Israel's Digicel Selects ECI's Ethernet Solution for WiMAX Net

By Narayan Bhat

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

 Israel-based ECI, the global provider of access and transport networking infrastructure equipment, has announced that the Caribbean-based telecommunications company, Digicel, had chosen its optical and Ethernet solution to expand WiMAX broadband services.

 

In a statement, ECI has claimed that the deal demonstrates how ECI's momentum is growing in the converged optical and Ethernet market. Digicel is reportedly the first GSM mobile provider in the Caribbean to offer broadband wireless services via WiMAX to business and residential subscribers.

 

 With the support of ECI, Digicel will offer cost-effective fixed and mobile voice and data communications solutions, including VoIP, to corporate customers.

 

 In the Caribbean, and more specifically in Jamaica, previous broadband offerings relied on fixed lines. Most recently, Digicel purchased new XDM nodes to increase bandwidth to support the growing broadband wireless traffic.

 

 "Out of all the companies we evaluated, ECI has the most robust and innovative solution that meets our needs for deploying the backhaul required for the new WiMAX (News - Alert) network. Moreover, we have previously worked with ECI and were pleased with our past experiences with them." said Richard Brown, head of Network Development and Rollout of Digicel Jamaica.

 

"We are excited to support Digicel in the growth of their WiMax network. This contract truly demonstrates the benefits of our converged optical, Ethernet and SONET solution to maximize service potential and manage new expansions for a growing network like Digicel's," said Emanuel Nachum, ECI Telecom's vice president, America’s Marketing.