Aperto WMAN deals in France and Ireland

Aperto Networks has picked up two major new contracts for implementation of Wireless Broadband in Europe using its Packetwave system which are committed to move towards the emerging WiMAX IEEE802.16 standard for wireless metropolitan area networks.

Aperto is one of Intel’s approved partners and was an early backer of WiMAX and it is this potential leading edge that has meant that France Telecom and Leap Broadband in Ireland, have chosen Packetwave, this week.

France Telecom R&D has just built a pilot broadband wireless network in France, in 3.5 GHz licensed frequency, in Brittany, adding to the trials and overseas rollouts that France Telecom has elsewhere with Aperto equipment.

“This pilot in Brittany proves that Aperto Networks' systems have the capabilities including range and robustness required for deployment of broadband access,” said Yann Rochefort, project manager for wireless IP at France Telecom R&D.

“We give PacketWave high marks for QoS, for spectral efficiency and the richness of its IP functionality. We expect this pilot to prove the benefits and efficiency of next generation broadband wireless access systems. And because of their leadership in IEEE 802.16 and the WiMAX Forum, we expect to benefit from Aperto's leading-edge influence in the implementation of the standard.”

The system is currently being used for Wi-Fi backhaul, for highspeed Internet access, and direct broadband access to customers. It will then expand to provide broadband access for schools, local government, small and medium enterprises in this western region of France.

The Leap broadband contract is down to the fact that it has won new licenses in Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Cork, which, when installed, will put Leap within reach of 80 per cent of the Irish population for wireless broadband services.

Again it is using Packetwave and again in 3.5 GHz and again it is a repeat customer for Aperto, having already been granted a license by the Irish Commission for Communications Regulation in Dublin. Leap now has four additional cities, Limerick, Galway, Cork and Waterford and will expand its Dublin service offerings and add residential service before the end of 2004. Initially, Leap had offered unlicensed services in the 5 GHz band.

Copyright © 2004, Faultline

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