The Mobile Wimax Acceleration Group (M-WAG), a
collaboration of companies demonstrating the business case for
mobileWimax, is to deliver the
firstUK mobile Wimax pilot networkover
2.5GHz in Maidstone, Kent.
The network will go live in April and will be used to conduct
multi-application user trials using mobile Wimax. The network will
cover 7.5 square kilometres from the centre of Maidstone, which is
home to more than 75,000 people and 4,500 businesses.
Once the network goes liveng, M-WAG will begin a range of trials
encompassing services such as mobile
VoIP, real-time high-quality video streaming and live
broadcast. In addition, M-WAG will also be
trialling Wi-Fi to Wimax handover and advanced charging systems
to support any services that may be launched commercially.
Dave Lindsay, IT manager at Maidstone Borough Council, said,
"Maidstone Borough Council has always tried to be forward-looking
and we are keen to be involved with new technologies that can help
us to improve the delivery of existing services and allow us to
launch others.
"M-WAG's network in Maidstone is especially exciting for us as
Mobile Wimax can deliver robust, resilient and secure data
transmission at a much lower cost than other mobile alternatives.
Not only will our residents benefit indirectly through improved,
lower cost services, but those within the network perimeter will be
able to benefit directly through using mobile Wimax at home or for
business."