Harris Stratex Networks, largest independent supplier of wireless transmission systems in the world has taken the wrapper off a new solution, WiMAX, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, a telecommunications technology that provides for the wireless transmission of data in a variety of ways, ranging from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular-type access.
The technology provides broadband speed without the requirement of cables and it is the next big thing for Africa looking to leapfrog its broadband access.
Mr. Bekele Tadesse, sales director, Harris Stratex Nigeria said that the company is well positioned to deliver world-class WiMAX broadband to telcos in the country’s emerging telecom sector.
Harris Stratex Nigeria is currently servicing over 80 per cent of the nation’s telecommunications industry and that is the assurance of reliability and dependability that comes with its WiMAX.
WiMAX is premised on the principle that technology architectures that follow defined and open standards have more chances of succeeding than those that are proprietary.
It has industry participation that allows competition in the development and manufacture of equipment that follows an open standard.
Open standards also allows mass production of electronic chips, devices, and other components. The result is much reduced cost of equipment, and affordable services to consumers. Industry participation also allows further improvement and enhancement on the features of a technology among others.
WiMAX is the big brother of Wi-Fi and some of the key features are broadband wireless Internet connectivity, mobility, reliability of connection, open standards architecture and it is supported by major and other industry manufacturers..
Others are the efficient use of network resources as WiMAX is built from the ground up, and is designed for an all-IP network.
According to Bekele, because WiMAX is a global open-based standard, various manufacturers around the world are developing electronic chips and new electronic devices that can operate in WiMAX environments.
"Consequently, this situation has drastically reduced cost of WiMAX equipment, and introduction of new WiMAX devices. WiMAX is developed to be fully compatible with Wi-Fi and TCP/IP standards suite. This ensures that WiMAX technology becomes a long-term solution, and not just a fad technology that becomes obsolete in the medium term. In addition to broadband mobile Internet access" he added.
There is a value-added service with WiMAX as Internet access allows the use of voiceover- IP and messaging applications such as Yahoo, MSN messenger, Skype, and
other similar applications.
He said that these applications allow free voice and video calls by just having a PC (or hand-held PC) and an Internet connection.