DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 3, 2006–Aspen Communications has announced the rollout of a city wide infrastructure for wireless broadband service providers beginning in mid-March. The company is hoping to further capitalize on the spread of the popular WiMAX wireless technology which, among other features is bringing broadband access to rural communities where conventional cable and dsl is not currently available.
WiMAX is an acronym for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access which uses the 802.16 spectrum to wirelessly send information. WiMAX technology is considered better than WiFi because it can provide higher speeds over longer distances (up to 30 miles) and may be less prone to interference and line of sight issues.
Aspen has created an initial network of 12 buildings and towers (all having higher elevations and/or roof-tops to provide for a more expansive coverage area) and connected these sights with over 380 miles of fiber across Dallas and Fort Worth. The initial network rollout will use the Gigabit Ethernet protocol to provide up to 1000 Mbps speeds. They hope to have twice that many buildings online by fourth quarter 2006.
By bundling a turn-key solution that includes back-haul, Internet access, network services, co-location, and WiMAX tower sites all with one vendor, Aspen thinks that they can attract some of the exploding Dallas Fort Worth WiMAX market. One exciting feature for wireless service providers is they will be able to allocate bandwidth anywhere across the Aspen network with only incremental charges, as opposed to having to purchase new circuits at every location. Currently, Aspen has six wireless service providers using their network.
“Running fiber between high rise buildings, carrier hotels and potential WiMAX tower locations is not the core focus of our wireless service provider clients,” says Aspen’s Sales & Marketing Director Rocky Ahmann. “Our turn-key solution takes care of the back end and lets them focus on what they do best — servicing their customers.”
Aspen’s network of fiber and wireless facilities currently spans Dallas, North Dallas, Fort Worth and East Texas; and in February they will light McKinney, Grapevine and Frisco.
“In a few months, we will be able to deliver a 10 Mbps connection on a 300 foot tower in McKinney for under $1500 per month which is unheard of today,” says Ahmann.
He believes that this will lower costs for the consumers while at the same time improving their connectivity. Wireless is commonly used in rural communities where cable and dsl is not available; however, new and innovative technologies such as WiMAX will offer a myriad of potential applications for rural and metro areas.
The cities of Philadelphia, Addison and Anaheim are also currently deploying a WiMAX infrastructure for their cities.
For more information go to http://www.AspenTX.com
