Navini Networks

Navini Networks, founded in January 2000 by Wu-Fu Chen and Guanghan Xu, established itself as a key player in the broadband wireless access market before its acquisition by Cisco Systems in October 2007 for approximately $330 million. Based in Richardson, Texas, the company specialized in developing internet access systems based on WiMAX wireless communication standards. The founders brought significant expertise to the venture; one of the founders, Dr. Guanghan Xu, was instrumental in writing the initial drafts for the TD-SCDMA standard, a technology related to the Ripwave system.

The company's business model focused on providing wireless internet access infrastructure to internet service providers (ISPs). These clients were typically targeting areas with limited access to traditional wired alternatives like DSL or cable. Navini's product suite offered a comprehensive solution, including base stations, customer premises equipment (CPE) or modems, and a network management system called the Element Management System (EMS). This Java-based EMS allowed for the management of the entire network infrastructure from a central server. By the time of its acquisition, Navini had secured 70 customers and had raised approximately $182 million over seven funding rounds from investors including Sequoia Capital and Lehman Brothers.

Navini's core product, the Ripwave system, distinguished itself by offering a non-line-of-sight wireless access solution. This was a significant advantage over popular Wi-Fi systems that required a clear path between transmitter and receiver. The company pioneered the use of "Smart Beamforming" and Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) antenna technologies. This combination, particularly the spot-beaming technique typically used in satellite communications, improved signal performance and range, allowing for reliable connections even when obstructions were present. This technology was designed to lower deployment and operational costs for service providers, especially in emerging countries looking to expand broadband penetration without the expense of fiber or copper infrastructure. The acquisition by Cisco was intended to extend Cisco's Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi-Mesh portfolios into the growing market for portable broadband services.

Keywords: WiMAX, broadband wireless, smart beamforming, MIMO antennas, network infrastructure, non-line-of-sight, telecommunications, internet service provider, base stations, customer premises equipment