Cisco Wins Thailand WiMAX Contract

Thailand's TT&T is deploying the first Cisco based WiMAX network in Asia Pacific at Mae Fah Luang University. This will also be the first production WiMAX network in Thailand once the rollout is completed in September.

Located in Chiang Rai province in north Thailand, Mae Fah Luang University selected TT&T to deploy the network after it obtained a WiMAX license as part of the Pilot Tele-Center for Rural Area Education and Development Project.

Before deciding to collaborate with Cisco, TT&T tested Cisco Mobile WiMAX in a school in Bangkok and found that the equipment was able to sustain impressive data throughput speeds even at a range of five to seven kilometers away in non line-of-sight conditions.

Dr. Tatchapol Poshyanonoda, managing director of Cisco Thailand, said: "Cisco is pleased to be given this opportunity to be part of the first operational rollout of a WiMAX network in Thailand. Mobile WiMAX enables high-speed broadband services to be deployed in remote and rugged environments like Chiang Rai, which will help bridge the digital divide in Thailand. Once the project is completed, the staff and students in Mae Fah Luang University will be able to enjoy a richer educational environment that will fully employ voice, video, data and mobility services over the WiMAX network."

Cisco Mobile WiMAX combines both adaptive beamforming and beamformed multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technologies, two advancements uniquely combined to push the capabilities of broadband wireless networks. The unique combination doubles the data throughput for mobile WiMAX, extends the range, and enhances the signal strength. Cisco also said that in many places where standard signals cannot be received, the enhanced beamformed MIMO signal has the power and performance to break through.

Posted to the site on 26th August 2008