Asia Express - Data Communications
WiMAX Development in Asia August 10-16
August 14, 2009
- US-headquartered wireless solution provider Harris Stratex Networks and Indian manufacturing, integrated management and infrastructure development company ICOMM have entered into a multi-year contract to supply, install, and maintain a 802.16e mobile WiMAX network for the state-run carrier BSNL, according to an August 11 press release by Harris Stratex. As per the terms of the contract, Harris Stratex will deliver its StarMAX WiMAX solution for BSNL's WiMAX network throughout the southern state of Kerala. ASN (Access Service Network) gateway, home agent, network management system, and authentication, authorization, and accounting services will also be provided by Harris Stratex. ICOMM, meanwhile, will be responsible for CPE (Customer Premises Equipment), subscriber unit, as well as deployment and project management services.

- US WiMAX carrier Clearwire and China's Huawei Technologies have signed a three-year equipment supply contract for Clearwire's nationwide WiMAX deployment project, Reuters reported on August 11. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, but it is estimated that overall Clearwire plans to invest US$3 billion in the nationwide network, which involves the installation of 20,000 base stations priced at US$150,000 each. Huawei is expected to supply key infrastructure equipment such as base station and related hardware and software. Other vendors selected for Clearwire's nationwide deployment project include Motorola, Samsung, Cisco Systems, Ciena, and DragonWave. Clearwire expects to expand its WiMAX network to 80 markets in the United States, covering a population of 120 million, by year-end 2010.