WISPs face support and migration challenges after Cambium's collapse
Cambium Networks' financial collapse has left wireless internet service providers with a large installed base of its radios without clear support. Airspan acquired several product lines including PMP 450, but ePMP remains in limbo. Operators need credible plans for spares and migration.
The PMP 450 platform traces its lineage to Motorola's Canopy technology, which Cambium inherited in 2011. Airspan's acquisition keeps hardware, planning tools, and management software together for this premium line, which serves utilities and defense alongside WISPs. The ePMP line, built on commodity Wi-Fi chipsets and popular with cost-sensitive operators, remains without a buyer.
The two product families use incompatible air interfaces, though both rely on cnMaestro for management. Airspan's stated focus on non-ISP markets explains its selective purchase. Left behind are ePMP subscriber radios, PTP 820 licensed microwave backhaul, and PTP 550 unlicensed backhaul units, leaving operators of those systems without a clear support path.
Rural and smaller WISPs that standardized on ePMP may face service degradation as spare parts dwindle and support vanishes, potentially affecting broadband access in underserved communities. Migration to alternative platforms could carry significant costs that smaller operators struggle to absorb, and end customers may experience slower repairs or reduced connectivity during the transition period.