FairPoint uses fixed wireless for rural last mile access

The deployment is one of a dwindling number of fixed WiMAX contracts, as operators move toward mobile WiMAX, which generally offers greater capacities than its predecessor even when deployed in fixed wireless configurations. In June, Nortel abandoned its own mobile WiMAX product line in favor of focusing its efforts on Long Term Evolution (LTE). It remained in the mobile WiMAX business, though, through a partnership with Alvarion. That partnership has already begun the pay dividends; the two vendors have already landed several global contracts, including a deal with Comstar to build a mobile data network covering the entirety of Moscow.

In a recent interview, Nortel WiMAX General Manager Scott Wickware said the Alvarion partnership has allowed the companies to address every carrier in a given market: Nortel and Alvarion together go after Tier 1 providers such as Comstar that are more comfortable working with Tier 1 vendors and integrators, while Alvarion will address smaller and regional operators to whom its smaller size is not that big a consideration. The partnership has opened many doors for Nortel, as Alvarion’s reputation is readily established globally, having had much longer to perfect its base station line, Wickware said. Meanwhile Nortel focuses on the core network, in particular its ASN gateway, he said.