When people think of New York City, they imagine a hyper-connected metropolis, buzzing with business, technology and non-stop innovation. But what if I told you that broadband density in parts of NYC is lower than in Lagos, Nigeria?
That’s the reality for many areas of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens – often referred to as NYC’s “digital deserts.” While skyscrapers define the skyline, fiber-optic infrastructure below ground is surprisingly sparse. For most buildings, fiber installation is either impossible or prohibitively expensive, making wireless solutions the backbone of high-speed internet delivery.
In this high-demand, high-interference environment, Skywire Networks – one of the largest internet providers in New York – was searching for a microwave solution that could withstand the extreme congestion of the 24 GHz spectrum.
New York’s radio spectrum is one of the most congested in the world. The 24 GHz band, which Skywire Networks used in this case, is highly occupied, with massive interference from other wireless links. Over the years, they tested multiple vendors, hoping to find a microwave solution that was both robust and reliable in these tough conditions.
Enter RACOM’s RAy-24 GHz microwave link. Recommended by Alliance Corporation – one of the largest WISP suppliers in the U.S. and Canada – Skywire Networks put the RAy-24 to the test. The results were clear:
- 1 Gbps of reliable throughput, even in locations where other links struggled
- Superior performance in interference-heavy environments thanks to RAy’s advanced filtering and adaptive modulation
- Asymmetric channel capability, allowing Skywire to maximize spectrum use even when facing partial interference
One of the first major deployments connected Central Park to the Bronx and the RAy quickly became an integral part of Skywire’s growing NYC network.
RACOM has been working to penetrate the U.S. market since 2016, but 2022 marked a major breakthrough with the success of RAy in the 24 GHz, 18 GHz and 11 GHz bands. Skywire Networks’ adoption of RAy in one of the most demanding wireless environments on the planet is a testament to its reliability and performance.
And it’s not just NYC – RACOM, through Alliance Corporation, ISP Supplies and other partners, is now expanding its footprint across North America, bringing high-performance microwave solutions to WISPs and network operators nationwide. With the introduction of RAy3-80GHz our portfolio is the largest ever.
Skywire Networks has proven that with the right equipment, even the most radio-congested cities in the world can achieve reliable high-speed connectivity. With RAy-24 GHz links now a critical part of their infrastructure, the digital deserts of New York City are slowly being transformed into thriving hubs of connectivity.
One city, one network at a time – RACOM is redefining what’s possible in urban wireless broadband.
