Virtual network operator (VNO) Vanco is claiming to be the first
managed services provider to deliver
WiMAX access to a corporate Wide Area Network, rolling out such
a service to retailer Somerfield.
The supermarket chain will pilot the WiMAX solution at its
Manchester sites as an alternative to a leased line to deliver
primary access to the company IT network where DSL is not
available; to deliver back-up access where DSL is the primary
access method; and to provide a disaster recovery solution.
At some point this month, March 2008,
Somerfield will
be operating live services without having to undergo new build-outs
in its datacentre; it expects the new wireless solution to plug
into the existing resources. Within the life of its service
contract, Somerfield will have wireless network access within 50 UK
cities.
Explaining the rationale for the deal, Steve McKeaveney, Vanco’s
Global Head of Technical Consulting told Computer Weekly that his
company was ready to capitalise on a latent demand for wireless
services.
He commented, “Last mile access has been a major limitation in
telecommunications. There is a lack of choice and innovation in
DSL; Altnets [Fixed alternative network operators] deliver services
based on PTT products and new services are slow to market and
patchy. Wireless technologies are breaking the restrictions
globally and wireless technologies will offer enhanced service and
cost efficiency. [In addition] wireless will be an enabler in
developing regions.”
The choice of WiMAX is intriguing for all businesses as
currently it can offer, where available, symmetrical services
delivering typical bandwidth levels up to 10Mbps at a range of up
to 10Km. In contrast, 3G-based wireless broadband solutions such as
HSPA and EV/DO offer greater coverage areas but at a reduced
throughput and are asymmetrical.
Technology agnostic Vanco regards the wireless solution as being
cost-effective and competitive to DSL. It believes that wireless
can be an excellent backup solution providing genuine diversity and
improved service availability compared to DSL with multiple access
points and lower repair times due to simplicity of solution. Most
importantly in the context of business critical networks, Vanco is
confident that it can offer wireless customers class of service
guarantees based on Committed DataRate and/or Network IP
Awareness.
However the VNO does concede that wirless still has a number of
challenges including knowing when it is the right technology;
certification of the technology and numerous providers; security
concerns; the competitive nature of the market; and building an
appropriate solution for enterprises.