Alvarion Signs Contract to Deploy First Mobile WiMAX Network in Taiwan

Alvarion to provide complete turn-key package of equipment and services valued at more than $12 million (USD) during the first half of 2009. Network to deliver true-mobile broadband and connectivity services for consumer electronics.

Alvarion announced today that is has signed a contract with Taiwanese provider VMAX Telecom to deploy the nation's first mobile WiMAX (802.16e) network beginning in the Taoyuan and Hsinchu counties.  The first phase of the network will be built over the next 6 months and will enable VMAX Telecom to provide wireless IP and mobile broadband services such as voice, data, video and gaming, and location based services to Northern Taiwan.  Alvarion will provide a complete host of services from planning, provisioning equipment and making the network ready for commercial service. 

VMAX Telecom was awarded one of 6 WiMAX license by the National Communications Commission of Taiwan in July 2007 .  VMAX Telecom is a joint venture between Tecom and Vibo Telecom.  Tecom's parent company is the Teco Group, a leading vendor of household appliances, including a previously owned subsidiary engaging in 2G services.  Vibo Telecom is a 3G operator backed up by parent company the Kinpo-Compal Group.  VMAX has also received financial backing from Intel Capital which has invested in over 30 WiMAX technology companies and service providers globally.

"VMAX Telecom strongly believes in WiMAX as the best way to provide our customers the most advanced mobile broadband services available," said Teddy Huang, CEO of VMAX Telecom.  "We are looking forward to being the first operator to commercially deploy Mobile WiMAX in Northern Taiwan.  Subscriber growth is expected to reach 500,000 in 5 years.  Alvarion is a key partner in realizing this vision and assisting us in shaping this early adopter market."

The new network will provide personal broadband services targeting both businesses and homes with multiple form factor devices such as USB dongles, IADs (integrated access devices), and WiMAX embedded laptops. 

WiMAX development in Taiwan has received strong government support though the M-Taiwan program - a government initiative to accelerate WiMAX ecosystem development and create a nation-wide broadband network to support mobile broadband services. 

VMAX will not be without competition from other mobile offerings.  In Taiwan, 3G services are available offering 384Kbps bandwidth and 3.5G services offer 1.8-3.6Mbps bandwidth, whereas WiMAX provides at least 2Mbps in bandwidth, Huang noted.

But to deliver true mobile applications such as video, consistent high bandwidth and QOS is necessary.  For example, IPTV running MPEG4 video compression requires 1-1.5Mbs performance with high QOS and low latency.  Voice-centric 3G and non-IP based networks are not designed to handle high-data traffic.

This development is significant since the mobile WiMAX network will be used for true mobile services such as gaming and video on the go, not simply fixed DSL or nomadic type services.  Given the high broadband penetration and fixed access already available in the country, a technology offering full mobility services was needed.

This deployment follows another large WiMAX win announced by Alvarion in late December.  Linkem Spa, Italy's leading wireless broadband service provider and nationwide WiMAX license holder, plans to deploy WiMAX across Italy using Alvarion's 4Motion solution for the 3.5 GHz frequency band.  Linkem holds WiMAX licenses in thirteen regions across Italy and plans to cover over 80% of the entire Italian population with high-speed broadband access and services by 2013. 
 

Tuesday, January 06, 2009 in Deployments  | Permalink |  Comments (0)