 Aircel brings WiMAX to Chennai
Aircel Business Solutions (ABS), part of Aircel, has announced the launch of wireless Internet services through Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access - popularly known as the WiMAX technology, which enables 'last mile' connectivity using 'near line of site' (NLOS) wireless equipment. By doing so, ABS becomes the first company in India to launch WiMAX and one among the five global operators to achieve this feat.
"Initially, ABS aims to make Chennai 'wire free' using WiMAX technology enabling wireless Internet connectivity for SME, enterprise and residential use," said Ram Shinde, senior vice-president, Aircel Business Solutions, while announcing the launch.
"ABS is also positive about the commercial viability and acceptance of WiMAX across varied user profiles and geographies considering the substantial growth rate of Internet subscribers in recent times," he added.
As of now, ABS can provide pan-city coverage (more than 90 per cent) across commercial areas in Chennai and has already enabled wireless connectivity for SME and enterprise clients through WiMAX based on 802.16d standards at a speed range of 2 to 10 Mbps. This would help the end-user stay connected to the Internet and Intranet with high uptime. These WiMAX deployments use NLOS wherein the customer premises equipment (CPE) does not have to face the base station (BTS). The forthcoming 802.16e standard will be even capable of mobile Internet.
ABS has also deployed WiMAX Networks beyond Chennai with limited coverage. Many other prominent Indian cities such as Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Delhi, Kochi and Ahmedabad and would extend its pan-city coverage in a phased manner. ABS also plans to WiMAX another 26 cities in the near future.
"For the past three years, a dedicated team of ABS professionals have been doing rigorous research at our WiMAX Expertise Centre at Chennai - in terms of technological, commercial and operational feasibility - and arrived at a blue-print for the WiMAX launch," said Ram Shinde. "A systematic approach along with our commitment to deliverables and ability to constantly come up with cutting-edge solutions has enabled ABS to make an early entry into the WiMAX domain," he added.
With WiMAX, end-users can have Internet accessibility based on portable technologies at an affordable price. WiMAX is unaffected by environmental or climatic disturbances and provides relief to organisations from 'last mile' connectivity concerns both in the urban and rural areas with limited network infrastructure.
The backend systems and processes (OSS/BSS) of ABS are highly sophisticated with end-to-end manageability from sales prospecting to order management and Internet Protocol (IP) provisioning. All these systems are developed in-house and have the capability to accommodate future business requirements of ABS.
ABS is also identifying and deploying Wi-Fi 'hotspots' throughout Chennai city with indoor and outdoor points backhauled with WiMAX. Internet services at these 'hotspots' will be enabled through pre-paid cards integrated with payment gateways for online registration and subsequently activated using the 'Authentication, Authorisation & Accounting' (AAA) mechanism.
"With several state governments planning to create wireless cities to increase Internet penetration besides initiating e-governance projects, Aircel is keen to be part of the wireless revolution in India not only by offering wireless Internet access through WiMAX but also by providing a gamut of best-of-the-breed enterprise services on WiMAX platform with built-in service level agreements (SLAs)," added Ram
Shinde.
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) enables high speed wireless Internet services at an affordable price and is considered to be better than 3G technology. Forecasts suggest that the WiMAX subscriber base in India alone is likely to cross the 12-million mark by 2012.
Aircel Business Solutions, part of Aircel, is headquartered in Chennai and is an ISO 9000 certified company. ABS is a registered member of WiMAX forum - both in the Indian and international chapters. ABS product range includes a host of cutting-edge enterprise solutions such as Multi-Protocol Label Switching Virtual Private Networks (MPLS VPNs), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Managed Video Services on wireless platform including WiMAX.
R Rangaraj
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