BellSouth Announces Fixed Wireless Broadband Trial in Daytona, Florida.Business Editors ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 2003 BellSouth Testing Broadband Expansion Options to Efficiently Increase Availability of High-Speed Services to Rural and Remote Locations Throughout the Southeast BellSouth (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : BLS See Bureau of Labor Statistics. ) today announced a trial of wireless broadband High-speed wireless transmission of data. What is "high" speed is always a changing number. Wireless systems are typically slower than land-based, wireline networks. In the past, wireless broadband started at 250 Kbps, whereas land-based broadband was generally considered to start at T1 technology in Daytona, Florida. The trial will examine providing high-speed broadband connections via fixed wireless base stations located in the trial area. BellSouth will utilize trial results to determine if the solution could increase its broadband footprint in the company's nine-state service area in the Southeast. Wireless broadband is designed to serve as an alternative means of high-speed connectivity in areas where traditional wireline broadband services cannot be efficiently deployed. By exploring connectivity over fixed wireless networks, BellSouth could expand its broadband footprint to serve more businesses and consumers with high-speed Internet See broadband. services. "The prospect of a solution that enables BellSouth to quickly deploy broadband to areas where traditional DSL DSL in full Digital Subscriber Line Broadband digital communications connection that operates over standard copper telephone wires. It requires a DSL modem, which splits transmissions into two frequency bands: the lower frequencies for voice (ordinary systems are not cost effective is of significant importance to both our customers and our business," said Bill Smith, chief product development and technology officer, BellSouth. "We're actively studying technologies that are efficient to deploy and will allow us to expand our broadband footprint to a significant base of potential new broadband customers including more rural and remote areas of our territory." Trial participants use a small desktop wireless unit, connected to either an Ethernet or USB port A USB socket on a computer or peripheral device into which a USB cable is plugged. See USB. on their PC, which provides a high-speed, wireless link between a BellSouth transmission tower and users' computers. The trial will be in the 2.3 GHz WCS See Windows CardSpace. band, for which BellSouth holds FCC (1) (Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC, www.fcc.gov) The U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications including wire, cable, radio, TV and satellite. The FCC was created under the U.S. licenses throughout the Southeast, and will offer speeds similar to wireline DSL with approximate download speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps. The trial, which includes multiple base stations covering approximately 150 square miles and up to 100 participants, started in January 2003 and will continue through March 2003. BellSouth is utilizing wireless broadband technology from Navini Networks for the trial. BellSouth has been testing wireless broadband technology for more than two years. The company's first-generation trial in Houma, Louisiana, studied the technical characteristics of fixed wireless broadband technology. BellSouth is now applying results of this study in the current examination of wireless broadband technology for possible deployment as a customer solution across the nine Southeastern states it serves. About Navini Networks Headquartered in Richardson, Texas, the heart of the Telecom Corridor, Navini Networks offers patented wireless broadband technology that addresses the world's need and desire for high-speed Internet access. Navini provides nomadic See nomadic computing. , zero-install, non-line-of-sight infrastructure to allow for anytime, anywhere Web access. Navini Networks' Ripwave(TM) products consist of a base station, customer premise equipment (CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) Communications equipment that resides on the customer's premises. CPE - Customer Premises Equipment ), and element management system (EMS) and run in the 2.3 GHz WCS, 2.4 GHz ISM See ISM band. and MMDS (Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service or Microwave Multipoint Distribution Service) A digital wireless transmission system that works in the 2.2-2.4 GHz range. spectrums. Navini's solution results in a price/performance combination that is superior to other broadband offerings in the marketplace. To date, Navini has received $66.5 million in funding from top-tier investors such as Austin Ventures, Sequoia Capital, Sternhill Partners, and Granite Ventures. For more information on Navini, please visit www.navini.com. About BellSouth Corporation BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, serving more than 44 million customers in the United States and 14 other countries. Consistently recognized for customer satisfaction, BellSouth provides a full array of broadband data solutions to large, medium and small businesses. In the residential market, BellSouth offers DSL high-speed Internet access, advanced voice features and other services. BellSouth also offers long distance service throughout its entire territory, serving both business and residential customers. The company's BellSouth Answers(SM) package combines local and long distance service with an array of calling features; wireless data, voice and e-mail services; and high-speed DSL or dial-up Internet service. BellSouth also provides online and directory advertising services through BellSouth(R) Real Pages(SM).com and The Real Yellow Pages(R). BellSouth owns 40 percent of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless company, which provides innovative data and voice services. |
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