Spike adds voice to fixed wireless mix

(Telephony) Spike Broadband Systems has introduced a voice services product line that will let fixed wireless broadband service providers bundle telephony services along with high-speed data.

Spike’s Continuum Voice Solutions support both data and voice applications on a single fixed wireless broadband access platform, giving fixed wireless providers ammunition in the battle with cable and DSL providers.

In addition, it is easy to overlay IP-based video into that packaged bundle, if desired, said Cristian Parrino, Spike’s marketing vice president. The company unveiled and demonstrated the system yesterday at the Broadband Wireless World Forum in San Francisco.

“Wireless has been either ‘I’ll give you data or I’ll give you voice.’ What we’re doing is giving you both on a single platform. We’re taking away the risk of deciding if you need a voice-centric system or a data-centric system,” he said.

With Spike’s IP-based platform “you can start with a voice-centric system and as your network evolves and your customer base evolves and you need to move to an IP-centric or data-centric business, you can,” Parrino continued.

The product line, being tested by unnamed service providers, will be shipped in the second quarter, he said. Commercial users will be the initial customer targets, although Parrino did not dismiss the residential market.

“Most of the business plans for our customers focus on entering the higher tier markets first, driving the cost down in the equipment and then moving into the residential business,” he said.

The wireless voice system will be capable of primary line service, Parrino promised, since Spike has adapted cable’s wireline DOCSIS specifications to wireless and “DOCSIS 1.1 has a lot of the QoS requirements needed to run VoIP reliably.”