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Sloka Telecom unveils second-generation 5.8 GHz fixed wireless
The four-year old Bangalore manufacturer has big hopes for its launch of a diminutive WiMAX base station for fixed wireless.
Sloka Telecom announced the launch of its second-generation 5.8 GHz suite of
fixed WiMAX (IEEE 802.16-2004) products. The radio access network utilizes
the unlicensed frequency spectrum available in several countries allowing
wireless Internet service providers (WISPs) to deploy wireless broadband access
networks without having to obtain frequency licenses. The line-up
includes: base stations, subscriber stations, an Authentication Authorization
and Accounting (AAA) server and a Network Management System (NMS).
Designed to occupy little space, the Bangalore company claims its all-outdoor
base stations are among the smallest units in the world. Less weight and
fewer physical components to mount reduce the labor and installation costs
associated with system deployment. "We believe that small-to-medium WISPs
will contribute to bridging the digital divide in developing countries around
the world, says Sujai Karampuri, CEO and cofounder of Sloka Telecom.
"During our WiMAX product development, we focused on delivering lowest cost base
stations that would also be easy to deploy."
The new WiMAX system leverages the experience Sloka gained from its
first generation systems that operated in the 3.5 and 5.8 GHz frequency bands,
where it provided broadband wireless network equipment to customers in Canada
and France. The manufacturer claims its integrated design and low-cost
architecture has gained favor within India where the emerging market is
extremely price sensitive. Sloka partnered with Canada's Wavesat for WiMAX
chipsets on this new series.
Sloka Telecom has already deployed a 5.8 GHz WiMAX system to connect government
offices in France.
By Jeff Orr, ORR Technology, LLC