Many network backhaul solutions simply don’t have enough bandwidth to handle surging demand for mobile data and multimedia services.

This is forcing mobile operators, traditional wireline carriers and cable companies to re-visit options for expanding network capacity. And many are concluding that they need to start pushing content to the edges of the network.

LastMile Communications claims its recently launched LastMile WDirect 1000 Information Node does exactly that, using an old fashioned trick: caching. By caching and processing data at the edge of the network, superfluous traffic is killed while backhaul peaks and valleys are smoothed.

This bolsters company claims that Information Node “offers telcos, Internet service providers and wireless carriers a quick and cost effective way to upgrade existing network infrastructure to deliver rich media content to mobile devices, including video, games, music or podcasts.”

Developer’s Note:

LastMile CEO Antony Abell acknowledges that IBM’s jStart program was essential for the rapid development of software for both WDirect 1000 Information Node and its Harvester software for mobile devices. “I was very impressed with jStart and the world-wide team. The entire team was able to understand LastMile technology.”

jStart is IBM’s program for jump-starting emerging technologies, like Java, J2EE and Web services. Abell says that, thanks to jStart, “We will be able to provide consumers with what they really want, information that is location specific and user defined, in the blink of an eye.”

LastMile is also building a campus-wide test with Scotland’s University of Abertay Dundee. Fixed geographical locations, like that at Abertay Dundee, are thought to be ideal environments for LastMile’s node-based wireless system. Other suitable muni-wireless network settings include downtowns, office parks, universities and seaports.

LastMile says its nodes can be hung on any fixed point, like a wall, pole or bus shelter.