Monaco Telecom, a Cable & Wireless affiliate, today announced it is working with Alvarion Ltd. (NASDAQ: ALVR), Cisco® and Nokia (NYSE:NOK) to establish a Center of Excellence on Mobile Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) in the Principality.
This initiative between all four companies will demonstrate the mobility and high-speed features of Mobile WiMAX 802.16e-2005. This new technology will allow customers to enjoy a seamless service and move freely while using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), streaming video and other Internet applications. This capability allows the network to move with the customer - enabling true mobility and improving the experience of the user.
In addition to showcasing personal broadband services, Alvarion's 802.16e-2005-based 4MotionTM solution will be demonstrated and is expected to reach a commercial level during 2008. The Cisco Broadband Wireless Gateway solution is a key component and part of Cisco WiMAX portfolio providing an open WiMAX Access Service Network (ASN) gateway functionality. This latest expansion of Cisco's Service Exchange Framework enables Monaco Telecom to support another access technology. Nokia will contribute with its expertise in mobility and an Internet Tablet compatible with WiMAX 2.5 GHz.
As an active fixed WiMAX provider with an effective deployment running in Tunisia, Monaco Telecom was an ideal partner for such experimentation. Based on its technical knowledge and customer experience, Monaco Telecom intends to improve its expertise in what is a greenfield area.
"The WiMAX strategy and network architecture are essential for us as a global operator to maintain competitive edge and maximize WiMAX capabilities. We envision the Center of Excellence as the manifestation of best-of-breed WiMAX, and with an ultimate result of implementation in different networks around the world, said Denis Martin, CEO of Monaco Telecom.
"Working with Alvarion, Cisco and Monaco Telecom is a great step towards making Mobile WiMAX available for consumers and fits perfectly with our strategy of offering a broad and innovative portfolio of devices. said Ari Virtanen, Vice President, Convergence Products, Nokia.
"We are excited about working with Cisco, Monaco Telecom and Nokia, said Tzvika Friedman, president and CEO of Alvarion. "We are continuing implementations with leading device manufactures as Nokia, and global operators such as Cable & Wireless via Monaco Telecom. Cisco's Broadband Wireless Gateway can allow seamless integration with Nokia's WiMAX-enabled devices; IOT is part of our OPENâ„¢ WiMAX approach to increase innovation and services for the benefit of our customers.
"Broadband services are increasingly important to the lives of individuals and the economic development of many countries, said Larry Lang, Cisco vice president and general manager of the Services and Mobility Business Unit. "We are seeing significant demand for the delivery of Internet access and Internet Protocol-based services over wireless access technologies, and this opportunity to work with Monaco Telecom, Nokia and Alvarion with WiMAX is an exciting example of how this demand can be effectively met.
About Alvarion
With more than 3 million units deployed in over 150 countries, Alvarion (www.alvarion.com) is the world's leading provider of innovative wireless broadband network solutions enabling personal broadband to improve lifestyles and productivity with portable and mobile data, VoIP, video and other services.
Alvarion is leading the market to Open WiMAX architecture with the most extensive deployments and proven product portfolio in the industry covering the full range of frequency bands with both fixed and mobile solutions. Alvarion's products enable the delivery of personal mobile broadband, business and residential broadband access, corporate VPNs, toll quality telephony, mobile base station feeding, hotspot coverage extension, community interconnection, public safety communications, and mobile voice and data.
As a wireless broadband pioneer, Alvarion has been driving and delivering innovations for over 10 years from core technology developments to creating and promoting industry standards. Leveraging its key roles in the IEEE and HiperMAN standards committees and experience in deploying OFDM-based systems, the Company's prominent work in the WiMAX Forum is focused on increasing the widespread adoption of standards-based products in the wireless broadband market and leading the entire industry to Open WiMAX solutions.
You may request Alvarion's future press releases or a complete Investor Kit by contacting Kika Stayerman, kika.stayerman@alvarion.com or +972.3.767.4159.
About Monaco Telecom
Monaco Telecom is the incumbent full service operator providing fixed, mobile, Internet access and TV to the Principality of Monaco for over 70 years. Monaco Telecom retains a strong commitment to providing the latest services along with the highest quality customer service.
Internationally, Monaco Telecom's strategy is one of working with key local partners building, high quality mobile networks, in niche markets along with broadband capability whilst growing satellite services in Africa and the Mediterranean region.
49% of the capital of Monaco Telecom is currently owned by the UK-based Cable & Wireless Group, 45% by the Monaco government, and 6% by the Compagnie Monégasque de Banque.
Further information can be found at www.monaco.mc.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides equipment, solutions and services for communications networks.
www.nokia.com
About Cisco
Cisco, (NASDAQ: CSCO), is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.