SLT, WiMAX tie-up for broadband access

Sri Lanka Telecom, signed MoUs with Aperto Networks, USA and SR Telecom, Canada to provide a new wireless broadband solution known as WiMAX.

Worldwide Interoperability for Micro Wave Access (WiMAX) is an emerging technology using radio frequencies to give wireless broadband access (instead of Copper wires) to the customers.

Aperto Networks and SR Telecom will provide radio access and core network elements for WiMAX, and a team from SLT, SR Telecom and Aperto's engineering staff will work together within this framework for a trial testing.

SLT CEO, Shuhei Anan said that, "by leveraging our synergies, I am confident that both companies will be able to be in the forefront of the upcoming mobile and broadband access revolution." He added that WiMAX has enormous potential and that the decision to partner Aperto Networks and SR Telecom will enhance the mobile broadband services in the country.

WiMax is considered to be a more cost effective broadband technology in near future than traditional wire-line based technologies such as ADSL and dialup lines.

Local partner for Aperto Prasanna Meemaduma said that they consider it a privilege to sign this MoU with SLT and hope to work closely with them. SLT is the first to roll out WiMax network in South Asia and the project will be completed within the next two years. The local partner of SR Telecom Tealeaftec Consulting was also present at the occasion.

WiMAX technology is used to provide broadband connectivity to customers by using microwaves. This technology enables for voice, high speed Internet connectivity, email, fax, data and services such as audio and video streaming. WiMax uses 3.5 GHz frequency band and is used widely in India, Thailand, and the Philippines. This technology is particularly used to provide broadband data (or Internet) connectivity to remote areas.