Alcatel-Lucent to Deploy the First WiMAX 802.16e Network in Croatia

Alcatel-Lucent has closed a deal with WiMAX Telecom to supply the first WiMAX 802.16e-2005 (Rev-e) network in Croatia. Deployment will begin in the area of Split and Osijek and will be followed by other regions. Expected to become fully operational in 2008, the network will operate in WiMAX Telecom's 3.5 GHz spectrum and will provide users with advanced multimedia services and a wide range of ad-supported content.

"It is exciting to see that our cooperation with WiMAX Telecom - having started with the initial deployment of a WiMAX network in 2005 - now leads to this next big project in Croatia," said Frederic Rose, President of Alcatel-Lucent's Europe, Asia and Africa activities. "Alcatel-Lucent is committed to boosting WiMAX deployments in South-East Europe, leveraging our regional support capabilities and local presence - particularly in terms of our ability to support mobile operators. In Croatia, for instance, Alcatel-Lucent is present with a dedicated affiliate handling and supporting major contracts in the country."

Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will supply a complete WiMAX solution, including about 400 base stations, wireless access controllers, operation and maintenance center, and customer premises equipment. Alcatel-Lucent's solution integrates the latest technologies, such as beam forming and MIMO. Beam forming is an advanced antenna technology that ensures that radio power is concentrated where the WiMAX terminals are, adjusting the beam automatically as the terminals move around the coverage area. This results in a reduced number of radio sites that are required in order to provide coverage, reduced interference and better indoor penetration of the radio signal. MIMO ( Multiple Input - Multiple Output) is also an advanced antenna technology that combines the radio signals transmitted and received on separate antennas. The technology strengthens radio communications, particularly in densely populated areas where the signal can be degraded by buildings and other physical obstacles.

Founded in 2004, WiMAX Telecom is an important broadband wireless access operator in Europe, holding 3.5 GHz frequency licenses in Austria, Croatia, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland.