Primus Canada and Mipps to trial 3.5 GHz Mobile WiMAX on Alcatel-Lucent platform
May 28, 2007 by Jeff Orr
Alcatel-Lucent announced today that Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc., the largest alternative communications carrier in Canada, and Mipps Inc., a Canadian wireless operator that acquired 3.5 GHz licensed spectrum in most major cities across Canada, have selected Alcatel-Lucent’s Evolium WiMAX solution to support market trials of IEEE 802.16e-2005 WiMAX broadband wireless access service.
Mipps will deploy the Alcatel-Lucent 9100 Evolium WiMAX end-to-end radio solution, including base stations, Wireless Access Controller and Operation and Maintenance Center. Upon successful completion of the field trial, Primus Canada, through its strategic relationship with Mipps, will provide its subscribers with broadband access to high speed Internet and data transmissions with a guaranteed level of quality.
“Primus and Mipps were looking for an equipment supplier who could deliver a standards-based WiMAX IEEE 802.16e solution that would allow expansion of our broadband coverage area and offer ‘always-on’ broadband connectivity at low cost to our subscribers,” said Ted Chislett, president of Primus Canada.
“The Alcatel-Lucent 9100 Evolium WiMAX end-to-end radio solution will enable us to go to market quickly with an advanced technology platform using Mipps’ 3.5 GHz licensed spectrum.” said Joe Boutros, president of Mipps.
“As the global broadband leader, Alcatel-Lucent has the experience and expertise to introduce and evolve new technologies like WiMAX, giving service providers practical solutions to expand the reach and flexibility of broadband services available to their customers,” said Alex Giosa, president of Alcatel- Lucent Canada. “Primus and Mipps are global leaders in deploying standards- based WiMAX and we’re honoured to have been selected for our technology and implementation capabilities.”
Alcatel-Lucent’s Universal WiMAX solution integrates the most advanced radio technology available on the market today. The Alcatel-Lucent Evolium 9116 WiMAX base station is compact and easy-to-install, enabling easy site acquisition, fast rollout and flexible configuration. Built-in AAS (Advanced Antenna System) technologies including beamforming and later MIMO, enable higher throughputs, longer reach and sharply lowered capital expenditures.
Alcatel-Lucent claims more than 40 operators worldwide are deploying its WiMAX equipment.
Mobile WIMAX at 3.5 Ghz will be the one of the first of its kind. It will be interesting to know the actual performance in dense urban and urban environment, where non NLOS conditions may prevail.