TORONTO and HAMILTON – Primus Canada and fixed wireless spectrum owner Mipps Inc. announced today they are jointly conducting WiMAX IEEE 802.16e-2005 (3.5 GHz) trials in Hamilton.
Using Alcatel-Lucent’s new WiMAX equipment, the trial is free for Hamilton residents and small businesses, and is expected to continue into the mid-summer, providing participants with fixed/portable, wireless, high speed Internet access almost anywhere within the city of Hamilton.
The IEEE 802.16e-2005 WiMAX standard is a more advanced successor to IEEE 802d.16-2004 (called "Static WiMAX"), "offering superior performance, functionality and flexibility. Users can enjoy uninterrupted internet applications such as browsing and video streaming, as they move throughout most of the city," says the release.
Mipps will deploy the Alcatel-Lucent 9100 Evolium WiMAX end-to-end radio solution, including base stations, wireless access controller and operation and maintenance center. Upon successful completion of the field trial, Primus Canada, through its strategic relationship with Mipps, "will provide its subscribers with broadband access to high speed Internet and data transmissions with a guaranteed level of quality," says a release from Alcatel-Lucent.
Mipps acquired 3.5 GHz licensed spectrum covering the Hamilton area as well as similar spectrum in most major cities across Canada and is building the WiMAX network infrastructure in Hamilton. All three companies will collaborate and share knowledge and expertise gained through the trial.
“Hamilton, being a key market for Primus, represents an ideal test-market for this initiative, which could lead to a roll-out in other centres across Canada in the coming months," said Ted Chislett, president of Primus Canada, in the press release.
“As a wireless network operator, and given the potential for WiMAX to become a widely embraced technology in Canada, we are pleased to evaluate and explore the WiMAX IEEE 802.16e capabilities with a leading supplier such as Alcatel-Lucent, and to exploit the possibilities of new services with Primus Canada’s innovative offerings,’’ added Joe Boutros, president of Mipps.
