Asia Express - Data Communications
WiMAX Development in Asia October 12-18
October 16, 2009
Chinese telecom solution provider ZTE has expanded its reach in the global WiMAX market by establishing its presence in Spain and Jamaica, according to reports by Reuters, Associated Press, and The Kingston Chronicle. Along with Alvarion of Israel, ZTE has been selected by Clearwire International for the supply of network infrastructure for Clearwire's WiMAX project in Spain in 2010, Reuters reported on October 6. While Alvarion is expected to supply WiMAX equipment for Clearwire in Malaga, ZTE will support Clearwire in the WiMAX launch in Seville. Clearwire plans to roll out its WiMAX service in Spain under the brand name of CLEAR, according to Associated Press.

Meanwhile in Jamaica, Digicel Jamaica, which appointed ZTE as one of its WiMAX strategic partners, has signed a deal to use ZTE's full turn-key solution in the first phase of its 2.5GHz mobile WiMAX network deployment, The Kingston Chronicle reported on September 24. As per the deal, ZTE will be put in charge of installing a nationwide WiMAX network across 14 parishes of Jamaica. The project is part of Digicel's US$22.7 million WiMAX investment, and the network deployed by ZTE is projected to cover 60% Jamaican population upon launch. Services to be provided by ZTE to this end comprise WiMAX network planning and design; equipment supply, including CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) such as modems and USBs; engineering installation; and WiMAX network optimization.