Alcatel and Globalcom Data Services Perform WiMAX Trial in the Middle East

Alcatel announced that it has been selected by Globalcom Data Services, a Lebanese Broadband Data Operator, to conduct the first IEEE 802.16e-2005 WiMAX trial in the Middle East. The trial will start in November 2006 and will help GDS to assess the capacity of WIMAX before commercial deployment in Lebanon.

The trial is operating in the 2.5 GHz frequency band and is based on Alcatel's Universal WiMAX IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard equipment. Alcatel will provide GDS with its Alcatel 9100 Evolium WiMAX end-to-end radio solution, including base stations, wireless access controller, operation and maintenance center as well as indoor customer premises equipment. Alcatel's solution will provide broadband wireless Internet access at a burst rate of up to 12 Mbps.

"GDS is planning to provide broadband access all over Lebanon by the end of 2007. In large cities, broadband access will be provided through DSL and WiMAX will act as a complement to DSL. Outside the large cities, WiMAX will be the primary access," commented Dr. Habib Torbey, President of GlobalCom Data Services. "We see a big potential for WiMAX technology in Lebanon in the near future and we are looking forward to extending our partnership with Alcatel, a strong and committed player in the field. We plan not only to be the first service provider to introduce WiMAX technology in Lebanon, but also in the entire Middle Eastern market".
Alcatel has begun shipping Universal WiMAX IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard equipment and is supporting a number of WiMAX IEEE 802.16e-2005 trials worldwide.

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