In the remote region of the Calakmul jungle in Mexico, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) faced the challenge of creating backbone routes in an environment where traditional infrastructure, such as towers and poles, deteriorates quickly due to harsh environmental conditions. Determined to overcome these difficulties, they chose to install cutting-edge equipment: the NetPoint NP6-DP-3FT and Force 4600c in a 33.2 km (20.6-mile) backhaul link.
Terrain Challenges
The terrain was highly unstable, with dense vegetation complicating the installation further. The equipment was mounted on two towers: one 80 meters (262 feet) and the other 60 meters (196 feet), without a direct line of sight between them.
Unexpected Achievements
Despite the complications, the NetPoint NP6 antennas miraculously connected, initially with a signal level of -84 dBm. After several alignment efforts, the signal improved to a range fluctuating between -66 dBm and -70 dBm, as predicted by the LinkPlanner simulation software.
Overcoming Obstacles
The most remarkable aspect of this case was that the connection not only overcame the obstruction of vegetation but also small mountains in the path. Despite these barriers, the system reached a performance of nearly 600 Mbps, demonstrating the equipment’s effectiveness in extreme conditions.
Promising Future
The ISP plans to increase the height of its towers to reach even greater potential, aiming for speeds of up to 2 Gbps. However, they acknowledge that the investment is substantial.
"I can recover part of the investment; I am ready to look for at least 100 new customers," stated the company’s representative.
This case highlights how advanced technology can overcome the difficulties of the most challenging environments, providing robust connectivity in remote areas.