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WiMAX Commercial network in Zambia
In July 2007, Banzinet engineers completed a commercial WiMAX roll-out in Zambia, using the Expedience product from Motorola. The client is a large Wireless ISP with a national footprint. Internet feeds were supplied by the client via VSAT. The network provides extensive coverage in the capital Lusaka and in the Copperbelt. A further expansion of the network in March 2008 also included the town of Livingstone, near Victoria Falls.
The ISP has achieved 100% coverage of the intended area, with 80% of the users being able to connect with an Indoor CPE. Difficult locations are covered with Outdoor CPEs.
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South African WiMAX license applications
In South Africa, Banzinet has applied for both a test license and a permanent WiMAX frequency license in the 2.5GHz to 2.7GHz band. Banzinet expects the test license to be awarded shortly. We have WiMAX equipment in-country and once the test license is awarded, we plan to run extensive trials in both built-up and rural areas to demonstrate the coverage, throughput and QoS performance of our equipment.
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WiMAX trial in Johannesburg
In 2007, Banzinet conducted WiMAX trials with a South African Wireless ISP in Johannesburg on their 2.5GHz test frequency. The base station was installed on one of the tallest buildings in Johannesburg. The OFDM technology achieves excellent Non Line of Sight (NLOS) coverage of the city, making full use of multi-path reflections from the skyscrapers. Furthermore, line of sight locations as far away as Midrand still received full signal strength.
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Other trial installations
Banzinet has conducted several other WiMAX trial installations and are in discussions with various operators in South Africa, Botswana and other countries.
Some of these discussions are at a sensitive stage, but once the 2.5GHz to 2.7GHz frequency spectrum is allocated in these two countries, Banzinet hopes to capitalize on the commercial deployment of some of these networks.
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