Business
Nationwide WiMAX Network for Kenya
Kenya’s One Communications (OneCom) has contracted Airspan, a leading provider of WiMAX-based broadband services in the world, as its preferred technology partner in rolling out a nationwide WiMAX network. “Airspan was chosen for its comprehensive WiMAX product portfolio and its ability to provide true 16d to 16e seamless upgrade through simple software without changing the hardware and system configurations,” said OneCom CEO Geoffrey Shimanyula.
OneCom was incorporated in 2006, and its subsidiaries provide various data communication services in Nairobi, Kenya. Safaricom acquired a 51 percent stake in the company in August following implementation of Kenya’s unified licensing regime. (Read the full press release).
WiMAX is a wireless digital communications system, also known as IEEE 802.16, that is intended for wireless “metropolitan area networks”. WiMAX can provide broadband wireless access up to 50 km for fixed stations, and 5 - 15 km for mobile stations. In contrast, the WiFi wireless local area network standard is limited in most cases to only 30 - 100m.
WiMAX has the potential to do to broadband Internet access what cell phones have done to phone access. In the same way that many people have given up their “land lines” in favor of cell phones, WiMAX could replace cable and DSL services, providing universal Internet access just about anywhere you go. WiMAX will also be as painless as WiFi — turning your computer on will automatically connect you to the closest available WiMAX antenna. (Read more on how WiMAX works).
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What does he mean by 16d and 16e?
Nice pos btw.
[Reply to this comment.]
“802.16 is the name of the working group within the international industry body IEEE that works on development of globally standardized protocols for Wireless MAN or WiMAX. This body of professionals prepares the formal specifications for development of Broadband Wireless Access protocols. The letter next to 802.16 refers to the task group within the body that worked on the specifications. The currently used standard is IEEE 802.16-2004 (aka 802.16d). An amendment to this standard by task group E added support for mobile broadband and was approved in 2005. This is called IEEE 802.16e-2005 (802.16e or 16e for brevity). The standard sets the specifications for modulation, convergence, error-correction and quality-of-service parameters among others. Equipment based on this standard is expected to undergo certification in mid 2008 - allowing commercial deployment of certified networks in late 2008 to early 2009 time frame.”
Read more: http://www.apertonet.com/solutions/mobile_wimax_faq.html
[Reply to this comment.]
The quote from OneCom CEO Geoffrey Shimanyula…did he speak with you or was it reported elsewhere? Link?
I hope to god this is happening - It would be a boon to businesses that are saddled by high broadband costs. This is good news nonetheless.
[Reply to this comment.]
It was reported elsewhere. here is the link: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Airspan-Networks-Inc-NASDAQ-AIRN-905297.html
Its also up there on the article.
I do agree this is very good news for everyone. Thanks for the comment.
[Reply to this comment.]
Thank you for the link Mosh - A girl has macho mbaya and didn’t see it before
[Reply to this comment.]