Cooperativa de Teléfonos Automáticos Santa Cruz De La Sierra Limitada, or “COTAS,” a Bolivian telecommunications provider, has selected Airspan Networks’ advanced WiMAX solutions for a next-generation broadband network deployment across major cities in Bolivia.
Airspan Networks officials said that, operating on the 3.5 GHz spectrum, the network will deliver broadband data and other high-end IP applications to consumers using the company’s advanced WiMAX solution incorporating the WiMAX Forum Certified MicroMAX & HiperMAX platforms.
Kurt Klein, planning and engineering manager of COTAS, said that Airspan’s equipment is enabling the company to reach a broader range of customers and to provide them with improved connectivity and applications.
“We are especially happy to have equipment that can overcome some of the rugged terrain challenges we face in Bolivia,” Klein said. “HiperMAX is a robust and reliable solution that can reach both our urban as well as our rural customers.”
Officials said that the 4G network will cover the regions of Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba with HiperMAX base stations, while the MicroMAX base stations will be used for another five cities: Sucre, Tarija, Trinidad, Oruro and Potosí.
Bolivia has one of the lowest regional broadband penetration rates, only approximately 10.4% of the 9.6 million people, leaving a huge demand amongst consumers for high-speed connectivity.
“Airspan is proud to have been selected by COTAS for this project and to emerge as the vendor of choice from a pool of fierce competition,” Amit Ancikovsky, president of sales and products, Airspan, said. “We look forward to working with COTAS on this network and to our continued partnership as their network needs continue to grow.”
“We are hopeful that by bridging the digital divide, we can help improve the quality of life and the overall economic situation in Bolivia,” Klein said.
