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WiMAX Commercial network in Zambia
In July 2007, Microla engineers completed a 5 base station commercial WiMAX roll-out in Zambia, using the Expedience product from Motorola. The client is a large Wireless ISP with a national footprint. The network comprises 3 base stations in the capital Lusaka and a further 2 base stations in the Copperbelt. Internet feeds are supplied via VSAT (not supplied by Microla).
The entire project, including setting up of the provisioning servers, took just 10 days to complete. The ISP now enjoys 100% coverage of the intended area, with 80% of the users being able to connect with an Indoor CPE. Difficult locations will be covered with Outdoor CPEs.
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WiMAX trial in Johannesburg
Microla is currently leasing an Expedience base station to a South African Wireless ISP in Johannesburg for the purpose of conducting WiMAX trials on their 2.5GHz test frequency. The base station is 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 receive full signal strength.
Plans are in place to expand this to a full commercial WiMAX network as soon as the ISP is awarded permanent frequency spectrum by ICASA. The ISP will be able to provide Internet connection, VoIP and IP-TV services over the Expedience network due to the Quality Of Service (QoS) provisions implemented on Expedience.
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Other trial installations
Microla 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, Microla hopes to capitalize on the commercial deployment of some of these networks.
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