The product is targeted at broadband wireless access providers that have a licence to operate services in the 3.5GHz spectrum in this country.  Both companies said they were in discussion with local operators but declined to provide specifics.

The MP.16 is certified to be interoperable with at least three chipset vendors, said Palette Multimedia executive director Sukhdev Singh, referring to chipsets made by Intel, Sequans and Waveset.  

He explained that this eliminates the problem of single vendor lock-in if an operator chooses to set up a WiMAX network using non-certified or proprietary base stations. 

Lionel Chmilewsky, senior vice-president of Proxim International, said the MP.16 is based on the Intel (Rosedale) chipset which ensures maximum WiMAX compatibility.  “Also, we have more than 25 years experience in wireless technology. We spend about US$4mil (about RM15mil) on research and development per quarter, most of which are WiMAX-related,” he said. 

An MP.16 base station has a 15km line-of-sight range, and an up to 5km non-line-of-sight range, it was announced.  The retail starter kit, consisting one MP.16 base station and eight subscriber units, would cost about RM35,000, according to Sukhdev. 

Palette Multimedia, Proxim’s regional partner in Asia, will also provide training to MP.16 customers, to assist them in deploying their WiMAX networks.  

“We are offering Proxim’s Wireless Certification Training, which includes two courses,” Sukhdev said.

Source: Star TechCentral