Alvarion Wins Pan-Caribbean WiMAX Contracts

Alvarion says that it has signed a master supply agreement with Caribbean based Digicel Group to deploy a WiMAX network throughout the Caribbean region in a major initiative over the next few years. Alvarion was selected following a successful commercial deployment of its 802.16e solution in Grand Cayman in 2007.

As part of the master supply agreement, Alvarion, along with its OPEN WiMAX partners, will provide an end-to-end WiMAX offering based on AlvarionÃ's Mobile WiMAX solution. The agreement also includes a comprehensive package of professional services.

Based on the success of the Grand Cayman deployment, Digicel is moving quickly to deploy WiMAX in additional markets to deliver primary voice, data VPN and residential broadband to both corporate and residential customers. The rapid service uptake in Grand Cayman illustrates the current demand for WiMAX-enabled primary broadband services, even in a market with high broadband penetration. Digicel reached double-digit market share after only a few months of operation fully loading the network, which has recently been expanded to meet customer demand.

"We are proud to extend our relationship as a strategic partner with Digicel," said Tzvika Friedman, President and CEO of Alvarion. "Digicel is as an example of a highly capable customer leveraging its assets for expanding service offering and achieving growth, while providing advanced and unique services to its customers. After extensive and rigorous testing among major WiMAX telecom equipment manufacturers, we were selected to offer Primary Broadband as an alternative for the local incumbent, followed by Personal Broadband as the natural expansion for cellular businesses. Building on the successful deployment in 2007, we look forward to helping this valued customer meet the unique service requirements of its millions of subscribers throughout the Caribbean."

Posted to the site on 5th April 2008