WiMAX: Industry Conceived, Alvarion Delivered

An implementation of the IEEE 802.16 standard, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a standards-based wireless technology providing metropolitan area network connectivity of high-throughput, broadband data and toll-quality voice services in networks covering long distances and wideranges. WiMAX enables scalable, carrier-class solutions to support thousands of users with a single base station, while providing differentiated service levels. A WiMAX Metropolitan Area Network(MAN) is configured in a cellular manner with base stations strategically located to provide metro-area coverage via point-to-multipoint (PMP) wireless connectivity with robust equipment fit for all climates and terrain.

Alvarion embraced the arrival of the WiMAX Forum from the very beginning. As a charter member of this prestigious organization and holding two vice-presidency chairs, Alvarion is helping to lead the industry towards the widespread adoption of standard WiMAX products.

...And Access for All
Driven by the WiMAX Forum, WiMAX certified products will mean standardized and interoperable systems, among various industry vendors, which will result in significant reductions in equipment costs and lower operator risk. Cost reductions will improve business cases, while enabling more affordable and widespread broadband access for business and residential users.

Partnership with Intel
Alvarion's industry leadership and foresight led to its selection by Intel as the first vendor to collaborate on the development of WiMAX products. By April 2005, Alvarion had another first, the incorporation of Intel's pioneering WiMAX chip into the BreezeMAX product line. In the same month, the BreezeMAX PROCPE was showcased in front of numerous operators and media personnel at the WiMAX Forum's Face2Face Event in Malaga, Spain. Performing in a live demonstration, spectators gathered in the Cetecom lab, the official testing lab of the WiMAX Forum, and witnessed triple play (data, voice andvideo) services from a BreezeMAX CPE system, embedded with the Intel chip, PRO/Wireless 5116 broadband interface. All subsequent versions of BreezeMAX CPE, including the self install CPE model, will be embedded with Intel's PRO/Wireless 5116 broadband interface.

Taking WiMAX to the MAX
The launch of Alvarion's BreezeMAX platform in mid-2004 was a key industry milestone and reinforced Alvarion's leading position in the development of WiMAX technology. Leveraging field proven OFDM technology and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) capabilities from the BreezeACCESS® product family, BreezeMAX was deployed commercially in numerous sites around the world within a few months of its launch.

Its deployment in over 30 countries since its introduction means that Alvarion has been instrumental in driving WiMAX to its current place of prominence with major operators. The results of all these efforts have been extremely satisfying, as WiMAX standards have succeeded in moving broadband wireless into a mainstream lastmile solution alongside DSL and cable modems.

Soon the Forum will ratify the IEEE 802.16e standard to realize a mobile broadband version of WiMAX. With this action, the Forum will create an all IP mobile offering that will be capable of connecting users with broadband wherever in the world they may travel. The widespread deployment of mobile will be achieved through volume opportunities for silicon and system suppliers that will result in improved economics for carriers and the extensive deployment of fixed and mobile BWA networks.