Telecom Namibia, the country’s incumbent telecommunications provider, today announced that it had commenced with the commercial deployment of the World Wide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) equipment from Alvarion Ltd, the world’s leading provider of wireless network solutions.
“This is a new broadband access technology which is in line with Telecom Namibia’s strategic plan for a future Next Generation Network and services which require IP based technology,” said Milan Daniz, acting Senior Manager for Network Planning & Implementation at Telecom Namibia.
The deployment follows the signing of a multi-million worth contract between Telecom Namibia and Alvarion Ltd in late December 2006. The deal with Alvarion Ltd, together with their local subcontractor Rampoint Communication CC, covers WiMAX gear, installation, maintenance, and product support.
The WiMAX product and the vendor were selected in an extensive tender process during the second half of 2006. During November 2006 the first WiMAX station was commissioned and the first trial customers selected and connected.
Services via WiMAX technology are scheduled for launch in Windhoek during March 2007, with plans to expand the technology to other towns and settlement areas in Namibia thereafter.
Telecom Namibia will be using WiMAX access technology for the provision of data (Internet access) and voice services to both business and residential customers.
Mr. Daniz said WiMAX, as a wireless access technology, enables Telecom Namibia to replace outdated technologies not able to support broadband access and to complement its ADLS broadband offering in places where there is no copper infrastructures.
Telecom Namibia plans to gradually migrate services accessed via its current Innowave/Alvarion MultiGain Wireless (MGW) circuit switched technology to the new WiMAX. “Our existing customers will not be affected adversely during the migration from MGW to WiMAX,” Mr. Daniz said.