Business overview

About Nera Networks

Nera Networks is an independent player with strong positions in selected segments in the global microwave transmission market. Using proprietary technology, as well as 3rd party products and solutions competence, Nera Networks strives to be a center of excellence in the field of microwave transmission.

Nera Networks develops, assembles and markets a broad portfolio of point-to-point radio products, and has extensive systems and project management expertise. The company has a long history of delivering turn key solutions, meeting the complete transmission needs of customers by providing design and planning, 3rd party supplies, manufacturing, assembly and logistics; installation, handover and training; as well as after sales support and services. The company’s headquarters are in Bergen, Norway, with offices in more than 30 countries around the world and additional distributors in a number of other countries. The number of employees was 845 at year-end 2008.

Competitive advantages

Nera Networks is fully focused on wireless transmission solutions. As a transmission specialist, Nera Networks can respond to customers’ needs rapidly and effectively and be a flexible partner that assumes full responsibility for developing, delivering and maintaining transmission solutions to a variety of customer segments, including mobile and fixed operators, government and defense customers as well as ISPs and broadcast providers.

The basis for this ability and approach is cutting-edge transmission expertise built up over more than 60 years. A strong focus on research and development reflects high technological ambitions
and has a broad product platform second to none in the industry in terms of functionality and performance.

Nera Networks’ worldwide distribution network constitutes another advantage, ensuring the ability to serve customers on a global basis.

Business model

In keeping with the Eltek Group’s philosophy, Nera Networks’ business model and organizational structure combine centralization of key resources and functions with local market adaptation. Central resources, such as R&D, are located at the headquarters in Bergen, while as much of daily operations as possible are decentralized and carried out through subsidiaries and offices throughout the world.

The manufacturing of sub-components to Nera Networks’ proprietary microwave radio products takes place at highly specialized, high-quality contract manufacturers. The manufacturing of systems based on the newest generation of radios, the Evolution series, takes place in Slovakia. In June, the company’s  7,000 square meters production- and office facility in Liptovský Hrádok was officially opened. The supply chain is managed through a global logistics system that includes advanced tools for forecasting, planning, distribution and follow-up of manufacturing and sales.

Products and services

Nera Networks is a supplier of Point-to-Point (PtP) microwave radios and Point-to-MultiPoint (PtMP) radio systems, as well as related services and 3rd party products. Nera Networks primarily targets the market for licensed frequency band radios.

Related services offered include (but are not limited to) network design, planning & documentation services, implementation services (commissioning/installation), infrastructure services (e.g. civil work, site acquisition), operations & maintenance services, logistics & procurement, project management and training. Related 3rd party products can be towers, multiplexers, antennas and so forth.

Nera Network’s product portfolio covers any product need in Point-to-Point and Point-to-MultiPoint wireless transmission - PDH microwave radios, SDH access and Long Haul (multi-channel) microwave radios, PtMP last mile solutions including a WiMAX product line.

The MultiService Provisioning Platform product line and comprehensive Network Management Systems complete Nera Network’s product range.

Nera's microwave radio networks solutions have several advantages over traditional options. They are faster to plan and install than fiber optic cable. Radio networks have unparalleled rollout speed, and lower installation and lifetime costs. They are compact and scalable since they are easily reconfigured and simple to upgrade.

Nera Networks' Evolution series represents a state-of-the-art microwave radio technology and accounts for close to 90% of radios produced. Evolution is a software defined radio series covering the entire spectrum from traditional backbone telecom architecture to pure Ethernet/IP access networks.   Evolution systems are scalable, with a capacity of up to 1500 Mb/sec, and with integrated online network management. One hardware platform provides numerous benefits to both customers and Nera Networks, including effortless scalability (capacity increase as well as migration to IP), reduced investments and lower operating costs.

The Evolution Series offers telecom operators lower costs and increased flexibility. High growth in order entry and revenue in 2008 proved the competitiveness of the radio, and the Evolution Series also enables Nera Networks to address a larger portion of the market than the previous product generations did. Evolution was first launched in the high- to mid-capacity range in 2007, and Evolution Long-Haul was launched during 2008. In 2009, Nera Networks introduces Evolution Series Edge, which is tailor-made for the lower capacity IP/Voice market.