Wifi Revolution

India is about to receive its first certified WiMAX network. Aperto Networks, builder of WiMAX base stations and subscriber units, has announced that BSNL, the largest telecom service provider in India, has begun rolling out Aperto’s carrier-grade, WiMAX Forum Certified products.

Aperto produced a successful bid in response to a BSNL tender that was issued in late 2004. As a result, PacketMAX™ base stations and subscriber units have been deployed across six cities and four rural areas in India.

The WiMAX equipment has gone out to six initial cities, including Kolkata (in West Bengal), Bangalore (in Karnataka), Chennai (in Tamil Nadu), Ahmedabad (in Gujarat), Hyderabad (in Andhra Pradesh), and Pune (in Maharasta). The deployment, expected to cover four rural districts in the State of Haryana, is planned to be completed in January.

With the WiMAX network, BSNL will be able to offer enterprise customers a wide range of value-added, high bandwidth data communications services, such as MPLS, VPN, leased line and Internet access, as well as VoIP, telemedicine, e-education, e-governance, and e-commerce in remote areas.

BSNL is planning to deploy Aperto’s PacketMAX 5000 base stations, the industry’s highest density, highest capacity, and highest performing base station. Aperto’s PM 300 subscriber units will also be deployed by BSNL, along with Aperto’s WaveCenter EMS Pro, the element management system.

“BSNL is a leader in the world telecom landscape and its drive to deploy WiMAX across India is testament to its leadership. Aperto is delighted to have the opportunity to support BSNL’s plan in this strategic deployment,” said Mike Pratt, CEO for Aperto Networks in a statement on Friday.

Monica Paolini, president of Senza Fili Consulting, noted that over the years, BSNL has installed a high quality telecom network across all of India and it is now focusing on improving and expanding the network. Aperto’s state-of-the-art WiMAX equipment is expected to enhance BSNL’s network and will serve as a robust platform from which to introduce new telecom services to meet the increasing demand from their subscriber base.

Manish Gupta, vice president of marketing and alliances for Aperto Networks, contributed that the company looks forward to continuing its association with BSNL as it further strengthens the backbone of India’s information society and employs Aperto’s WiMAX gear to help bridge the rural-urban digital divide.

Technology and business infrastructure continues to boom throughout multiple providences in India, creating great demand for this WiMAX network. Once deployment is complete, this will better position India as a viable option for overseas operations for US and UK companies.

And, while such moves may still be apposed by certain consumers, the economics and logistics of such arrangements still make sense for the bottom line and this will continue to drive growth throughout India.

Want to learn more about WiMAX? Then be sure to check out TMCnet’s Whitepaper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers whitepapers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. The papers are authored by industry leaders, who, in turn, receive qualified sales leads from interested parties.

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Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMC and has also written for eastbiz.com. To see more of her articles, please visit Susan J. Campbell’s columnist page.

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