TVA signs Nortel to conduct Brazilian WiMAX trial

Details: Alec Barton; Category: Wireless Networks; 19 March 2007; 12663 views

TVA, the Brazilian pay TV company, has a business vision of delivering mobile broadband and hyper-connected communications to businesses and consumers alike. For this reason, TVA has commissioned Nortel to work on a WiMAX trial designed to exploit 4G to the maximum...

Preparing for future large-scale deployment of wireless broadband access services across Latin America's largest market, Brazilian pay TV company TVA is building a WiMAX trial network based on innovative 4G solutions and services from Nortel.

The two companies announced a trial agreement at a press event held in São Paulo. Nortel's mobile MIMO-powered WiMAX (802.16e) solution will allow carriers like TVA to deliver true high-speed broadband access, mobile TV and video, VoIP, streaming media, data applications and mobile electronic commerce.

"With 4G/WiMAX, Nortel is changing the economics of the game and positioning carriers to deliver true mobile broadband and a hyper-connected communication experience to businesses and consumers," said Juan Chico, president, Nortel Brazil. "Our trial agreement with TVA will allow us to demonstrate the technology's ability to replicate the user's fixed PC capabilities, such as blogging, video and VoIP, from any location."

Nortel will provide an end-to-end solution including consumer devices, base stations, ASN gateway and professional services for the trial. Testing is scheduled to start in 2Q07 in São Paulo on the 2.5 GHz frequency band. Under the agreement, Nortel will provide the equipment and will be responsible for the deployment, support and maintenance of the entire infrastructure for the trial network.

"TVA has been working to maximise use of the Multi-channel Multipoint Distribution Service spectrum. The first step was video digitalisation, which allows us to offer over 100 channels. Through this trial with Nortel, we can reinforce our efforts to increase our service portfolio moving forward", stated Virgilio Amaral, Director Strategy and Technology, TVA.

Both TVA and Nortel are keen to stress the benefits of WiMAX. Their joint press release declares: "The advantages provided by a WiMAX network are many compared to traditional broadband systems. One example is its flexibility, enabling hybrid connectivity both for wireline and wireless services. Because it does not require fixed lines, deploying a WiMAX network requires one-third the investment of a wired network and improves operator profitability through reduced deployment time, operation and maintenance costs. In addition, WiMAX delivers superior data throughput and mobility, allowing users to stay connected and experience true broadband - even while on the move."

* TVA is the first triple play operator in Brazil, offering home entertainment, information, culture and education to its subscribers through diversified Subscription TV (TVA), broadband Internet (Ajato) and VoIP (TVA Voz) services. It distributes its services via cable (digital and analogue) and via MMDS (digital and analogue) technologies. Today, its product portfolio includes TVA Digital, TVA DVR, TVA HDTV, Portable TVA (Slingbox), Ajato and TVA Voz.

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