Imagine unveils WiMax broadband for SMEs

18 Jun 2010

Communications equipment giant Motorla has signed a deal with WiMax broadband provider Imagine to launch its USBw 200 mobile WiMax USB adapter for small businesses in Ireland.

Available from August, the USBw 200 can transmit switched diversity for better uploading performance and a network entry power boost for fast network entry at longer range.

This makes the USBw 200 ideal for the small office/home office (SoHo) and small to medium enterprise (SME) markets, as well as consumers who prefer mobile WiMAX over other wireless services.

“With the USBw 200, we can target a new segment of SoHo and SME customers, as well as consumers who prefer to use a WiMAX device in covered public areas,” said Sean Bolger, CEO of Imagine Communication Group.

“This is great news for both Irish consumers and businesses that have a real choice in terms of provisioning mobile broadband technologies, as well as for Ireland, which is among the leaders in embracing mobile WiMAX technologies.”

Since an initial agreement for Motorola to provide mobile WiMAX technology for Imagine’s customers in October 2009, WiMAX services have now been deployed across Ireland’s capital Dublin and a number of regional towns and rural areas with up to 30 new locations now going live each month. WiMAX is proving to be the leading alternative access network in Ireland.

This demonstrates both the evolution of the relationship and further strengthening of the business case for mobile WiMAX as a standalone technology and a complimentary service to 4G, says Bolger.

“This is a significant announcement for Motorola,” says Ali Amer, vice-president and general manager, Motorola Networks EMEA. “It demonstrates the breadth of our mobile WiMAX capabilities and underlines the important role that mobile WiMAX will play in the rollout of next-generation mobile broadband technologies.

“Operators such as Imagine are demonstrating real innovation when it comes to offering high-speed, affordable mobile broadband services, and we are delighted to be able to support them with our technology and products,” Amer said.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com