Posted: 24th Nov, 2005 By: MarkJ
Pipex has decided to extend its wireless broadband pilot after seeing "
encouraging initial results from the 802.16-2004 compliant WiMAX trial running in conjunction with Airspan Networks":
PIPEX Communications plc (AIM:PXC.L) is entering the next phase of development of its wireless broadband offering utilising its national 3.6-4.2GHz spectrum licence. The trial network has achieved stable service delivery and drive tests with Airspans EasyST self install modem have delivered non-line-of-sight connectivity in excess of 1km from the base station.
Understanding and demonstrating the real world performance of this new and evolving technology is important to establish its commercial potential. Software and capacity upgrades continue to be applied to the trial installation to increase both its range and throughput capacity for the remainder of the trial period. Speeds up to 8Mbps should be achievable by March 2006, enabling PIPEX to deliver innovative and competitive broadband services to the UK market.
PIPEX is also encouraged by significant market developments involving the WiMAX vendor community and wireless broadband operators globally.. Airspan have this week announced the commercial launch of their ASMAX product range, the worlds first fully nomadic 802.16-2004 WiMAX product line designed for indoor self-install CPEs. Major handset manufacturers such as Motorola and Samsung have product strategies based on the emerging 802.16e WiMAX standard and new operating models are beginning to appear such as Unwired in Sydney, Yozan in Tokyo and Clearwire in Florida.Pipex is expecting demand for Wi-Fi and
WiMAX based technology and services to increase even further in the future.