rural WiMAX

Alvarion Signs $100 Million Contract to Deploy Rural Broadband in US

admin on June 23, 2009

rural-broadband

Alvarion has signed its biggest contract ever, to supply WiMax wireless communication equipment for a project sponsored by the United States government. The project’s goal is to build a WiMax wireless network for 6 million residents in an area spanning 17 states and 546 rural communities.

Alvarion’s contract will be worth $100 million to $150 million. The company’s biggest deal up to now was for $56 million. The contract was signed with U.S. broadband wireless operator Open Range Communications, for equipment to be delivered over the next five years, and is expected to provide Alvarion with $20-$30 million each year.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Open Range as they make history building 4G broadband infrastructure in a large footprint to provide personalized broadband services to consumers in un-served and underserved parts of the country,” said Tzvika Friedman, president and CEO of Alvarion. “Open Range’s vision to connect rural America will stimulate local development for many rural communities across the US. Alvarion has a longstanding role enabling the delivery of broadband services to consumers here in the US and abroad. With our full portfolio of end-to-end, turnkey WiMAX solutions and extensive network deployment experience, we are enabling operators around the globe to deliver affordable broadband services to subscribers wherever they may reside.”

While Alvarion will be deploying its standard BreezeMax IEEE 802.16e gear for the deployment, it will have to tweak it specifically for the ATC frequencies’ unique characteristics. The WiMax component will be supplemented with Globalstar’s satellite broadband network. The spectrum is adjacent to the 2.5 GHz band over which Clearwire and other US operators are deploying their mobile WiMax networks, but because of its proximity to the unlicensed 2.4 GHz bands used for WiFi, Alvarion and other vendors must program special filters into their base station and customer premise equipment to avoid interference.

For Alvarion, the Open Range deal is the second it has landed funded by the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS). At CTIA Wireless, Alvarion announced a similar rural deployment with Main Street Broadband, which netted $34 million in RUS funding, but Open Range’s project is by far larger, garnering a $267-million loan from the program as well as $100 million in private funding. Friedman said both projects could potentially become much bigger if they secure broadband stimulus funding later this year.… Read the rest

Quantum Networks To offer 3.65 GHz WiMax to Rural Areas Nation-Wide

Ari Zoldan on June 15, 2009

rural-america Quantum Networks To Roll Out 3.65 GHz WiMax to Rural Operators Nation-Wide on the Heels of the Obama Broadband Technology Initiative. Quantum Networks, a turn-key WiMAX service provider, targets rural wireless operators by offering WiMAX services in the newly affordable 3.65GHz spectrum in the United States. Operators with shovel-ready WiMAX projects will be able to tap into the Obama Broadband Stimulus, to quickly and economically roll out WiMAX technology to their customer base.

Quantum Networks, LLC today announced its plan to roll out WiMAX solutions to rural Internet operators and service providers across the United States, utilizing the 3.65 GHz spectrum. The company is a leading WiMAX service supplier that focuses specifically on underserved regions. Quantum offers complete turnkey WiMAX solutions to rural areas in order to encourage the growth of WiMAX networks in the United States.

The newly available 3.65 GHz WiMAX spectrum allows for low-cost wireless deployments, and a low barrier of entry for network operators. Quantum enables its clients to obtain 3.65 GHz licenses and equipment easily, by adapting their business models to this newly available spectrum. The 3.65 GHz band will be one of the most popular frequencies in the U.S. for WiMAX deployments, as the licenses are practically free and are protected from interference. Entities must apply for the license with the FCC and pay a nominal fee. Once the license is granted, the licensee must register each site.

“The emergence of the 3.65 spectrum by regulators has opened up a new industry allowing rural operators to build their WiMAX model around the new spectrum,” says Mr. Eytan Wiener, COO of Quantum Networks, LLC. “Quantum is filling a very serious need in the marketplace allowing itself to be the leading provider to rural operators for WiMAX equipment and value added services in an effort to assist these operators in deploying their networks quickly, efficiently and economically.”

WiMAX has a bright future in America. President Obama’s Recovery Act has allocated $7.2 billion to ensure that every area of America has access to the latest form of broadband Internet and promotes the development of next-generation wireless technologies. Additionally, the WiMAX industry is expected to generate revenues of $15 billion globally by 2014 according to a May 2009 report by Juniper Research. WiMAX stands to benefit from the fact that governments want to spend on stimulus measures now, with few other wireless broadband … Read the rest

Alvarion and Mobitel Bring WiMAX to Rural Nigeria

admin on June 2, 2009

Alvarion Ltd. announced today that it was chosen by Mobitel, Sri Lanka’s national mobile services provider, to offer 802.16e WiMAX solutions to areas in Nigeria with little internet service. Mobitel will use Alvarion’s BreezeMAX solution in the 2.0 GHz, 2.2 GHz, and 2.3 GHz frequency bands to bring voice and high-bandwidth data services to thousands of businesses and consumers throughout the country by Q3 2009.

Alvarion’s BreezeMAX solution is based on the IEEE 802.16e standard, supports fixed, nomadic, and portable services, and is designed for frequencies in both licensed and license-exempt bands in a wide spectrum spanning from 2GHz to 6 GHz. According to the company’s corporate website, BreezeMAX and other interoperable solutions help Alvarion achieve its goal of “growing the WiMAX market.”

In the program’s first phase, Mobitel plans to work with Alvarion to deploy the WiMAX network starting in Nigeria’s cities of Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Warri, and Abuja. None of these cities contain a notable internet service program to match their respective prominence as huge centers of African culture, finance, and business. The addition of a WiMAX network to these cities will improve their existence as true metropolises.

The second phase of the program will expand to 18 other states in Nigeria, including Kano, Kaduna, Oyo, and Edo. 20,000 subscribers are expected to join the network in its initial launch, out of Nigeria’s population of about 150 million. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and the eighth most populous country in the world.

Johnson Salako, president of Mobitel, said “this is a great opportunity for Mobitel to bring broadband services to remote parts of the country.”

The trend in WiMAX technology to focus on remote areas with little Internet access has been a popular theme. As early as February 2005, BT Group’s general manager Chet Patel mentioned that BT would focus on setting up WiMAX networks in rural areas before urban areas in the UK. By January 2006, Clearwire offered WiMAX services in rural California and Texas. In September 2007, AT&T announced its intention to launch WiMAX services in rural areas across America. In October 2008, Redline’s 3.65 GHz WiMAX base stations were deployed in the Kansas back country. In March 2009, AlphaStar International and Computers & Telecomm (CTC) announced a new partnership to use government funds to develop high-speed WiMAX services in rural areas.

These are only a few examples of … Read the rest

Gartner Report : India to Have 6.9 Million WiMAX Users by 2011

admin on March 31, 2009

According to the predictions made by Gartner, a leading market research company, India will have 6.9 Million mobile and fixed WiMAX subscribers by the end of 2011, significantly higher from 35,200 in 2007.

As mobile frequencies will not be available in the short term, Gartner does not expect mobile WiMAX rollouts to be available at larger scales before 2009, at the earliest. Therefore, most WiMAX connections in the short and mid-term will be for nomadic or fixed wireless applications.

While the government policy proposes extensive rural coverage using WiMAX, Gartner believes that due to the limitations of the spectrum allocation, the only deployment for a sustained business case is to bring WiMAX broadband (point-to-point 802.16-2004) to rural centers in villages or schools, hospitals and so on. Mr. Naresh Singh, principal research analyst, said, “Indian will remain an important market for WiMAX technology, but the Indian government has failed to create enough enthusiasm among operators to take the technology across the country. Thus, the government should offer easy and affordable licenses to mobile carriers so that they get attracted towards the WiMAX market.[...] Overall, the long term potential of the Indian WiMAX market heavily relies on spectrum allocation, WiMAX ecosystem maturation, and the timeliness of WiMAX and 3G licenses.””

gartner-india-wimax-forcast

According to Gartner, the timeline and bandwidth of 3G and WiMAX licenses will heavily impact the future mobile broadband access market share in between 3G and WiMAX. The permission for mobility in the WiMAX license will also influence the future of WiMAX growth.… Read the rest

Wimax coming in Rural Areas

Ari Zoldan on March 31, 2009

rural-wimax Cutting-edge. Fast-paced. High-tech. No, these phrases are not describing a major metropolis. They are the terms that will be associated with the spacious grass fields and dusty dirt roads of rural America –with the help of WiMAX technology, that is.
Recent developments in the WiMAX field have shown a great move toward the small towns and suburbs all over the nation, providing high-speed internet access to areas which have never had such a big-city luxury. Much of the WiMAX technology’s efforts to spread to rural parts have been facilitated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the stimulus package proposed by President Obama, which allocates $7.2 billion for complete broadband and wireless Internet access.
On March 30, 2009, the most recent display of the WiMax move was publicized. AlphaStar International, a direct-to-home satellite broadcasting service, and Computers & TeleComm (CTC) announced a new partnership that will use government funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment stimulus package to develop high-speed WiMax services in rural areas. This new WiMax network will contain terrestrial WiMax transmitters and the AlphaStar Teleport satellite that will be used for backhaul.
Yes, it is possible for the wonders of WiMax to reach the hills and valleys yonder, a fact which exhibits the ubiquity of WiMax. Wherever, whenever, and however, WiMax can jump right in, adapt to the technological environment, and save the population from those oh-so-aggravating internet stalls and glitches. Besides for its apparent adaptability, WiMax is also a low-cost network which provides reliable services. Customer satisfaction increases as a result, thereby spreading its popularity around the globe.
WiMax is a powerful technology; it can improve the lives of rural country dwellers and have an international impact on the world as well. Its true capacity is only beginning poke at the surface of the modern age. Don’t sit back and watch the WiMax whirlwind storm by. Hop on.… Read the rest

Update: Rural WiMax Effort May Now Be a Reality

admin on March 30, 2009

With the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocating at least $7 billion to begin efforts to spread wireless broadband availability to underdeveloped regions of the United States, AlphaStar International and Computers & Tele-Comm (CTC) announced a new partnership to begin this process. Reports have shown the new partnership will use government funds from the stimulus package to develop high-speed WiMax services in rural areas.
The companies plan to have a network that consists of terrestrial WiMax transmitters and the AlphaStar Teleport satellite service that will be used for backhaul. The companies also plan to use network backhaul handled via satellite link allowing them use low-cost government-approved hardware for their ground network that will ensure reliable WiMax services. In turn, customers will use low-cost radios at their locations to deploy the wireless services, which will be used to stream high quality audio and video.

Projects such as these are only a small component to the entire stimulus effort to begin breathing life back into the nation’s economy. This localized WiMax expansion effort can lead to other useful innovations in the telecom industry that will ultimately advance and prepare the United States for the 21st century. By uniting the nation through cheaper and efficient wireless services, the WiMax industry is one step closer in not only bridging technological divides, but in becoming the technology of the future.

… Read the rest

Obama’s Stimulus Package May Aid Rural WiMax Effort

Ari Zoldan on March 3, 2009

After signing a historic $787 billion bill that will provide funds to a host of public work programs, President Obama’s stimulus package will also benefit initiatives for the expansion of broadband wireless technologies to rural areas of the United States. Adding to the uproar over the signing of the bill from Democrats and Republicans alike the proposed allocation of $7.2 billion for wireless technology improvements is also receiving objections from critics that are cynical that the bill will benefit the industry.
The demur most critics have for this bill stems from their lack of faith in the federal governmental agencies that will most likely be heading projects for rural WiMax. They contend that every home in a rural area will not necessarily seek wireless service, and that the cost of bringing these services to rural areas will be quite hefty.
At the same time, supporters of the spending legislation welcome any and all companies that are willing to expand wireless services to their area. WiMax service is cost effective and supporters, think the spending legislation is a beacon for revamping the technological scope of the entire country with WiMAX technology. Not only would the $7.2 billion help underdeveloped areas, but with the flailing economy, it would also create much-needed jobs and help boost industry stocks. With the market hitting below 6,800 for the first time since 1997, any positive activity would be welcomed.
It seems likely that the future of the WiMax industry in the U.S will be aided by generous spending of the Obama administration. With WiMax the best suited technology to help begin these efforts, companies like Quantum Networks will have an integral part in the expansion of WiMAX in the United States.