Alvarion, Safaricom to deploy nationwide WiMAX network in Kenya

8 Oct 2009

Alvarion has announced its selection by Kenyan mobile services provider Safaricom for a three-year turnkey WiMAX project to deploy high-speed broadband services throughout Kenya. Using Alvarion's BreezeMAX solution at 3.5 GHz frequency band, the WiMAX network will enable wireless broadband for residential and corporate users, rural areas, municipalities, banks, schools and universities.

Safaricom, the largest mobile carrier in Kenya and East Africa, provides integrated data and voice communication solutions. The Safaricom WiMAX project will augment the Kenyan undersea fiber optic cable that now connects East Africa to international communications networks. The buildout of this fibre network is aimed at improving the broadband infrastructure in the country. Safaricom is also among several companies participating in this government initiative to bring fibre connectivity to Kenya.

With the commercial implementation of WiMAX, Safaricom will be able to expand into new markets and offer enhanced broadband wireless services to enterprises, residential subscribers, community broadband initiatives, local government connectivity, and a multitude of other value added applications. Alvarion's WiMAX solution will give Safaricom the reach and network capacity to grow its subscriber base by connecting all of Kenya. Alvarion's radio base stations are built with innovations in radios and power amplifiers that enable better coverage and capacity and provide significant reduction in power consumption while creating an environmentally friendly network.

Read the full article on ITNewsAfrica.com