Airspan Networks Inc. has introduced an economical "get started" WiMAX system in the 3.5GHz and 5.8GHz frequency bands that will allow an operator or enterprise to deploy a base station and WiMAX customer premise devices for the best price offered by any vendor in the WiMAX industry, according to an Airspan statement.
This system provides connectivity at up to 10 Mbps in a small, compact package, which can be delivered and installed within several weeks of order. Wi-Fi connectivity is also included in the system.
The company also announced that it has received orders for 802.16-compliant WiMAX products from more than 100 network operators since it announced general availability of its WiMAX product line in the third quarter of 2005.
Airspan's WiMAX systems are now installed or on order in more than 60 countries. Most WiMAX customers are using licensed frequencies in the 3.5GHz or 4.9GHz bands. With today's announcements of the introduction of Airspan's new 5.8GHz WiMAX base station product and the new starter-package, the company expects to attract a much broader range of customers, including operators and businesses that do not have extensive licensed spectrum holdings.
Eric Stonestrom, Airspan's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are extremely pleased with the rapid adoption of our industry-leading WiMAX broadband products by operators globally. In a very short period of time, we have installed WiMAX networks in a wide range of geographies, frequencies and network topographies. Our WiMAX revenues in the first half of 2006 constituted more than 39% of the total market for WiMAX equipment reported by Sky Light Research in its most recent report on the state of the Broadband Wireless Industry. No other supplier can demonstrate the range of base stations that address networks from the very small to the very large and deliver the goal of true "Wave 2" Mobile WiMAX interoperability. Airspan is the only vendor to offer an architecture that has integrated Wi-Fi into the WiMAX portfolio, converging two leading wireless standards today. Our self-installable EasyST CPE device and Software Defined Radio have also become benchmarks for design and flexibility within the industry."
