BelAir Networks

BelAir Networks, a Canadian company founded in 2001, established itself as a provider of carrier-grade Wi-Fi equipment before its acquisition by Ericsson. The company was co-founded by Bernard Herscovich, who served as President and CEO, and Stephen Rayment, the Chief Technology Officer. Herscovich brought extensive experience in the Wi-Fi industry, having led other ventures like KodaCloud and holding executive roles at companies such as Breezecom and Newbridge Networks. This background in wireless technology was fundamental to BelAir's focus.

The firm specialized in broadband wireless networking solutions, particularly for high-density environments known as "hot zones" and metropolitan deployments. Its business model centered on the design and sale of indoor and outdoor wireless systems to major service providers. Key clients included prominent telecommunications and cable companies like AT&T, Comcast, and Time Warner Cable, who utilized BelAir's technology to build out and enhance their public Wi-Fi networks. The company operated in the growing market for converged Wi-Fi and cellular services, addressing the increasing demand for mobile data offloading as smartphone and tablet usage surged.

BelAir Networks' product portfolio featured a range of wireless switch routers and access points designed for high performance and reliability. Products like the BelAir100 and BelAir200 series were built on a patented switched mesh architecture, enabling the creation of scalable wireless access and backhaul networks. These devices supported various spectrum bands, including Wi-Fi, 4.9 GHz for Public Safety, and even 4.4 GHz for military applications. A key differentiator was the BelAirOS, an operating system that provided advanced traffic management, security, and seamless mobility across the network. The company's technology was deployed in numerous high-profile locations worldwide, including in cities like New York and London, and for events at venues such as Dolphin Stadium and Lincoln Center. A significant milestone occurred in February 2012, when Ericsson announced its acquisition of BelAir Networks to strengthen its own mobile broadband offerings. The deal, which included BelAir's 120 employees, was finalized in April 2012, integrating the company's portfolio and expertise into Ericsson's global operations.

Keywords: carrier-grade Wi-Fi, wireless mesh networks, mobile broadband solutions, Wi-Fi offloading, public Wi-Fi hotspots, telecom network equipment, outdoor wireless systems, wireless backhaul, metropolitan Wi-Fi, wireless access points, public safety networks, mobile data offload, Ericsson acquisition, switched mesh architecture, Bernard Herscovich, Stephen Rayment, high-density Wi-Fi, wireless service providers, cable operator Wi-Fi, network infrastructure