14 DAY TRIAL // Alcatel-Lucent announced an agreement with Brasil Telecom, one of the biggest telephony operators in Brazil, to deploy the first commercial WiMAX networks using the 802.16e-2005 (Rev-e) standard in the cities of S?o Paulo, Curitiba and Porto Alegre.
"WiMAX will enable us to distribute state-of-the-art services, particularly in the rural and urban regions that today do not have access to many of the services those in more urban areas take for granted," said Mauro Fukuda, Brasil Telecom Director of Technology and Architecture.
As part of the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide Universal WiMAX solution, including base stations, wireless access controllers, backbone links, Ethernet MXC 9500 links, IP aggregation equipment, software and application platforms. The company will also be in charge of the network design and the provisioning of services for Brasil Telecom's network.
Alcatel-Lucent's Universal WiMAX solution is designed to enable rapid implementation of VoIP and broadband services such as mobile data, video streaming and virtual private network access. The solution integrates the latest technological innovations, 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, thus making it possible for a service provider to dramatically reduce the number of radio sites needed to provide coverage while reducing interferences and ensuring better indoor penetration of the radio signal. MIMO is also an Advanced Antenna Technology that combines the radio signals transmitted and received on separate antennas. The technique takes advantage of the multiple paths and reflections of a radio signal to strengthen radio communications, particularly in densely populated areas where signals can be degraded by buildings and other physical obstacles.
"This project underscores Alcatel-Lucent's commitment to WiMAX as a key element of its universal broadband access strategy, and expands the company's footprint in the region," said Olivier Picard, President of Alcatel-Lucent's Europe and South activities.