Korean, Irish carriers choose Navini

Korean carrier KT Corp (formerly Korea Telecom) has announced it’s testing Navini Networks’ broadband fixed wireless equipment, while Irish Broadband said it’s deploying the equipment to provide commercial broadband services in Dublin and other Ireland markets later this year.

The KT Corp trial involves Navini’s 2.3 Ghz Ripwave technology and is being conducted on spectrum targeted for “portable Internet” services by the Korean government. The test is taking place in Seoul, and among the test programs, KT Corp users conduct seamless roaming between the network operator’s Wi-Fi hot spots and the Ripwave system coverage.

Korea has the highest broadband penetration rate in the world, and it also operates more Wi-Fi hot spots than any other traditional telecom carrier.

Regarding the Irish Broadband deployment, the carrier will begin deliver broadband services over the Ripwave system in June to residential and SOHO customers. Over the next year, the carrier will deploy Ripwave base stations throughout Dublin and the surrounding suburbs.--Dan O'Shea

Irish Broadband launched as a company in the summer of 2002 to speed broadband penetration through fixed wireless system deployment.