Israel Authorises Test of WiMAX Networks

Israel's Ministry of Communications has granted approval to MIRS to launch two trial WiMAX networks in Tel Aviv and Ashkelon. The approval is given in order to enable a technical experiment and an integration experiment, designed to examine and to lay out the technical format for the provision of various broadband, mobile telephony, and multimedia and data communication services, using WiMax technology.

MIRS Communications is a subsidiary of Motorola and currently operates an iDEN mobile phone network. According to figures from the Mobile World database, the company ended Q1 '08 with an estimated 417,000 subscribers - representing a market share of just under 5%.

Minister of Communications Ariel Attias: "The experiment will allow the company to utilize the advantages of this innovative technology for the benefit of the residents of the region,"

In Tel Aviv, a technical experiment will be carried out to test the technological applicability of the network and the possibility to adapt it to the delivery of WiMAX communication services for mobile broadband access in an urban area.

In The Ashkelon area, the experiment is an integration experiment, designed to test the feasibility and capabilities of a system which will transmit and process video communication, integrated with a control system designed to handle emergency situations - specifically the Ministry cited rocket attacks from Palestinian militants. In this experiment, one will be able to transmit pictures from remote controlled cameras installed on vehicles and rooftops, to a control center, that can by itself be a mobile or fixed communications center.

Both experiments are limited for a maximum period of one year.

Posted to the site on 17th July 2008