Motorola’s Home & Networks Mobility business has won a deal from Imagine Communication Group to design and deploy an end-to-end WiMAX network in order to replace Imagine’s existing wireless infrastructure in Ireland.
Imagine will use Motorola’s end-to-end WiMAX network to deliver voice and data services to residential and small to medium-sized enterprise customers and offer mobility in city centers, using USB dongles. The offering is also optimised for Imagine to deliver a wholesale voice and data broadband service to other internet service providers.
Reportedly, Imagine is investing €100m in upgrading its existing network infrastructure. A portion of purchase price will be financed by Motorola. Imagine said that the roll out of the new network will create around 200 jobs.
Motorola said that its WiMAX infrastructure, which will operate in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band, will enable Imagine to reach a wider subscriber base, including rural areas, and also help meet the demand for broadband and other IP-based services, such as voice-over-IP (VoIP) in a cost-effective manner.
Motorola claims that its NBBS remote device management software platform will enable Imagine to remotely access, configure, and troubleshoot their full portfolio of WiMAX devices to ensure high quality of service levels, while lowering operational costs, accelerating new service introduction, increasing revenue, and improving customer care.
Sean Bolger, CEO of Imagine Communication Group, said: “Motorola’s globally renowned WiMAX solutions are quick to deploy, flexible and scalable and allow us to meet increasing demand for next-generation voice and broadband data services at home, at work and on the move.”
In addition to WiMAX equipment, Motorola will provide deployment, integration and support services to Imagine. This will include WiMAX Access Points, such as the WAP 450 for increased coverage and capacity in a compact design and the WAP 800 with beam forming antenna techniques for enhanced performance, said Motorola.
For customer premises equipment Imagine will offer the USBw 100 dongle for high speed mobile connectivity; the CPEi 775 which includes a built-in Wi-Fi router and ports for VoIP; and the CPEo 450 which reportedly extends the coverage of broadband and VoIP services, while reducing infrastructure and support costs.
Steve McCaffery, vice president of European sales at Motorola Home & Networks Mobility, said: “Today’s announcement further solidifies Motorola’s global WiMAX leadership position and we are delighted to be partnering with Imagine on this major project, bringing WiMAX to yet another country.
“Operators such as Imagine are selecting WiMAX solutions to offer customers cost-effective and high-quality mobile broadband connections in regions not yet fully served by a fixed broadband infrastructure.”
A portion of purchase price will be financed by Motorola.
