Quad Cities to enjoy one of the first Mobile WiMAX(TM) networks in the United States
RICHARDSON, Texas, July 31 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Solo Direct Connect today announced it has selected Navini to provide Mobile WiMAX to over 350,000 residents in the Quad Cities area. Solo plans to launch commercial service of wireless broadband service, using the 802.16e Mobile WiMAX(TM) solution with Smart WiMAX from Navini Networks(1), the most experienced provider of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) portable wireless broadband network equipment in the world.
The new service launch will cover the greater Quad Cities Area including Davenport and Bettendorf, IA as well Moline/East Moline and Rock Island, IL with plans to expand into several other markets in 2008. Deployment will be begin in August and completed by the end of September.
"We selected Navini due to their advanced Mobile WiMAX product with Beamforming and because they have so much experience deploying these kinds of networks." Said Andy Tyrrell, Solo Connect's Founder and President. "Navini's highly developed ecosystem will provide VoIP and other key applications to residents."
"We expect substantial growth as people experience the characteristics of Mobile WiMAX," said Victor Panegos, Solo's CMO. "We are excited about getting the communities we serve out of dial-up and experiencing the freedom that personal broadband brings. The speed, reliability, security, mobility and affordability we will offer subscribers is unprecedented. We are already seeing enormous demand from our existing dial-up and DSL customers. Knowing that residents of the Quad Cities will be leading the charge to a wireless future makes me smile."
"Navini's Smart WiMAX solution will allow Solo to get to market quickly and acquire subscribers," said Roger Dorf, Navini's president and CEO. "Solo Direct Connect is in the envious position of being the only operator in the area that will have the power of Smart WiMAX to deliver wide range of coverage, both indoors and outdoors, and with easy cell phone-like activation. Subscribers will quickly get up and running with broadband speeds and the freedom of wireless -- anytime, anywhere in the coverage area.
"Navini has been a terrific partner for us, providing us with the knowledge and guidance to quickly deploy the latest technology. We had looked at other vendors but they just didn't have the experience," added Gary Henrickson, Solo's VP, Technology. "Navini is the only one with Smart WiMAX."
Smart WiMAX delivers the power required for indoor and outdoor wireless broadband coverage, unlike most other solutions. The unique and commercially proven combination of Mobile WiMAX with Smart Beamforming and Beamformed MIMO delivers personal broadband.
Solo already provides business customers with wireless broadband in the 5.8 GHz spectrum and will provide mobile WiMAX service in licensed 2.5 GHz spectrum. Solo entered into a long-term lease with Eastern Iowa Community College District and will provide broadband services to faculty, staff and students as part of its agreement with the college.
About Solo Direct Connect
With an array of Business and Residential data, voice and web services, Solo Direct Connect is a regional leader in providing Fast, Reliable, Secure, and Affordable wireless data and voice networks.
Solo's expertise in the wireless broadband field provides the highest quality services and support to residential and commercial customers alike and with the addition of Dish Network(TM) and Direct TV(TM) to it's service portfolio, Solo offers it's subscribers a wireless triple play that provides customers with more choices at a lower cost.
http://www.soloconnect.com
About Navini Networks:
With the largest commercial deployments in the world, over 70 commercial networks in 6 continents and strategic partnerships with industry leaders, Navini Networks is the leader in providing portable, plug-n-play broadband wireless access solutions worldwide.
Navini is the only company that has the patented smart beamforming technology, enabling personal broadband for the mass market today, with a seamless software upgrade to Mobile WiMAX(TM). Only Navini has the Smart WiMAX solution -- Mobile WiMAX with Smart Beamforming, and beamformed MIMO, providing operators with the power to deliver on the promise of personal broadband, both indoors and outdoors.
Navini's Ripwave(R) MX solution offers a portable, zero-install, non-line-of-sight (NLOS) product line consists of customer modems, base stations, and element management systems (EMS) that run in the full range of spectrums.
Navini Networks is a principal member of the WiMAX Forum and the IEEE 802.16e committee and is headquartered in Richardson, Texas.
http://www.navini.com
(1) This software will be taken to WiMAX Forum certification when the
certification labs open
