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Alvarion Notches WiMAX Win in the US Heartland with Wisper

WiMAX.com

In what is the first dual-frequency deployment of WiMAX radios in the US that I have heard of, Minnesota-based Wisper chooses Alvarion to supply both a 2.5 GHz licensed spectrum solution and a 3.65 GHz lightly regulated spectrum solution. 

I thought this was interesting because Wisper, which obviously already owns licensed 2.5 GHz spectrum, intends to also deploy a 3.65 GHz solution.  This probably should be no surprise as I consider the two technologies in the US to be very compatible and able to serve different customer base segments.  In many ways, it is an ideal mix between serving the portion of a market that is predominately needful of a fixed broadband solution and those for whom mobility is more important. 

Wisper currently serves 21 towns from 18 tower locations and was incorporated in 2005.  Wisper intends its announced rollout to increase capacity up to 600 percent with a dual voice and data offering to its expected marketplace of about 550,000 residents in its Minnesota markets. 

Wisper is based in Melrose, Minnesota and is owned by diversiCOM, Inc.  It markets its product under the DBA Wisper High Speed Internet. 

I think this is an interesting mix of product and a very pragmatic one as well.  Sometimes we in the broadband wireless business become a bit too enamored of one technology, or spectrum range or business model.  At the end of the day, broadband wireless ISP services are just that: A service business.  Whatever tools are used to serve customers profitably for your given situation is the right tool. 

I am a big fan of the 3.65 GHz range, which I think has a lot of promise for independent operators.  It is good to see a company with licensed assets see value in this spectrum range as well. 

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