Alvarion gets second north American rural WiMAX deal
To build national network in Canada for Barrett Xplore, with TD-LTE migration option
Published: 8 October, 2010
READ MORE: Canada | Alvarion | WiMAX
WiMAX vendor Alvarion has signed its first public contract since it announced recently that it would also support TD-LTE. The $75m deal, with Canada's rural broadband provider Barrett Xplore, is for a WiMAX network across the country, but includes the option of a future migration to TD-LTE.
This shows how, ironically enough, WiMAX is gaining new confidence from its bridges to LTE, because operators can keep their options open and avoid the risk of the carrier's nightmare, a technology lock-in. In the meantime, the WiMAX community aims to keep its users loyal by ensuring its platform remains ahead of the newer TDD system, and earlier this week Samsung carried out the first public demonstration of the upcoming WiMAX2.
In Canada, Barrett Xplore plans to deploy a national 4G network using Alvarion's 4Motion end-to-end system. The country, which has significant challenges in bringing broadband to its vast rural tracts, was an early adopter of WiMAX, with ventures such as the Bell-Rogers Inukshuk project. But this will be the first nationwide network plan, with the Israeli supplier providing devices and professional services as well as infrastructure.
The network will extend Barrett's rural broadband offerings into new service areas while allowing additional service options to existing customers, including VoIP.
"We are pleased to be working with Alvarion to expand our broadband offerings in large areas of the country. We plan to introduce the latest 4G services so our customers can enjoy the benefits of top quality broadband, at competitive prices" said John Maduri, CEO of Barrett. "Alvarion has a strong track record of deploying 4G networks around the globe and its solution provides the flexibility to evolve toward a TD-LTE network."
Alvarion has made a strong showing in north American efforts to expand rural high speed services. Last year it won a flagship $100m deal with US rural provider Open Range Communications.
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