Telmex Unit Plans US$15mn WiMax Investment
The Chilean unit of Mexico's Telmex plans to invest US$15mn in 2007 to build a WiMax network covering 90% of Chile's boroughs by year-end, Telmex Chile general manager Eduardo Díaz-Corona told reporters on Wednesday.
This level of coverage would provide services for 98% of the Chilean population, he said.
Telmex expects the WiMax network to target the corporate segment, particularly SMEs that will now be able to access a vast array of services previously restricted to large corporations.
"We plan to focus on the 500,000 firms that need a top-level communications infrastructure. By using this spectrum we are able to offer the same variety of service to a larger segment with a strong focus on SMEs," Díaz-Corona said.
The new infrastructure will allow Telmex to provide services such as IP telephony, VPNs, remote networks, broadband access and an evolution to mobility.
Further investment and expansion in coverage will be analyzed according to demand for the service, Díaz-Corona said. In the next few weeks Telmex will have a definite decision on the price plans and tariffs for the services over this new network, he added.
Chile's telecoms regulator Subtel awarded Telmex a nationwide Wireless Local Loop (WLL) license in September 2006, with other licenses for Chile's 12 regions all going to triple play provider VTR.
Only on January 3, the government made the concession official by publishing the license awards in the official register and allowing Telmex to operate in the 3,400-3,600MHz band.
The delay in the process was a result of several legal challenges by Chile's incumbent operator Telefónica Chile questioning the government's decision to give Telmex Chile and VTR preferential options on the licenses.
"I do believe the commission of experts working along with Subtel will allow for the sector to solve our problems without going through judicial cases, which will speed up all processes," Díaz-Corona added.
The executive also said the Chilean WiMax network is part of Telmex's regional strategy to expand its portfolio of services. Telmex also plans to deploy WiMax networks in Brazil, Peru, Argentina and Mexico."
Posted to the site on 18th January 2007
