Alvarion, a provider of wireless broadband solutions and specialized mobile networks, announced the availability of primary voice services over WiMAX, enabled by the latest edition of BreezeMAX. As the first commercial WiMAX system to support V5.2 interfaces, coupled with its existing VoIP capabilities, BreezeMAX can interface directly with both legacy and next generation voice networks according to carrier needs.

The primary voice services of BreezeMAX have been tested with carriers in Africa and South America, and approved as interoperable with various vendors' Class 5 switches. As a result of these trials, two operators in Africa are deploying the BreezeMAX voice and data solution. In addition, operators in Latin America are evaluating the solution for deployment in urban areas to cover disserved areas.

Primary voice over WiMAX capability is of particular interest to those looking to provide voice services, along with broadband, to areas with little or no existing telecommunications infrastructure. Alvarion voice and broadband data WiMAX networks can be built quickly and without heavy investments in a full scale VoIP network as it can be deployed using the existing TDM infrastructure capacity of V5.2 legacy switches.

"Alternative and incumbent carriers can now use WiMAX to open their networks to major technology evolution in terms of applications," said Rudy Leser, Alvarion's corporate vice president of strategy and marketing. "By adopting WiMAX as their network strategy, carriers will enjoy 4G applications as well as significant capital and operating costs savings. We are seeing strong demand for this type of open infrastructure solution where new services can be made available while moving to services such as voice over IP."