and adjust lighting and air conditioning accordingly. Some can even act as wi-fi access points. We’re already setting this up in our MIMP Edge Lab over at Flinders University.

Can you tell us about a recent networking deployment you have done?

Supported by the Kangaroo Island Council, we recently set up a 100 megabit-per-second (MB/s) microwave wireless connection from Adelaide to Kingscote (one link 90km). This NEC microwave radio network can carry 300MB/s of data to meet expected demand and can be upgraded to 850MB/s in future. 

What is driving customers’ networking projects?

Cost and reliability are the two driving factors for our customers. Organisations are looking to replace expensive private IP managed services with their own infrastructure that delivers a much better service.

Networking is…?

With all the technologies on offer, networking is not enough by itself. It is trust that we can deliver what’s promised plus ongoing support