The FCC recently approved Horizon's purchase of the WCS A Block spectrum previously owned by Verizon. Phase I of the deployment will implement service in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Richmond, and Cincinnati.

"We selected Navini due to their experience, customer base and proven technology," said Ron Olexa. "Our objective is to provide wireless last mile access to residential, business and emergency restoration markets. We will start building the network in 1Q07, with a view to ongoing expansion and additional network deployments in the latter part of 2007."

"We are delighted that Horizon has chosen us for this very significant network deployment in major U.S. cities," said Roger Dorf, Navini's president and CEO. "Delivering WiMAX in the U.S. is a key strategic opportunity for us."

This is a turnkey Management and Support Services deal for Navini, which will allow Horizon to make the most of their network from day one. Services include Network IP Design, Turn-Key Deployment Services (Commissioning, Test and Turn-up/ Cabinets and backhaul equipment), Network Management and Support Services, and Network Optimization.

The deployment features Navini's Ripwave MX8 platform that is being certified for 802.16e mobile WiMAX with Navini's Smart WiMAX solution. Smart WiMAX combines the Smart Beamforming technology currently in commercial service around the world, with beamformed MIMO, which can reliably double the data throughput for WiMAX subscribers.

This will allow Horizon Wi-Com to deploy less base stations with more complete coverage and higher speeds.